Scogg

Hi John, Welcome to the forum! Some good advice on page 1 of this thread about collecting, also worth checking out the "FAQ" and "downloads" section of this forum. That being said, it eventually boils down to personal preferences and budget. If you are able, I would recommend getting to a sword show or two and handling some swords - to see what "speaks" to your interests. If you do, make sure you study up on proper handling and etiquette, because it's very important: https://swordsofjapan.com/nihonto-library/nbthk-etiquette/ I collect both WW2 and older blades, because I simply could not make that choice for myself. I like my wartime swords in "untouched" condition, while I prefer older swords to be papered and in good polish. To each their own! Don't forget the options to collect fittings or armor too . All the best, -Sam

Very nice, Bruce! I always really liked those green ito + combat cover civ guntos. I once had one in very similar fittings. A hirazukuri wakizashi in civ gunto fittings and leather combat cover. Might even be the same fuchi/kashira... Unfortunately, I sold this one a while back; to prioritize another sword project. I think I will always regret letting this one go -Sam

They are definitely more rare, and it’s something that myself, as someone interested in Type 95’s, would desire. I only have about a half dozen cataloged. The problem is, some of these obscure “transitional differences” like the no bohi Suya’s, are so unknown by the general collecting population - that it doesn’t seem to affect price much, if at all. Some people might even try to point it out as a sign of a fake, not ever having seen one like it. Generally the early serial numbers, condition, and the pattern types drive the price more. The rarity makes them cooler if you ask me though, and I’d pay an extra little bit for one if I were in the market. -Sam

Sorry for being off topic, I nearly mistook @loiner1965 for @Lewis B , because they have nearly identical profile pictures Just a heads-up, All the best, -Sam

No biggie. Feel free to add more photos to this thread - but you may have to resize or crop down your images. I saw your posts on reddit so I got to see the fittings over there. As far as authentication goes, Ray Singer there is someone that I would trust. Otherwise, depending on where you are in the US, there are various shows throughout the year you could bring your sword to be examined. There's one in San Francisco, Chicago, Orlando, and Vegas. I'm in no position to opine on weather or not it's a false signature (gimei), But there are some here on the forum that have that eye. Best of luck, -Sam

@Jcusiman08 I deleted the duplicate in the "Military Swords Of Japan", because I believe your blade to be a Nihonto. I will mention though, that your blade is currently in WW2 Type 98 fittings with a nice cutout tsuba. @Ray Singer Included this link in the now deleted post, I figured I'd carry it over here - I hope you do not mind. https://nihonto.com/the-yasutsugu-school-康継系/ There is another duplicate thread in the translation section, but the legitimacy of the mei is relevant. Any further cleaning up I'll leave to @Brian All the best, -Sam

This fake is very common and obvious with the decorative blade. That being said, here is a lesson in safety and how NOT to photograph swords. Even though it’s fake, holding a sword out with one hand, and taking photos with the other, on a mobile raised step ladder?! Glad this guy survived to post his fake .. Safety is no accident, -Sam

@EryrWen I’m going to move this discussion over to the “Military Swords of Japan” section, because I think it fits better there and you may get more feedback. All the best, -Sam

Your sword is the Pattern 2 configuration, with aluminum handle and brass tsuba. Based on it's serial number and stamps, I would say it's not particularly early or late. It's my belief that the pattern 2 configuration was continued into the later parts of the war at least from the Iijima factory. It is not entirely clear what date the transition from Pattern 2 to Pattern 3 happened at every arsenal or sword shop. Some of these finer details and transitional dates are what I am committed to investigating. @Kiipu may or may not have more information for us. Cool sword! -Sam

Hi Domi, Yes, this is possible. If the sword underwent a field repair/replacement the scabbard may not have been re-serialized. I actually have a Type95 in my collection without a number on the scabbard. The Type95 in your photos is a Nagoya Arsenal blade, bearing the fuchi stamps: 'Sakura Ichi', Nagoya 名, and the Kokura arsenal four stacked cannonballs. Because it was still under the Kokura arsenal it dates prior to September 1942... Someone else might be able to narrow it down, but I would conservatively say between June 1939 and September 1942. The Orange/Brown tassel is pretty desirable too, but I'll allow someone who's more familiar on those to comment about that. All the best, -Sam

It is not for an NCO gunto. I have seen a near identical one in reference to Civilian Gunto. I've attached a photo of it - listed as "fig leaf". See comments from @Bruce Pennington on the thread linked below: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/32654-iron-civilian-gunto-tsuba/ Hope this helps, -Sam

These types of fittings are often called "Kyu Gunto" (old military sword) fittings, and they were made from around 1875 to 1934 - when it was replaced by the more traditional looking shin gunto. I am not familiar with that stamp, but will be following along to learn about it! Thanks for sharing this big collection with us. It's been fun seeing all your clasped hands sarute, and your variety of swords. I'll miss it when you run out of blades! All the best, -Sam

Not sure if your fall dates will line up... If they do, this is on my bucket list of sword events to attend: https://nihonto.com/2025-dai-token-ichi-tokyo-Japan/

My pleasure @TBSM! It's a really nice looking replica, and the photographs are conveniently 'far away'... I think it would fool many. Feel free to inquire about any future Japanese swords that you're interested in. We're always here and happy to help All the best, -Sam

Hi Matei, welcome to the forum, I am confident that the sword in your photos is a fake or a replica. The telltale signs are the bohi terminating early, the indented rather than raised samegawa, the large sarute, and like Rawa said - the stamps on the blade and fuchi are a bit off. All the best, -Sam

Thanks guys. This one threw me for a loop. It helps to get some knowledgable views outside the peanut gallery that is Facebook Much appreciated, -Sam

I think the blade is real, but the heavily modified nature of the whole piece made me more suspect than hopeful. With the steel tsuba and very corroded clip, and the pierced ito with the mekugi like the pattern 2 transitional variants. The big exaggerated sarute is typical of many fakes too. I’m on the fence about a lot of it, primarily the tsuka/sarute. But you could be totally right; it could be an authentic but heavily repaired/modified example

Really bummed I won’t be able to make it to this show to see the Yamashiro exhibit. One of these years I hope to attend. Still got to do both the Chicago, and Orlando shows to complete my USA sword show circuit Already booked SF though, so there’s something to look forward to -Sam

Here is one that was recently shared to the facebook military swords of Japan group. A tricky one, but look closely. Wrong tsuba for the #, wrong large sarute, mekugi in the pattern2 placement. I believe it may be a mix of real and fake parts. What are your thoughts and observations? -Sam

You’re always welcome to share photos here of your sword. I think we’ve got some members from the Indiana area. Also, it might be worth contacting the Indiana token kai https://indianatokenkai.wixsite.com/indiana-token-kai Best of luck, -Sam

Bummer! Maybe you can locate it on the ground somewhere. If it just fell out easily, it probably was unthreaded or possibly damaged. You can find a replacement or a copy. Not ideal, but the screw is a pretty minor part so I wouldn't sweat it too much. If you were to sell it, I'd just disclose that you replaced the missing mekugi screw. I don't know anything about this particular seller, but this is the part you're looking for: https://www.ebay.com/itm/196866959064?

My apologies, I see now that was a rather cryptic statement on my part. Nothing to worry about, in my opinion. I recently started cataloging type 95 swords that I encounter. I don’t have any others that have those three stamps in that general serial number range. Most around 117k that I have listed have stamps from Tokyo arsenal and Suya sword company. I believe it’s simply because my list is not complete or all encompassing. Your stamps indicate that it was made in nagoya arsenal by the seki sword co. Kiipu’s warrelics link helps explain that a little better then I can. It’s a rabbit hole of info learning about these. I see these swords sell between $750 and $1500 lately. All the best, -Sam

You've got the stamps correct : Seki Corporate Logo, Nagoya 名 , and the Kokura four stacked cannonballs. The kokura stacked cannonball stamp changed in September 1942, so your sword was presumably made prior to that date.. My cataloging and knowledge is far from complete; but your serial number and stamps stand alone on my list - making it difficult to compare to others. That being said, it looks good and in nice condition. A nice looking example, Thanks for sharing! -Sam

Thanks for those photos Steve, While I am no expert, and being able to identify Mumei blades is challenging for me. It REALLY reminds me of a Type 98 Sue Bizen (late muromachi period, bizen school) blade that I once owned. Below are photos of the one that I had. I sold it a while back. Therefore, I'd put my money on Sue Bizen, . https://nihonto.com/a-brief-study-of-bizen-blades-of-the-muromachi-era/ Other, more experienced opinions may vary, -Sam

There may be (or may not be) stamps on the FUCHI, which is the collar piece on the top of the handle, under the Tsuba. It looks like your FUCHI is copper, so there should be some stamps visible. I think I can just barely see one of them on your first images. Here's a photo example of the stamps I am interested in - (Not my photo. I pulled this image from google.)