A Type 32. . .

[Peter Bleed]

Should I be embarrassed to admit that I bought a Type 32 cavalry sword today?  Well I did. What the heck,  boredom is a terrible affliction, and the price seemed right. Like any new acquisition this sword has also given me reason to do some reading Thank you Jim Dawson and Rich Fuller.

I don’t recall a great deal of attention to these guys here on NMB, but I am willing to request advice. This sword is in “as found condition.” It is dirty, has some old oil, and some very light rust. I think it has  a blued scabbard which needs to be preserved. I am sure that a responsible IJA trooper could (and would) clean this in something a bit stronger than Brasso to make it presentable at inspection. But what is the policy among collector.

Rust on,  or rust off, please….? 

Peter

[PNSSHOGUN]

Nothing wrong with them, I wish I'd picked up one for cheap to add to the collection.

[Brian]

Rust off, but minimal polishing. Try and preserve patina. No bright and shiny steel or brass.

[lonely panet]

Make sure the leather finger loop is in good condition and looked after.

 

edit, phone crashed as I wrote this

 

type 32s are the longest serving model of the IJA approx. 1899 to 1945

[Shamsy]

The usual, Peter. No active rust but generally the removal of ‘proof of age’ is frowned upon. I leave all my swords in ‘as found’ condition, bar active rust. I don't think some tidying hurts though, like carefully cleaning off a machined blade. Each to their own.

 

32s are a fantastic sword and still very common and cheap. There's several variations from two basic patterns as well, so one can easily ‘collect’ these swords. I've toyed with the idea a few times, but there's still a lot of 95s on my list demanding attention.

[Bruce Pennington]

Peter,

 

Is yours the Ko or Otsu? Finger loop present? How about some pics (serial numbers, stamps on handguard, etc).!

[lonely panet]

if you  don't know what KO and OTSU, they refer the 2 variations in the model of type 32 or AKA 1899 troopers sword.

 

KO- was issued to the cavalry and had a blade of approx. 32 inches depending on how much sharpening has occurred. also they have a very small thin drag on the end of the saya.

 

OTSU- was issued to almost every branch in the military and has a blade of approx. 30 inches  and has a very notably heaver drag on the saya.

 

hope this helps

 

 

[Peter Bleed]

You guys! Trying to engage the wonderful experts who come to NMB in issues that I think are either important or engaging usually comes to naught. But i buy this GD sabre and you want me to come up with specifics. Grrr.   Well, let me be positive, Thank you Hamfish and Bruce for keeping me on task.

The sword is just 32 3/4 so that makes it a KO, it has matching 5 digit serial number (75780) and has NO leather  finger loop altho I could talk myself into believing that the hole in the guard has been reworked. I have NOT attacked it with WD40 and steel wool, but that has been added to my "to do list." Indeed there are marks on the outside of the guard, but they are small and hard to see.I'll let the next owner puzzle over them!

Thank you for your interest!

Peter

[Augusto Motolo]

I like this sword, i have a cavalry one and need of an infantry version

[Bruce Pennington]

Nice example Augusto!

[Peter Bleed]

Augusto,

Indeed you do present a wonderful cavalry rig. Thank you. You have clearly had to work hard on that material.

Let me say that some years ago I, too, owned a very nice Japanese cavalry saddle. I bought it from the estate of a Sand Hills cowboy who had been swept up in the Occupation Army. Of all the wonderful stuff this fellow might have sent home, he decided that he needed a saddle. As a cowboy from cattle country, he also packed up a bunch of odd straps and such.I'm sure it was a pretty rare bunch of stuff.  It was very well made and gave lie to the common story that Japanese leather is not good. Still, I had a very hard time find a home for this bit of militaria. I would be interested in learning the history of your kit.

Again, thanks

Peter

[Augusto Motolo]

Augusto,

Indeed you do present a wonderful cavalry rig. Thank you. You have clearly had to work hard on that material.

Let me say that some years ago I, too, owned a very nice Japanese cavalry saddle. I bought it from the estate of a Sand Hills cowboy who had been swept up in the Occupation Army. Of all the wonderful stuff this fellow might have sent home, he decided that he needed a saddle. As a cowboy from cattle country, he also packed up a bunch of odd straps and such.I'm sure it was a pretty rare bunch of stuff.  It was very well made and gave lie to the common story that Japanese leather is not good. Still, I had a very hard time find a home for this bit of militaria. I would be interested in learning the history of your kit.

Again, thanks

Peter

 

In a group of Japanese items i buy a leather bags from cavalry saddle, before i try sell it, than i have the opportunity to buy a saddle from an U.S boy in facebook, in italy at military festival i known one man who have a type 32, than in ebay, Japan and facebook i buy all the rest of items and make an complete Japanese cavallry saddle, i make an officer saddle too :-), if you like i can help you a make another one :-)

[Mister Gunto]

A nice condition Type 32 Ko is definately on my "to get" list.

 

My understanding is that the leather finger loops were often removed during arsenal refurbishment, with even the attchment hole in the guard being filled in sometimes. Guess they decided at some point the strap wasn't really neccessary. 

[lonely panet]

that is also my understanding when this model was been refurbished. they even replaced the leather seppa with metal ones.

 

IMHO I think the removal of the finger loop was due to change in warfare, "IE" how many cavalry charges or mounted attaches took place at the start of ww2. 

[Shamsy]

The finger loop was removed because it interfered when wearing gloves.