Late War NCO Type 95 Gunto

[Misconstrued]

As these are decently rare guntos, here's a study piece for your eyes! Its made by Jinsen Arsenal. (Sorry for the bad lighting, these are the only decent photos I have of now.)

 

Story:

My Great Grandfather picked this Gunto off a deceased Japanese Officer and took it home with him.

 

[Misconstrued]

I understand what you mean, but it is authentic. Its a late War Type 95 made by Jinsen Arsenal, my great grandfather picked it up during WW2. Of course the story alone doesn't guarantee it's authenticity, but over stamping was not unusual for these late War NCOs. If I may ask, why do you think it's fake?

[vajo]

The pictures are confusing. 

The pattern on the tsuka looks like dremel type. The screws dont fit for the type, the blade looks sloopy  

I'm not sure. 

[Misconstrued]

I understand what you're getting at as quality control at the end of the war wasn't very good, and the overstamping of the numbers is just one factor of that. I don't think it's a fake, but the photos are confusing, I do plan on getting better photos and I apologize for the confusion. But thank you for telling me in the first place, I appreciate your honest thoughts on it!

 

-Jace

 

[Shamsy]

Lovely and completely genuine pattern 6 Type 95. They are quite rare, so nice to have one in such great condition. Could you please take a close up of the serial numbers and stamps and try to get good light and focus? The combination of lines and circle has different meanings as to what the blade was intended to be used for. Can't quite see what the mark before the numbers is...

[Misconstrued]

I have some images in imgur which I can't download for some reason, so sadly I just have to post the link instead, but it appears to be "He 300994" (All credits go to Bruce for kindly deciphering what the number looks like on an earlier post.)

 

Photos: https://imgur.com/a/Bx8qkvt

 

 

 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Serial number

[robinalexander]

6 hours ago, vajo said:

The pattern on the tsuka looks like dremel type. The screws dont fit for the type

Hi Chris...bit scarry as the tsuka and screws look just like my 'genuine' late 95......although my blade has much more geometry and is cleaner all round. Even retaing a mirror finish in one side of the kissaki. (Happy to post a couple of pics for comparison if wanted).

 

In regard to the numbering on Jace's sword, I fully realise that the stamping of serial numbers on blades of wooden tsuka late war 95's is totally inconsistent and quite variable compared with earlier variations but I just dont like what I see here. 

 

I agree with you that the blade does look a little sloppy.  It looks like its lived a much harder life than the tsuka and mounts but on balance, I also think its genuine (just dont like numbers/inspection stamp (?) like that)

Rob

 

[vajo]

This one is from the Ohmura study site.

 

Same style stamped numbers.

 

I think its time for me to search for a late pattern 6 NCO to have one in hand.

[robinalexander]

@Misconstrued Hi Jace, out of interest it would be good to know if the saya throat is numbered? 

 

If so, would you be able to post a clear picture of it?

 

Pictures of mine attached FYI.

 

Rob

[Shamsy]

52 minutes ago, robinalexander said:

@Misconstrued Hi Jace, out of interest it would be good to know if the saya throat is numbered? 

 

 

It won't be numbered on the saya. It is the pattern 6 which had a wooden scabbard with unstamped, sheet-metal throat. They start at 300,000 serial range and are stamped on the blade. Best you'll likely find for stamps on the saya are the little, inverted ticks, as with the blade (that's what is after the number, thanks Bruce for the better pic). Just to confuse things, I have seen ONE single pattern 6 with a numbered throat before. But I didn't buy it so never got a good look).

 

What you have posted, Rob, is the far more common pattern 5 with metal scabbard. Here are comparison pictures from Ohmura.

 

 

[robinalexander]

Thanks Steve, that is good info.

 

Now that you mention it,  I do recall something about the very latest versions not having saya # .

 

The 'inverted ticks' also confused me but ...enlightened once again.

 

Thanks

Rob

[Misconstrued]

I've also learnt that the veteran who brought it back in our family, he took care of the sword even though the war scarred him physically and mentally. That's why it's in good condition thankfully.

[lambo35]

Did Mukden also make the T95-6 variation? The proof prior to the serial number on Jace's sword looks like a "He" proof used on Mukden, Manchuko, series 6 T38 carbines .

 

Chuck.

[Bruce Pennington]

6 hours ago, lambo35 said:

"He" proof used on Mukden

Yes.  The Army reg called them "Hiejo Factory of Jinsen Army Arsenal", thanks to Thomas, @Kiipu, page 18 of Stamps of the Japanese Sword. 

[Kiipu]

@lambo35 Hōten “Mukden” Zōhei-sho KK 奉天造兵所株式會社 did use an encircled katakana HE character that looked like this ㋬.  This marking does not show up in the army regulations so it could have been a marking that was used internally for inspections.  Hōten never manufactured swords; however, they did make a large quantity of 30th Year Type Bayonets 三十年式銃剣.

 

As already indicated by @Bruce Pennington, the Heijō Factory of Jinsen Army Arsenal 仁川陸軍造兵廠平城製造所 did manufacture [officer and enlisted] swords starting in fiscal year 1945.  The factory inspection mark used is a standalone ヘ.

Edited July 2, 2022 by Kiipu

[lambo35]

Thanx Bruce, Thomas. Some of the other parts of the Hoten T38 carbine also have the He stamp, lacking the circle.