Hello everyone,
I’m hoping to get some help identifying and appraising a Japanese sword. It appears to be a WWII-era piece, possibly a Type 95 NCO sword, but it has some unusual features that don’t quite match standard examples.
Here are the key details:
The handle is solid brass, not painted aluminum or leather-wrapped.
The scabbard is copper/brass with kanji and symbols, some of which appear to be plated in brass.
The markings on the tang include 昭和十五年, indicating a 1940 production date.
There are raised, not stamped, markings on the blade and scabbard has matching markings in brass plating.
There is some minor corrosion on the scabbard, but overall the sword appears to be in good, unrestored condition.
My questions:
Has anyone seen a similar version of a sword like this?
Could this be a high-ranking officer’s or a presentation/ceremonial sword?
Does the raised kanji indicate anything specific about the manufacturer or unit?
Recommendations for preserving it (e.g., museum wax?) before I proceed with an appraisal?
Photos are attached (or I can provide more on request). I’d appreciate any input from collectors or historians familiar with Japanese swords of this era. Thanks in advance for your help!
