The Question On All Our Minds

[Shamsy]

Good morning/evening all,

 

The dreaded question that I'm sure bothers us all at some stage.... real or fake/repro.

 

I have been collecting IJA Sword for a few years now. I make no claim to be an expert and freely admit I bought before I read the books.

 

Having said that, I can tell the difference between most fake/repro I see floating around. There are a few items though that I am just not sure about. My experience is limited, so I hope the good folk here may be able to assist.

 

There are two swords in question. The first was sold as a very late war Type 98 Officers Sword. The fittings are all very low quality and were I to see the sword now I would be wary. However, it also displays all the correct signs of age and has a curious sticker on the saya, where the combat cover has worn away. The blade is also seemingly well made and correct. Having read Military Swords of Japan, I'm currently undecided on this one.

 

Secondly a side locking Type 95, purchased from a seller that has been called 'quality' on this very site andsaid to have 35 years of experience. I also very much trust the gent, though I have no doubt he does neglect minor aspects of some of his sales. The hilt here is a lower quality casting and the serial stamping is not the nice deep rolled kind as on my other 95's. I had his assurance it is authentic, plus it has been said that the Chinese do not fake a lot of the side lock. From the US. I know that centers varied somewhat in manufacturing.

 

Opinions welcomed and encouraged please. I have a lot to learn, so please help me here with these two unknowns. Photo coming!

[Grey Doffin]

The blade with the Gifu Ken sticker is real; I've seen those before and I doubt the Chinese know of them.  The NCO I'm not sure of.  There is a strange angle where the mune disappears into the habaki that doesn't look right.

Grey

[Shamsy]

The blade with the Gifu Ken sticker is real

Grey

Thanks you so much Grey. That is a big relief. My instincts said yes, but the poor quality fittings made me doubt, since Japanese craftsmanship is usually so stringent. It also happens to be my favorite sword. NCO... I'm also not certain, but again it shows all the right signs of age and is consistent with my other 95's in scale and wear.

[brannow]

Late war side latch NCO.  Real as it gets!

[Stephen]

Both late war, the latter from Seki Cutlery company and kinda rare according to F&G. The poor casting of tsuba often confuses, seen one with better tsuba as well. 

[Shamsy]

Both late war, the latter from Seki Cutlery company and kinda rare according to F&G

 

Apologies for my ignorance, who or what is/are F&G?

[Marius]

http://www.amazon.com/Military-Swords-1868-1945-Richard-Fuller/dp/1854091832

[Shamsy]

I'm embarrassed to admit I thought of that 1 minute after posting. I actually have that book to, plus their later and more complete reference.

[Brian]

I would have called fake on the NCO but am happy to defer to those with more knowledge of these than myself. Sounds like it is a known variant.

 

Brian

[ROKUJURO]

......My instincts said yes, but the poor quality fittings made me doubt, since Japanese craftsmanship is usually so stringent. ........

Shamsy,

 

these are war time swords and have nothing to do with NIHONTO. They were factory made in thousands and there is no craftsmanship involved. There are hand-forged blades in existence which were made in traditional ways.

[uwe]

I can confirm that the one with the cast tsuka is very likely a true late war production. I saw such a piece on a flea market in the formerly known GDR. Hence befor 1990 in an isolated market Tsuka had the same color!

[Shamsy]

I went searching for the reference to the Seki sticker Stephen mentioned in F&G and finally found it. Matches perfectly, and when I read that it was rare, I couldn't help but grin.

 

In 'Military Swords of Japan' Plate 51 seems to show the same sword as the 95 I have above. Now, the issues I had with this one to begin with was the cruder casting and the seemingly 'hammered' numbers, but the casting at least seems to be validated as a cruder emergency pattern and opinion seems to suggest it is genuine.

 

Thank you agin to everyone who assisted. I've enjoyed reading through the books again, so was a very worthwhile exercise.