Scogg

I’m going to try to get ahold of the seller. I’ll let you know if I end up acquiring it. I know he’ll be at another show in about a month, but I am hoping I can make him an offer sooner. Thank you Conway! Cheers, -Sam

Has anyone ever encountered one of these “E & F. Hörster Type 19 Army Field Grade Kyu-gunto”? I think I found one locally, and considered buying it, but it looked so unfamiliar with that straight blade and double bohi. It appeared chrome plated. Been regretting not picking it up. I might try to find it again, if it’s still available. Cheers, Sam Page 32 from: Swords of imperial Japan 1868-1945 Cyclopedia Edition by Jim Dawson

I’ve been intrigued by these swords too, the one I’ve encountered was pretty sturdy and cool. I am surprised I’m the first to chime in, but you might get more traction in the military swords of Japan section. While I continue cataloging Type 95s, I’ll keep an eye out for you Cheers, -Sam

Safe travels everyone. Looking forward to seeing some of y’all tomorrow I hear there might be some demonstrations going on, that I’m looking forward to seeing. Cheers! -Sam

So I’m not an expert, but I very recently have been cataloging these. I have several swords on file with the same pattern, and stamp configuration. The ‘Iijima Sword Factory stamp’ and the ‘Kokura 4 cannonball stamp’ seem to be intermixed with swords that have @John C ‘s stamp configuration with the ‘Tokyo First Arsenal’s Star’ instead of the kokura cannonballs. One of the swords in particular, a very near serial number, is listed as having a “copper plated alloy Fuchi”, which is an anomaly on my list. Can you confirm or deny what the Fuchi might be made out of, and if it looks plated? Edit: my apologies, I see now that it’s a for sale listing and not in hand. I think it looks real, but I’d like more opinions too. Cheers, -Sam

Tsuba = Guard Seppa = "Washers" that go on both sides of the tsuba. Tsuka = Grip / handle. Fuchi =the cap at the end of the handle where it meets the Tsuba(guard) Kabutogane = Metal fitting at butt of the grip. Called a kashira on katana fittings, and on my source below. And if you have any further questions, below is my source: Hope this helps! Cheers, -Sam https://nihonto.com/about-swords/diagrams-terminology/#:~:text=Fuchi – The cap at the,secure the scabbard when drawn.

Thank you Conway, those are new to me! Thank you too, @Bruce Pennington, but I’ve got that one. It’s one of the more informative threads though, and full of great info and images. I have a lot of reading to do! Have you done any cataloging of 95s, like you do with other gunto? Cheers, -Sam

Perhaps a cloud, or a leaf like the motif on the bottom? I think a bird is a good guess too. The swirly zougan work reminds me of a piece I have. Also in poor shape, unless you catch the light just right (see below). Also mystery origin, but I figure mine is not particularly nice. I like it though, and I like yours! Cheers, -Sam

Hi Tom, that's very generous of you! I'd love to take you up on that. I live a bit north, in a suburb of the dreaded Portland Metro area. Coincidentally, soon I am hoping to visit another collector (also named Tom ) in Roseburg! Maybe I can combine my trip/visits. I'll reach out if and when I plan on making that drive, and coordinate with you . (hopefully Feb or March) Thanks again! Cheers, -Sam

Reviving this thread from the dead. I did my best to collaborate all the relevant links already shared, and hope it helps anyone who might be reading along. I'm diving into the study of type 95s, and have collected these links. I also have the Fuller & Gregory books, and Dawsons Cyclopedia. @BANGBANGSAN @Kiipu @Bruce Pennington tagging ya'll incase you have any recommendations. Am I missing any critical publications, links, downloads, or information not already included in this thread? How did members like @Shamsy know which serial numbers related to manufacture years? Thanks for reading, Cheers, -Sam Types/general: http://ohmura-study.net/957.html Blade: http://ohmura-study.net/791.html Tsuka: http://ohmura-study.net/792.html Saya: http://ohmura-study.net/793.html Stamps: http://ohmura-study.net/794.html 1 Copper example: https://www.guntoartswords.com/010737.html Page one: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/31314-Japanese-type-95-sword-for-ncos/#comment-320720 https://www.warrelic...ype-95-gunto-676112/ https://www.warrelic...o-sword-info-228172/ Tassels: https://www.warrelic...-788442/#post2154241 https://www.jacar.ar...mage-en/C01005289200 https://www.jacar.ar...mage-en/C01005222500

Let's not allow this to get into the negativity realm. You should collect Tsuba, if it interests you. But you are correct, it is a difficult hobby, and the learning curve will be steep. You could always try getting an affordable (to you) tsuba, and see how it interests you in-hand, and then decide after that. While apples and oranges are both fruits.. Apples are to oranges, what an old government stamp is to an antique oil painting. To each their own, my friend. Godspeed, -Sam

Stunning, Steve! A blade worthy of such koshirae should probably live in shirasaya anyway. Maybe the best course of action is leaving the koshirae as-is, and getting a tachi in shirasaya to display alongside it. Just an idea, Cheers, -Sam

If we're still in the Hamon, and prior to nie and nioi identification... Next, do we look at boshi? Fully prepared to be wrong , -Sam

Thanks for the serial# info, Bruce. That's interesting! It's a shame @Shamsy and others are no longer active. Are there currently any leading experts on NCO 95s? I've been reading a lot about 95s, and hope to become pretty knowledgeable (after a few years maybe). Sorry Eric! Very cool side latch, and very hard to find! One of those models I keep an eye out for. Cheers, -Sam

Is the last sword photo in that thread, the wooden handle on page 3, a genuine example? I have never seen an NCO in the 300k serial number range. I had previously thought they only went up to ~200k+ Cheers, -Sam

Hi Jacob, I would argue that you're comparing apples and oranges here. Tsuba are considered handmade crafts, and works of art. Whereas coins and stamps are mass produced by the govt, turned collectibles. If each individual coin/stamp was designed by an artist and then hammered/cut out by-hand, you would see similar issues amongst coins/stamps. All in all, I would encourage you to collect whatever you like! In my experience, nothing worth doing is easy. And best of luck on your collection journey -Sam

I'll be there! I'll likely spend a majority of my time at the show on Saturday. I am not sure if I will make it on Friday (flying in that afternoon). I'll be traveling with my wife. I'm going for swords, she's going for the Vegas restaurants; not yet sure which will cost us more Looking forward to seeing you Adam, and any other forum members who may be in attendance. I'd love to hear about your Chikafusa! Cheers, -Sam

Can we see the torokusho from Showa 16? Maybe a typo or mis-translation as Showa 26 would be 1951? Here's an interesting write-up detailing post-war sword production: https://www.Japanese...ndex.com/history.htm All the best, -Sam

I once purchased an item I liked, listed as an 'obidome' - that ended up being a repurposed kashira from a sword. Tosogu can be repurposed all sorts of ways, and I imagine stand-alone menuki like yours would be a perfect candidate. Looks like it was originally a menuki to me! Below is a photo of my item, converted to an obidome (so you can see what that might look like), then I non-invasively converted it into a bolo-tie . Thank you for sharing. Cheers, -Sam

Hi Steve, are you trying to determine how many swords MORINOBU and KANENOBU might have forged during their lifetimes? You could theoretically assume the amount of swords any particular smith could make during their career. But you could never determine how many of those swords were destroyed/lost during the conflict, and furthermore how many were destroyed after the war. Maybe someday we'll have some rough numbers; if Bruce keeps cataloging All the best, -Sam

I don't think English is Jaques first language; and I have also occasionally gotten confused. Maybe he can help clarify, or possibly reword the question? Absolutely NO offense intended - I WISH I was multilingual . I am also diagnosed dyslexic... Further complicating things on my end. Cheers, -Sam

Stunning Adam! I imagine you're very proud to own such an amazing work of art and history. I love the sugata, it screams 'old'. I imagine the sword offers endless enjoyment in-hand. Color me jealous Cheers, -Sam

For hamon, I typically oscillate between 3 and 4 But I likely go through each step to see what gets revealed

I am inclined to agree with Dee, Rob, and Polaria That being said, I took a really hard look at #1 also. Do the chain links on that one not join vertically down the center seam? Is this a feature on this type of chain, or perhaps the sign of a fake? (Area in question highlighted with red line). Seems a recipe for entanglement. Thanks Hamfish, Good for study. -Sam

I fear we are playing the part of unpaid editors and producers of his Amazon books. His book is harmful to the collecting community, being nothing but circumstantial conspiracy theories copy and pasted from his posts on THIS forum. How is a new collector to know his book is less credible than another? He knows what he's doing is unethical. Otherwise he wouldn't be so defensive about his book. Ever met an author who doesn't want to market their material? I understand my words are not "flowers and rainbows" - so delete if needed. But this is the way I see it. Are we helping him write another? -Sam