zook Posted April 23, 2019 Report Posted April 23, 2019 ]In another thread I mentioned a new acquisition ... nothing rare, but quite the opposite (in condition) of the one I am restoring. It's from an unknown seller (non-dealer) that I had been chatting with in the States. He said he had swords (posted several on ebay) and shared a few pics of a Type 95. They weren't the best pics, but enough to make me think it would be a nice pick-up. I sent him money and crossed my fingers. The sword arrived last week. Pics attached. 2 Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted April 23, 2019 Report Posted April 23, 2019 That’s a beauty Dan! The Tokyo star should put the manufacture date at or after late ‘40, early ‘41. Stengel or Shamsy might be able to narrow that based on serial number. Quote
vajo Posted April 23, 2019 Report Posted April 23, 2019 Perfect NCO, i wish i had one like this. 1 Quote
zook Posted April 24, 2019 Author Report Posted April 24, 2019 Thanks guys - It's my 2nd Suya. First one (on right in attached photo) is curious because it has a striker mark for the screw, but no screw (and the paint is all period). It's a bit odd, but I saw Matt Brice had one up for sale last Fall with the same issue - striker mark but not drilled. I didn't get the serial number from the listing but I have sent a note to Matt via Facebook to see if he still has it. I am curious if it is part of a batch or something. I wonder if Bruce or Steve have seen these previously. Dan Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted April 24, 2019 Report Posted April 24, 2019 Dan, That's unique! And I have not seen that before. Shamsy probably has, though you might PM him to check. Quote
Stegel Posted April 24, 2019 Report Posted April 24, 2019 Nice pick up Dan, Good clean examples are IMO the best to seek out and get. Your second example with the undrilled handle is interesting, as it makes me wonder if it had been replaced over the last few years. I say this as there were quite a few undrilled handles for sale a few years back. Heres some pics of what was on offer, mainly aluminium handles but also some minty copper ones from memory. All were from different sellers and all had the fuchi attached, but no locking hook inserted. Aluminium: another... Copper: 1 Quote
zook Posted April 24, 2019 Author Report Posted April 24, 2019 Interesting point Stegel - I've had modern repairs (paint) done in 1970s/80s on other WW2 militaria (non-Japanese) I own, and I can often tell pigment change (modern paint) with black light. No such difference noted. So, I wonder if a theory is (a) it was not drilled or (b) the handle change was done in period timeframe by Japanese ... since paint appears to match. I don't know. Dan Quote
Shamsy Posted April 24, 2019 Report Posted April 24, 2019 As Stegel has already said, I have seen a few undrilled handles for sale. I suspect some were added to swords later to increase value and curiosity. I think these are genuine frankly, because they are such high quality. I've never seen a fake or repro close. Having said that, I've not had one in hand, so can't be sure. 1 Quote
BANGBANGSAN Posted April 24, 2019 Report Posted April 24, 2019 Perfect NCO, i wish i had one like this. Sometimes Ebay has NCO in that condition 1 Quote
IJASWORDS Posted April 25, 2019 Report Posted April 25, 2019 This one takes pride of place in my NCO collection. 6 Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted April 25, 2019 Report Posted April 25, 2019 Neil! I just shake my head and laugh out of astonishment. Where do you get these things!?!?! 1 Quote
vajo Posted April 25, 2019 Report Posted April 25, 2019 This one takes pride of place in my NCO collection. Neil, it looks like produced 1942 and the stored untouched 70 years in a safe. It is incredible. 1 Quote
Shamsy Posted April 25, 2019 Report Posted April 25, 2019 The best part about that 95 Neil is that neither of the tsuka screws are in the least bit damaged, meaning that there is little to no chance that the tsuka was repainted. I have a couple of copper handles in similar mint condition. One at least had a leather combat cover that protected the saya. The other I'm not sure. Both have leather sarute, one ruined unfortunately. Your sword may have been wartime refurbished, or perhaps it had an easy life or was forgotten. Lovely example, though I like field wear on all my swords. Just preference. 1 Quote
BANGBANGSAN Posted April 25, 2019 Report Posted April 25, 2019 This one takes pride of place in my NCO collection. Neil That's the best condition NCO ! 1 Quote
vajo Posted April 25, 2019 Report Posted April 25, 2019 I cant stop looking on that pictures. To see how they look as they came out of the factory is a very good experience. Thanks for sharing it Neil. 1 Quote
Stegel Posted April 26, 2019 Report Posted April 26, 2019 Ease up Lads! He hasn't shown us the rusty and pitted blade that's housed inside! 1 Quote
Stegel Posted April 26, 2019 Report Posted April 26, 2019 Damn Neil, Vajo needs more pictures to look at.... ok, i'd like to see them too! but i need to see numbers!! Cheers 1 Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted April 26, 2019 Report Posted April 26, 2019 Can't say I've ever really had an interest in NCO swords until this thread, some real beauties so far. 1 Quote
IJASWORDS Posted April 26, 2019 Report Posted April 26, 2019 More photos attached. Nice try Stegel, the blade is as "brand new" condition as you would expect. Ok the brass fittings show 77 years of patina. There has never been any polishing or restoration. The blade is very sharp, undamaged. 4 Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.