Type 95 Gunto Worksheet

[Kiipu]

Based upon the serial number of 110808東, it was made by Iijima in 1942.

[dpast32]

THANK YOU My Friend, very much appreciated ! I knew it must have been at least somewhere during the mid War period, simply because of the iron fittings. I originally had 2 of these years ago, but as the example with the all brass tsuba was missing the scabbard throat piece, I decided to keep this & get rid off the other. You Folks have piqued my interest quite a bit after mentioning a possible Arctic / Cold Weather type variant, I am curious as to if mine is of that variety ? We never really think of the Japanese Forces being in other than the tropical, dense jungle islands, but they did indeed serve in Northern China, the Kuril chain of islands, etc. 

 

     Best,  Dom P.

[Bruce Pennington]

Plus Adak, Alaska.

Here's a pic supplied by @Stegel from his collection:

[dpast32]

 
 

Hey, THANKS Bruce, I appreciate that nice array of 'specialized' issue Type 95's. However my concern now is that my particular example is definitely not any shade of either tan, beige. & or even white, but resembles what I view as an dull light shade of silver, for lack of a better description. This fact naturally concerns me, especially 'if' no other examples of this particular shade have been reported by other Collectors, & or Researchers ? Also, as I mentioned earlier, it appears to have been very well executed paint job, which the very top portion is painted black, right around & above the scabbard ring. { Just thinking off hand, if someone decided to repaint an old scabbard, why would they take the trouble to utilize a dual paint scheme, as opposed to A simple overall silver ? This is of course only my off hand speculation, which I assume means nothing overall ? } 

I had since yesterday located m Sword, so now can take some new photos, this time in much better lighting conditions ! Hopefully, between your overall knowledge of this Series, & perhaps a couple of other Collectors / Researchers, just maybe we'll be able to arrive at a theory regarding my 'light, dull' silver colored Scabbard ? Of course, ANY & ALL replies, comments, or input will be most deeply appreciated !! THANK YOU

 

         Best,    Dom P.  /  'dpast32'

Edited March 9 by dpast32
2 Scabbard Color Photos added

[Bruce Pennington]

I realize our cameras and room lighting quite often affect coloration, but it sure looks white in these photos.  I'll chase @Stegel out of hibernation and get his comment.

[dpast32]

THANK YOU Bruce, very much !! As always, your very kind assistance is deeply appreciated ! I should also probably try to get a nice, clear photo[s] of Mfgr.'s / Arsenal stamping, although based upon your previous assessment, it may not be necessary ? I'll eagerly await your, & or your Friend's kind reply !!

 

       Best,   Dom

[John C]

Looks as if there are some scratched areas in the paint. Under a loupe, can you see any evidence of an original color around the edges?

 

John C.

[dpast32]

10-04 on that John, will look into that as soon as I get a chance. Honestly didn’t even think about that myself ? I was advised that it was exactly as taken from the Veteran’s Widow who brought into my Friends Shop to sell. However, we all are aware just how much credence to place on such stories, right. The only actual point of argument with this particular ‘story’ is the fact that I was in the realm of a son to the Dealer, & therefore have a very difficult time believing he would have ‘willfully’ misinformed me. Yet, we don’t know what, when & how of what occurred with the Sword prior to my obtaining it, so literally anything is possible ? Hopefully, just maybe the under coat investigation may prove revealing ? Please stay tuned.

 

       Best,   Dom P.

[Conway S]

Here's one just posted on eBay with a similar paint job on the saya. Note the tsuba is also overpainted with this silver/white color. 

 

Japanese Sword Army NCO WW2 Type 95 ? Samurai / Katana / Shin Gunto ? STAMPS

 

Conway 

[Conway S]

[dpast32]

THANK YOU Conway, I really appreciate that ! I wish that only the Scabbard was in 'my' color, therefore still allowing some possibility if it having been if original vintage. I fear that due to multiple sections being over painted, that to me doesn't lend any credence to its originality ? That Scabbard has had me concerned for years now, primarily due to my never having encountered another like example. Thankfully though, everything else appears as issued. One potential, albeit far fetched theory of mine has been the possibility of it being Japanese Naval issue, & or done in that color for some, presently unknown purpose ? { Well, it's nice to dream, right ? } Hopefully more information, & or even similar examples may turn up ? I plan of posting my Arsenal Inspection Stamps data tomorrow, time permitting.  

 

                   Best,  Dom P.

[Conway S]

Well you have a good study piece and if you look around on the forum you will find lots of other color variations on type 95 saya. Black and gold seem to be the most common non-standard variations with lots of discussion on when the paint may have been applied. The mysteries are one of the things that make collecting fun. 

 

Conway 

[dpast32]

Good Morning Folks, THANKS to Conway's calling my attention to the very similar example to mine. [ Noted above per the included eBay Auction Link ] After a brief assessment of both examples, it becomes clear that they are, at least visually quite similar. Also, the very top, the pommel if that's the proper term, rather than exhibiting an over paint, in the same color as the Scabbard, it believe it 'might' possibly be simple wear over the years which has worn away the original finish, & therefore now accounts for the visual 'difference' we observe ? Now again, this possible 'theory' on my part is simply that, a theory, nothing more, nothing less. And, perhaps even more relevant here is the fact that the 2 S word's Serial Numbers are quite close to each other within their 1st Tokyo Arsenal Number Range. My Sword being # 110808, while the aforementioned eBay example being # 101470, if I read it correctly ? And, although it's much too early in the investigate process to make any firm, or even supposed declarations concerning 'this' particular configuration of Type 95, I am at least beginning to entertain the possibility, well maybe ?  

 

            Best,    Dom P.

[Conway S]

The one in the eBay link is 東161475. It's late IIJIMA production.

 

Conway

[dpast32]

Oops, See what happens when you don’t look as closely as you should !! I had a difficult time trying to keep it both enlarged & still in order to read the number. THANKS for that. That # is probably too far away from mine to have any real meaning in relation to the two Serial Numbers. But, as you stated earlier, I need to look through the old Posts & Discussions for any similar examples & take away whatever may be of interest & prove useful in determining ‘if’ in fact my Type 95 is in its original, as issued configuration, ‘or’ what possible theories exist concerning exactly when, why, & how it ended up with that silver Scabbard ? Soooo, as usual, the hunt goes on !! THANKS AGAIN 

   

    Best,   Dom P.

 

{ Hopefully today I’ll Post a few additional photos of the Markings, etc. }

[dpast32]

OK Folks , Please bear with me here as I attempt to download all the various scans of my Type 95 which I just now photographed. Unfortunately, based upon my previous download attempts here, it appears as if I’ll only be able to Post 2 Photos per Reply. And, away we go ! I have also determined that my example here does not exhibit any Arsenal & or other Inspection Mkgs, other than as observed on the blade, just after the Serial #. I could have sworn I had observed some just under the tsuba, but above the handle. ( I apologize as I assume I should be utilizing the Japanese Terminology, but am still trying to remember it. ) So, here they are;

[dpast32]

Well I apologize here. I downloaded all my sword photos as ‘Actual Size’ which was apparently a big mistake !! I guess they’re too large to download here, so I’ll have to either re-photograph all of them, or figure something out ? Sorry Folks,

 

       Dom P.

[dpast32]

OK Gentlemen, I’ve since reduced my previous photos, & hopefully I’ll have some success in getting this batch up for some opinions. Also, I had believed that my sword also had the Arsenal Mkgs placed just above the handle, as observed on so many other Type 95’s. Mine however appears to lack these markings, possibly due to mine have the black, iron piece present, as opposed to the earlier copper, brass or whatever material used prior to my later model ? Any comments on this lack of apparent markings will be much appreciated. THANKS Folks !!

 

     Best,   Dom P.

 

UPDATE:  It appears as if I won’t be able to Post any photos, due again to size issues ? Sorry Guys 

[Bruce Pennington]

Cropping helps, Domenic.  As in the photo above, if you had cropped it down to just the saya, it greatly reduces the data size.

[dpast32]

I’ll see what I can do with them tomorrow. Hopefully I can get at least a few of them up ! THANKS Bruce

 

    Best,   Dom

[John C]

40 minutes ago, dpast32 said:

I’ll see what I can do with them tomorrow.

Dom:

There are file reducing apps on line, however I use a simple method - take a screen shot of the original picture, check the size there. Go to tools or whatever app you have to manage the screenshot and under pixels (should say 144) change to 124 or 114 to reduce the size. 3megs goes to 750kb pretty quickly. 

John C.

[Brian]

Just Google free image resizers. It's not the dimensions, it's the dpi. Reduce it to around 72-96.
The online resizers do it all for you, in a few seconds.

[Bruce Pennington]

For anyone tracking Kobe/Ichi serial numbers. Found on this Connecticut Firearms Auction.
 

[DTM72]

18 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

For anyone tracking Kobe/Ichi serial numbers. Found on this Connecticut Firearms Auction.
 

 

I am guessing that is some kind of a Chinese parade saber being sold with the NCO blade as a lot?

[Bruce Pennington]

24 minutes ago, DTM72 said:

Chinese parade saber

Yes.  Whether actual or fake, I don't know.

[Mark P]

Hi Guys, I just ran across this conversation and found a late ear sword with no fuller and kind of a high serial number 213628 with a Nagoya inspectors stamp. 

[Bruce Pennington]

Bubba at work:

Found at this AUCTION.

[Bruce Pennington]

Also, a late-war 95, with cloth-wrapped tsuka.  No photo of stamp, but descriptions says Jinsen:

 

At this AUCTION.