Scogg

It’s tough to see, but a bit more clear on the eBay listing https://ebay.us/m/gf3qxN Best, -Sam

I have officially planned my trip! Coast to coast! Looking forward to meeting some of the east coast folks. All the best, -Sam

I think it's worth mentioning for the sake of broader discussion the possibility that additional mekugi-ana can, in some instances, be added later with the intent of making a nakago appear older or mounted more over time. I’m not suggesting that’s what’s happening here, only that it’s an idea I’ve come across in conversations with more knowledgable collectors than myself; and it may be another angle to keep in mind when looking at unusual examples like this. -Sam

I’ve always found it a little confusing as to why the terms are used the way they are. I think what we’re dealing with is literal translations versus what collectors have normalized. I imagine it would be hard to change. This link explains how the terms are generally used. While it helps explain the semantics of the topic, I think it has also helped solidify those semantics into the collector colloquialism. https://japaneseswordindex.com/showato.htm I’m sure someone who is fluent in Japanese has a better understanding than me. All the best, -Sam

Thanks Bruce, @djthomas1, I have relocated your inquiry to the Military Swords of Japan section. I think it fits more appropriately in this section, and I believe you'll get better and more focused input here. Below is your image oriented so people can read it more easily. Best of luck, -Sam (Image mirrored for some reason)

For sale on eBay currently. https://ebay.us/m/9cY45W Not my item, -Sam

Just donated $50 to Brian's paypal for the: "2. Ikebana, Japanese Flower Arrangement, John March-Penney" Send me a pm when you're ready to ship @Marius, and i'll provide address and shipping $$. My wife will be pleased. Thanks again! -Sam

Conway has got it, and with good advice on the oil. I use camellia oil also. It’s listed as “Type 19 Company Grade Cavalry Officer’s Dress Sword” in Dawson’s in chapter 8 page 104. Dawson states at the chapters beginning that on July 6th 1886 this sword was introduced exclusively for cavelry officers; and was a modification of the Type 8 riding sword for officers. * * Dawson, Jim. Swords of Imperial Japan, 1868–1945. Cyclopedia ed. Newnan, Ga.: Stenger-Scott Publishing, 2007. The chapter shows a few different blade types for this style of sword, even a German blade example. I imagine this is one of Suya Shoten’s blade profile options? Best, -Sam

The correct orientation of the cover is the second image in the link. I will share it below. Although, I think Marcin was asking for help locating and translating the copyright page, not the cover.

Here is an interesting Type 95 Guntō, with some "bling". I'm sharing here rather than the 95 threads, because these unique features are not factory original. Note the Habaki, leather hanger, and most interestingly those "monkey’s-fist knot" mekugi and grommet screws. https://www.ima-usa.com/products/original-wwii-Japanese-army-type-95-nco-aluminum-handle-katana-sword-with-rare-leather-hanger-matched-serial-79051?variant=41101181190213 Already sold, not sure when. -Sam

With the parts you have, plus the parts pictured below. You should have a complete Type 95 gunto. Scabbard has likely been repainted since the war, but otherwise original. Like Rob has said, you would be preserving some history, it will be much easier to sell, and for more. Best of luck, -Sam

They were original Amongst the last batch produced by Iijima and one of the last few produced with a brass tsuba. The scabbard also had matching numbers. Kind of significant to someone like me... Once they get parted out and sold separately , there's no getting them back together again. -Sam

Anyone have the gumption to give Cillo a call? His number is right there on the copywrite page. If no one volunteers, I'd be happy to give him a ring and ask some questions. Respectfully, and for the sake of curiosity of course. -Sam

Believe it or not, that's actually correct for the aluminum hilt and wood hilt Type 95 swords. The only Japanese Sword that I'm aware of where this isn't an automatic fake identifier. It's not super well known, because it’s generally recommended that you do not take these swords apart. All the early, copper variants had aligned machi. Best, -Sam

It looks like it was bought on eBay just a couple months ago in Febuary; was then stripped or parted out, and now is being sold here

What happened to the original and matching Type 95 fittings that this sword came with? They were with this sword very recently, but are now gone? (Tsuka, Ferrule/Fuchi, Matching Scabbard with stamp on the drag)

You do see a little variety in the style and depth of serial number on these late war Variation #8 examples, but it still looks OK to me. Same style as on the 200k side latch aluminum examples too, as can be seen on ohmuras link here http://ohmura-study.net/791.html I think it’s hard to use the nakago as an identifier, because I suspect it’s been heavily abused/altered and the hamachi moved. The nakagojiri on these, although seldom seen, is straight. All that said, I’ve been wrong before and I’m sure I will be again Best, -Sam

Here’s a nearby serial number that appeared on Reddit. Also with some post-war work, but more tastefully done

That’s an ugly one . This started out as a Variation #8 wood-hilt Type 95, probably made in 1944, but it’s been pretty heavily messed with. I have the high/low range of this variation between 203306 and 218821. It’s missing the pommel, mekugi, tsuba, and seppa. The ferrule (fuchi) looks original, but the clip’s been cut off or removed. You can still see the chūkan (the clip housing). At some point it was painted that same brassy color you see on parts of the scabbard. The scabbard itself is a Nagoya scabbard, so that's correct, but the clip opening at the throat has been filed off, or replaced. And the blade’s been buffed to oblivion, which also softens the edges of the serial number making it look weird. I think it's real, but looks like heavily damaged post-war “bubba” work to me. I would avoid. -Sam

There are 3 Richard Fuller and Ron Gregory oshigata paperback books that I’m aware of. I have one of each in my library. They are well known books, but hard to find. Swordsmiths of Japan 1926-1945 is 275 pages. The Oshigata book is 144 pages. Showa Swordsmiths is 80 pages.

@The Blacksmith If you mean the first photos, where that screw mekugi punctures the ito. That’s a “Variation #2” sword with Suya Shoten ferrule stamp. Both Suya and Iijima had the mekugi puncture the ito like that for a very narrow serial number range right after the copper hilt Variation 1 swords. Gifu had a slightly different mekugi situation where the Ito kind of bends around the mekugi. June 24th 1939 the hilt pattern was changed so the mekugi would go through the diamonds and no longer interfere with the ito. They did this by making the wrap pattern symmetrical whereas before it was asymmetrical. Copper hilt swords only have the grommet and no mekugi unless they are field repairs. My example up there looks like a copper, but really it’s aluminum #7249 Best, -Sam

Good question. The sword on the right represents what Jim Dawson’s cyclopedia refers to as a “2a pattern”. These swords have thick seppa that have a cutout for the retention clip, and also the tsuba is more thin than other aluminum hilt steel tsuba Variation4 swords. The missing mekugi is unrelated, and was probably lost or damaged when somebody tried to disassemble it. I put the bamboo mekugi in there for security. It is currently my interpretation that these thick seppa and thin tsuba “Dawsons 2a” swords are indeed factory repairs or field repairs. You find this unusual configuration scattered amongst all top-latch variations and on both Tokyo and Nagoya stamped blades. My photos are an attempt to show those differences next to a “more standard” and what I believe to be a factory original variation 4 sword. Other interpretations may vary… -Sam

My pleasure @The Blacksmith Russ! Thank you very much for the kind words. I still consider it a "work in progress". For what it's worth, and for those interested. Currently I am collecting each variation so that I can take more standardized "professional" looking photographs. Hope to update the document to the "Second Edition" around its 1 year anniversary. -Sam Here's a little sneak peak of the "work in progress". Had to shrink file size for this post, and I am still fine tuning stuff

That's an ugly one! Maybe I should add "Hexagon Mekugi" to my document's fake identifier list I also spend some time cataloging fake serial numbers. Unfortunately this one can't easily be cataloged - fortunately swords like this are easy to spot -Sam

I wonder what could have chewed up the Nakago like that. I can not imagine why something like that would be done intentionally. Wartime damage perhaps? Would love to see more of the sword. -Sam