Help with a bit of information on this type 95

[JohnWB]

I just picked up this type 95 and I am really pleased with it.  I am hoping y'all can help with a bit more information.  If I understand correctly, the stamps on the fuchi are: Suya Shoten, Tokyo 1st Arsenal inspection stamp, and Tokyo 1st Arsenal.  Here are my questions:

 

1. What is the significance of the outer 2 stamps in relation to the manufacturing of the sword? As in were the parts manufactured in one place and assembled in the other, or some parts from both?
2. What is the stamp on the saya drag?
3. Can anyone give an approximate date of manufacture? SN 148224

 

As always, I really appreciate all the help and expertise everyone here so freely gives.  This is an incredible group of people with an inexhaustible wealth of knowledge.

 

-John

[Bruce Pennington]

Pg 16 of the Stamps Doc: "Sha" - private contractor/factory

 

The fuchi stamps on the left show the contractor company that made the gunto.  As I understand it, each one of them fully made the sword, blade, and fittings.  For Type 95s, they did this work under contract for an arsenal, either Tokyo 1st or Nagoya.  Prior to 1942, they were still making them for these 2 arsenals, but we see the stacked cannonball stamp of the supervising Kokura Army Arsenal, with the small inspector stamp in the middle showing us whether it was Tokyo or Nagoya receiving the gunto.  Yours has the Tokyo 1st star, so the gunto was made 1942 or later.  @Shamsy or @Stegel could tell you a year, but neither of them are on the forum much lately.  Maybe @Kiipu or @BANGBANGSAN can give you an idea.

[BANGBANGSAN]

That is a nice one! It was probably made around mid-1944.

[Bruce Pennington]

Now you need a Nagoya side-latch, and a copper!  Ok, maybe a late-war wooden handle too!  Then there's the ..........

[JohnWB]

Outstanding! Thank you for the help @Bruce Pennington & @BANGBANGSAN!

 

Bruce,

I went through the stamps doc 3 times and never saw that lol.  I figured it had to be there somewhere and I had just looked over it.  Thank you for putting that together.  As far as the list goes, believe me,  I am trying to resist, but yeah, all those are on my list, and a 94, and a 97, and a few more lol.  I keep telling myself “It’s not a race, it’s a marathon, find the good ones that are also priced right, and you’ll get there eventually.”  Temptation is tough though lol.