Scogg

I think Kiipu is speaking of blades that we have seen the tang and machi alignment. Rare to see on the Type 95. For your records, 857 belonged to a friend of mine and has a 東 stamp on the tang. Serial number 4 is my lowest recorded. Serial number 71 is the lowest that I've personally observed photos of; and it has the cutout for habaki. But we have not seen the tang or the ha-machi/mune-machi for this blade. https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/22385-type-95-nco-copper-hilt/ All the best, -Sam

This can happen when copy/pasting from another app or translator program. When pasting, you will be prompted with an option to "post as plain text instead", and that will fix the formatting. I recently encountered something similar when copy/pasting from my phone notes app and my text looked good to me, but those in dark mode could not read it. @Gerry123, I'm going to relocate your post to the Nihonto section, because I feel it better fits that category. Like has been said, there is not anything that is obviously military issue that I can dicern. Best of luck, -Sam

Here is a really fascinating thread from Nick Komiya about the Type 32 Gunto production. It includes a document on a change in tassel production which I thought was interesting and attached below. https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/Japanese-militaria/system-kaizen-behind-type-32-gunto-production-1930s-788442/ I have two tassels that I beleive display the before/after of this change. Left tassel looks greasy from antique leather conditioner. Regards, -Sam

Hi Chris, The blade has 関 stamp which is for SEKI = 名古屋陸軍造兵廠関監督班 = Seki Supervisory Unit of Nagoya Army Arsenal. Your sword was likely made around June/July of 1944. No doubt in my mind that it's 100% genuine. Great looking example of the Pattern#5 (or Variation#8) Type 95 Gunto. -Sam (Also, that's a great book )

Here’s what I believe is an Akasaka tsuba, from my collection with this feature. Thanks for creating this thread, I’ve always been curious about it. -Sam

As far as I am aware, amongst the metal hilt Type 95 Gunto, only the copper variant had aligned machi. All aluminum variants of which that I have seen the nakago; have misaligned machi. I do not know about the wooden variants, but I suspect that they are also misaligned. Even my early aluminum transitional pattern has misaligned machi. So it appears, according to my interpretation, that the introduction of misaligned machi occured at the transition from copper to aluminum hilt in 1938. Photos below serial number #857 Copper, and #7249 Aluminum. To those reading along... I do not recommend disassembling your Type 95 swords. Bruce and I have a lot of experience with these; and are doing this with extreme care and for educational purposes. There's very little information to gain from taking them apart. All the best, -Sam

I see a lot to be excited about with your sword. I'm sure I'm not speaking for myself when saying, I'd love to see the nakago! My guess, with some thanks to our prior discussions, would be high quality old Bizen... From photos, I think it looks very nice. Best of luck, and looking forward to what Shinsa has to say. -Sam

Hi Dan, It’s already implied that uncited conversational comments are your opinions. Calling someone a “snob” is name-calling, and accusing others of being part of a conspiracy to benefit restoration businesses, something you’ve entirely fabricated, can be viewed as slander. In the opinion of others, you are sharing bad advice and therefore receiving pushback for it. If that makes you feel intimidated, ridiculed, berated, or belittled, that is your perception, but it does not justify personal attacks or spreading false claims. This forum is explicitly for the study and preservation of genuine Japanese swords and fittings. I sincerely hope that means we’re all “snobs” when it comes to this stuff. -Sam

The dimensions of the tsuba look funky to me; the circumference seems small. The drilled mekugi ana seems unusually placed. The kobutogane has some extra material around the ana for the sarute that I’m not familiar with seeing. All that being said, I’d still like to see more photos… You do see some weird stuff sometimes with WW2 swords. I’ll relocate the thread to the military section for some more eyes. We can always move it again if needed. Sincerely, -Sam

We’ll need more photos to make an informed assessment. Please use a dark, non-reflective background. Helpful images would include: a full length shot of the sugata taken straight from above, close ups of the munemachi and hamachi, and clear photos of both sides of the nakago. As mentioned above, some detailed shots of the tsuba would also be useful. If genuine, it may or may not have a stamp somewhere around the ana. With some more photos, I can relocate the thread to the appropriate section whether that’s here, the military section, or the fake section. Regards, -Sam

Hi Jeffree, BONJI can be tough to identify, but I think you're correct with KANMAN FUDŌ. It is definitely a Nihonto; but in very poor condition as you've noted. It is difficult to say whether or not it would be worth restoring, and for that you may need to get it into the hands of a qualified TOGISHI (professionally trained Nihonto polisher). I'm up in the Portland area, but I spend quite a bit of time down in Eugene. If you want someone to take a look in person, and chat about the sword, feel free to reach out. (Edit: I’m a collector and enthusiast, not an expert.) All the best, -Sam

I would have some concern that modern adhesives could contribute to corrosion of the seppa and may be difficult to remove without affecting the existing patina or wear. A similar approach without adhesive would achieve the same result while reducing risk to the parts. Just a thought. Best regards, -Sam

Some documents on the Type 95 Military Sword Leather Tassel. I'm neglecting to offer my google translations because they are not perfectly accurate; and I do not want to mislead in the interpretations. Source: Rules for wearing sword knot of saber Model 95 (remodeled sword guard): https://www.jacar.archives.go.jp/das/image-en/C01005289200 Firearms Section notification: Model 95 saber wearing and carrying guidelines: https://www.jacar.archives.go.jp/das/image-en/C01005222500

@chgruener I will relocate this to the Military Swords of Japan section, as it better fits that category. I think you'll get some additional input there. Best of luck, -Sam

That’s a very nice field grade example John. I’ve been looking for one of those for my field grade E&F Horster/SUYA Kyu Gunto. A couple company grade kyu gunto tassels that I recently picked up. One is a bit worn and dirty, the other looks nearly new and in a box.

Brian Tchernega did a wonderful presentation on tsukamaki. He brought tsuka dating from the muromachi period onward, and did a demonstration of a couple different wrapping styles. Some pretty incredible and old tsuka that he allowed us to admire. It was really cool to watch and be able to ask questions.

ホ = HO = 小倉陸軍造兵廠第一製造所 = 1st Factory of Kokura Army Arsenal All the best, -Sam

Here’s a couple that I took. The only mantetsu that I’ve found here

Finally found one for you @Bruce Pennington

Got another one for you @John C At the Vegas arms show

Thanks Bruce. In the text Dawson mentions a different example pictured in his 1996 edition. I wonder if anyone has that version, and would be willing to share a photo? Best of luck Seth, -Sam

About to fly out to Vegas for the sword show, but before I leave I flipped through my copy of Swords of imperial Japan 1868-1945 Cyclopedia Edition by Jim Dawson. The back strap of your sword is reminiscent but not identical to the “Sea plant and waves custom sword” on page 244 and 245.

Really interesting. I believe Conway is onto something. The blade appears to be the precise length of the Type 32 Otsu (rather than the Koh). Both serial numbers align with the with Type 32 Otsu range as well. Maybe some close measurements would confirm or deny. Stamp on the drag may be: ホ = HO = 小倉陸軍造兵廠第一製造所 = 1st Factory of Kokura Army Arsenal Nick Komiya’s thread and photo on warrelics: https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/Japanese-militaria/how-type-32-sword-born-791000/

Hi @ChrisW, Is that last blade the one you got from me a while back? If so, I can confirm it appears to be traditionally made . I also suspect wartime manufacture, but I was a bit on-the-fence about it being possibly slightly older... Best of luck with your sales, -Sam