Brass Scabbard NCO Copper Handle

[IJASWORDS]

It is interesting that I came across a "brass scabbard copper handle NCO" as mentioned in Fuller and Gregory. It is actually brass or "gilt plated" not solid brass as the extract from their excellent book infers. Anyway, thought it worth sharing. 

[Bruce Pennington]

Neil,

That is the most completely colored one I've seen before.  I seem to have missed that discussion in F & G!  I tried to find our earlier discussion about the gold coloring of the copper-handled sayas, with no luck. 

 

I wonder if this is different than the faint gold that seems to be on many of the copper-handled 95 saya?  Here's mine.

 

Also, this re-opens my questions, years ago, about gold-painted saya.  I know you said this is gilding, not paint, but maybe some of the others that are painted are simply trying to emulate this style finish?

[Stegel]

Very nice Copper handled type 95 you got there Neil!

In the early stages of production, and a carry over issue from the type 32's, was the problem of corrosion with scabbards.

Some very few had a grey primer below the top coat, while others had what appears to be a 'gold wash' applied.

The application has the appearance of being an electroplating style and not sprayed on type. This has been mentioned in F&G and has been found only on the very first patterns.

I have a similar 'gold/brass' one in the 4000 range. These are very desirable in my opinion.

I have actually seen this sword in hand some years back,( before you snapped it up!) and it has good provenance and a real beautiful patina on the copper handle..... very nice!!

 

[Bruce Pennington]

  On 11/8/2020 at 12:34 AM, Stegel said:

while others had what appears to be a 'gold wash' applied

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That seems to be what my saya is finished with then.  It's actually a replacement saya with no number.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Is the finish actually real gold? Seems totally mad for a lowly NCO sword......

[IJASWORDS]

Gilt is 70/30 Copper/Zinc brass, that can be electroplated. 

[reeder]

I recently picked one up and saw this thread. Was going to list for sale/trade if I ever got a chance to get more detailed photos. It’s a little more difficult these days to find the time to play with swords with the kids. 

[Bruce Pennington]

  On 11/19/2020 at 10:21 PM, reeder said:

difficult these days to find the time to play with swords with the kids. 

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Ha, I find it quite annoying that life keeps getting in the way of my hobby time!

 

What’s your serial number on that one? Is it close to Neil’s?

[Jareth]

Looks like gold paint to my eyes. At best it’s guilding 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Another example up for sale: https://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-Japanese-Army-officer-s-NCO-sword-copper-handle-gold-color-scabbard/233800825702?hash=item366f9d7b66:g:Z-cAAOSwjV9fwvN0

 

[BANGBANGSAN]

Just noticed One of my Copper handle 95 scabbard had these gold finish over the original army brown paint, most of the gold came off but you can still tell some the left on it.