Copper NCO Identification

[DTM72]

At a recent show, an older gentleman took my card. He contacted me today, offering me what he believes to be the elusive copper handled NCO. He has a flip phone and cannot send pics. He is local and I am looking for tips on positive identification. Let’s start with what I know, or think I know.

Should have serial number between 1 and 7000.

Should have thick brass tsuba with top latch.

Should have only one screw through the kashira aimless repaired in field with additional upper screw where mekugi would go.

Should have clear stamps on fuchi.

Should have good beginning and end to bohi.

 

Things I am not sure of;

Type of drag on saya

Color(s) of saya

 

Please add anything additional I should look for.

 

@Shamsy @Bruce Pennington

Thanks in advance!

Dan

[Bruce Pennington]

Good summary, Dan.  Suya Shoten was the only maker.  Saya didn't have a drag, though, there are a very few out there with replacement saya with drags.

[Kiipu]

Should have serial number between 1 and 7000: High serial number for a Pattern 1 is 6561.

Should have thick brass tsuba with top latch:  To be precise, 11 millimeters thick.

Should have clear stamps on fuchi: Arsenal logo and company trademark sometimes reversed.

Type of drag on saya: A brass plug usually, there are variations of these though.  So the scabbard end will be rounded with no protrusions.

Color(s) of saya:  The scabbard color will usually be green with a gray primer coat underneath.  The exception is a gold scabbard color that occasionally shows up.

[DTM72]

Meeting tomorrow at 5:30pm so hopefully I have a special addition to my collection.

Thank you Bruce and @Kiipu!

[BANGBANGSAN]

Dan

 

PLease post some photos after you get it

[DTM72]

  On 4/3/2024 at 5:39 PM, BANGBANGSAN said:

Dan

 

PLease post some photos after you get it

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Will do.

[DTM72]

I knew as soon as I saw the brass handle…😢😭

guy paid $500 for it. I showed him the difference between brass (yellow) and copper (reddish brown) and also pointed out all the other problems with it.

No rare item for me. 😫

 

[JohnWB]

I have to say, they did a nice clean start on that bohi.  It starts too far from the habaki and there's a myriad of other problems, but that is the cleanest start on a bohi that I have seen on one of these brass handled fakes.  From the extra tooling marks in the end of the bohi, it looks like they got in there and cleaned it up to make it look a bit more legit at a glance.

[vajo]

The pictures shows a authentic clear fake type 95. It is to less in quality to call it a good replica. 

[DTM72]

  On 4/4/2024 at 2:56 AM, JohnWB said:

I have to say, they did a nice clean start on that bohi.  It starts too far from the habaki and there's a myriad of other problems, but that is the cleanest start on a bohi that I have seen on one of these brass handled fakes.  From the extra tooling marks in the end of the bohi, it looks like they got in there and cleaned it up to make it look a bit more legit at a glance.

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Speaking of the bohi, not sure if anyone has ever looked but I noticed the beginning and ends of the bohi are not the same on both sides. As I looked at the blade with the edge facing me, I could see the two sides were different.