NCO Sword

[Boongie]

Hello:

I am enjoying this forum and am very pleased to have found it. Thought I would post some pictures of the NCO sword that I picked up earlier this year. The serial numbers on the blade and scabbard match. Appears to have been well carried. Now I just need a correct sword knot for it.

Steve

[Bruce Pennington]

That's a real beauty, Steve!  I assume you know the meaning of all the stamps, and the style tassel you'll want on it, right?

[Boongie]

14 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

That's a real beauty, Steve!  I assume you know the meaning of all the stamps, and the style tassel you'll want on it, right?

Hi Bruce: Based on my limited knowledge, I believe that my NCO sword is a "third type" Tokyo 1st arsenal with the thinner brass tsuba. With the blade tip down, the markings are, from left to right: Suya company, Tokyo arsenal inspection mark, Kokura arsenal.

 

I have attached a better picture of the fuchi of my sword.

 

As to the sword knot, I have seen plenty reproductions for sale on ebay. I've attached a picture of what I believe is the correct vintage one that would be the one to find.

 

Thanks,

Steve

[Bruce Pennington]

That's right Steve!  Dating NCO's is an imprecise art, and guys like Stegel and Shamsy could nail it down better, but the Kokura stamp means the gunto was made no later than 1940 (could be 1942, my memory is fading on that) and the serial number should put it in the in about the 2nd or 3rd year of manufacture of the aluminum hands The coppers were made '37-38, so 1940-1 would be my guess. I could be off a couple years on that, but it's ball-park.

[Boongie]

30 minutes ago, Bruce Pennington said:

That's right Steve!  Dating NCO's is an imprecise art, and guys like Stegel and Shamsy could nail it down better, but the Kokura stamp means the gunto was made no later than 1940 (could be 1942, my memory is fading on that) and the serial number should put it in the in about the 2nd or 3rd year of manufacture of the aluminum hands The coppers were made '37-38, so 1940-1 would be my guess. I could be off a couple years on that, but it's ball-park.

Now an original sword knot would be nice to add! As it seems that some people are selling reproduction NCO swords as original, and with as many reproduction sword knots that I see for sale on ebay, I presume that someone has tried to pass these repro sword knots off as original. I suppose that there is a way to "age" new leather.

[Bruce Pennington]

I don't follow the tassels closely.  The repros I've seen are extremely new looking, but it wouldn't surprise me to see an artificially aged one.  Your protection lies in looking at the real thing enough that the fakes stand out.  Shape, style, stitching, etc.

[Smee78]

Good looking sword you got, welcome. Your numbers on your sword are not to far from mine.

[robinalexander]

Hi Steve, 

Nice example.

In regard to the leather NCO sword knot,  to the best of my knowledge (and I am newish) the sword knot you included is meant for the later iron tsuba sword as per your picture.  I believe the knot to match your brass tsuba is the earlier NCO knot that includes a small brass buckle and actually threads through the tsuba. Pic attached. From my experience they are harder to find and more 'expensive' than the later version you have shown.

 

If I'm wrong, ( but I really dont think so) I am sure we will both read about it very soon.

 

Regards

Rob

[Bruce Pennington]

4 hours ago, robinalexander said:

includes a small brass buckle

Rob,

You are right about the buckled version for his tsuba.  The iron tsuba has no holes for the tassel, so they simply looped the no-buckle version starting at the sarute.

 

I should point out, though, the example you posted is a reproduction.  Here is how they really looked:

[robinalexander]

Thanks Bruce, 

Thanks for the insight..glad its not mine.  Was the first one I came across on Google pics. And wouldnt Steve to race off and spend hard earned $ on the incorrect knot.  Quicker and easier than taking a pic of my two.

All good.

Rob