Pilot Sword

[Kiipu]

And one more Type 98 for the record.

Something different..., Post #1344

[Bruce Pennington]

Plimpton

 

Couldn’t find a book by “Chang & Jensen-Jones”.  Jensen-Jones is an arms researcher and works for Headstamp publishing.

 

At least Plimpton stated that the sword was custom made. That much I agree with.

 

@Kiipu @BANGBANGSAN @SteveM

Know of any wartime references to “Tojo-in gunto?

[John C]

He is/was the editor of the journal "Armax: The Journal of Contemporary Arms." The info is probably in a journal article. It should be listed in Plimpton's bibliography.

John C.

[SteveM]

@Bruce Pennington

 

I don't have any WW2 references at hand, but I see on Ohmura's site where he mentions Tōjōin Guntō. He mentions its not a formal designation of sword, and that its more-or-less a "catch-all" phrase for any sword shorter than the regulation 62-63cm sword. 

 

He says these swords come about because either the soldier has a short sword he wants to outfit in military kit and bring with him, or the soldier is working in someplace with limited space (tanks, planes, submarines). But he also notes that regulation size swords were issued to, and used in, the aforementioned tanks, planes, and submarines, so the "Tōjōin" sword shouldn't be taken to mean any government-approved size or use. 

 

http://ohmura-study.net/760.html

 

Edit: Tōjōin translates to "crew member", or someone who works in a cabin or cockpit or ship.

 

[Ontario_Archaeology]

6 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

Plimpton

 

Couldn’t find a book by “Chang & Jensen-Jones”.  Jensen-Jones is an arms researcher and works for Headstamp publishing.

 

At least Plimpton stated that the sword was custom made. That much I agree with.

 

@Kiipu @BANGBANGSAN @SteveM

Know of any wartime references to “Tojo-in gunto?

I purchased this from Plimpton, I will post some more pictures if you'd like. 
 

If you have followed my posts for a while you would know I am obsessed with small gunto. I saw the Plimpton youtube video and saw it hanging on the wall and even before I knew swords were going to come up for sale I was trying to find a  way to purchase it. I think it was fait. 

[Ian B3HR2UH]

Hi Matthew , I see that your earlier post says that the Majors name was on the wooden liner but in the book it is said to be " on the blade "

 That doesn't say much about the author . I for one would like to see some more pictures . The wood under the fuchi would be interesting to me .

Ian Brooks

[Ontario_Archaeology]

5 hours ago, Ian B3HR2UH said:

Hi Matthew , I see that your earlier post says that the Majors name was on the wooden liner but in the book it is said to be " on the blade "

 That doesn't say much about the author . I for one would like to see some more pictures . The wood under the fuchi would be interesting to me .

Ian Brooks

 

[Ian B3HR2UH]

Thanks Matt , I must admit that I expected to see a piece of new wood under the fuchi but what is there looks absolutely right . The cream coloured binding in the Plimpton book looked way off as well whereas the colour in your photo looks correct . What is the blade like ?

Ian Brooks

[Ontario_Archaeology]

 

 

 

I can take more photos in a day or two if you'd like.

[Bruce Pennington]

Great photo of an Army NCO aviator with his full-length Type 95!  Found on this Wehrmacht-awards Thread.

 

[Polaria]

Has anyone ever found a wakizashi blade with arsenal stamps or military inspection stamps of any kind?

 

Because I have the feeling that the full size blade was the military standard for all gunto and wakizashi blades in gunto koshirae are privately sourced custom weapons.

[Bruce Pennington]

37 minutes ago, Polaria said:

Has anyone ever found a wakizashi blade with arsenal stamps or military inspection stamps of any kind?

 

Because I have the feeling that the full size blade was the military standard for all gunto and wakizashi blades in gunto koshirae are privately sourced custom weapons.

Mikko,

You are right, however there are always exception. 

Out of 400+ Mantetsu, I have 3 waki on file, 2 look to have been made that way

Out of over 700+ stamped blades, I have 4 or 5 waki that look to have been made that way.

 

So yes, if you see a waki fitted for the war, it was likely an older blade, brought or bought or donated for the war.

[Polaria]

I am surpriced that there are stamped wakizashis, even though the number seems to be small. Then again many type 98's have unstamped blades so maybe there are a couple of similarly made unstamped wakizashis in gunto mounts somewhere.