NCO serial number info

[Lee Johnston]

First time poster here. I have 3 NCO swords, 2 are standard issue with a 5 digit serial number, I wonder if they can be dated. The 3rd is a late one that featured in 'Military swords of Japan's by Richard Fuller and Ron Gregory. I think the sword belonged to Richard Fuller. Any info on these swords would be great. None are in great condition if I'm honest. 

[Brian]

I could be wrong, but to me the left one is too crude to even be late war. Wood handle was easier during that late in the war. But what does the blade look like? To me it seems like someone did a rough casting of a tsuka to replace a missing one, looks like an amateur job, probably in the field, maybe in an area where spares weren't available. Blade will tell more. They didn't have the screw or nut, so just used the old bamboo pin attachment method.
Will have to take a look through F&G's book.

[Kiipu]

Wow!  You made my day.  Deep in the vaults of the NMB archives, one can find hidden gems from long ago.

Bring Back With Provenance And Family Blade

[Bruce Pennington]

Thomas,, you never cease to amaze! So this could be one of those swords made in Malaysia?

 

Lee,

could I get clear photos of the stamps on the two swords on the right?  Also, photos of the blade tips of the two on the right?

[Lee Johnston]

Struggling to get the other picture to upload. Not the right size. 

[Lee Johnston]

Plate 51 on page 40 is my sword.

[Bruce Pennington]

Thanks, Lee, still could use shots of the stamps to confirm, but I was worried when I saw the serial number range.  Numbers in the 30's, 40's, and sometimes 50's are often found on Polish reproduction 95s, with Iijima Token contractor stamps.  And I think I see one of those on the middle sword.  I was also concerned when I saw the start point of the fuller grooves.  They are tapered, more like blades made for Nagoya.  These claim to be Tokyo 1st blades, which bear more squared beginnings and ending that closely match the shape of a kissaki.

 

Here's an example:

 

You can also see a small distinctive "square" shape of the end of the saya where it meets the drag, whereas yours is more rounded, again standard for Nagoya swords.

[Brian]

Don't see anything that points to that being the one in the book, but likely one of the same pattern. I think he is wrong about them being an emergency pattern. More likely the info presented above, saying that they were made in country or occupied territories by small forges or villagers working for the Japanese.

[Lee Johnston]

I appreciate the comments, thank you. It could be that the two normal ones are fake, it would be a shame. I've had them all over 25 years now. I bought them from the Bedford arms fair. 

I have a close up pic of the stamps that I can email to you. 

The late one used to have a little tag on it stating that it was made in occupied territory in the last few months of the war. I only noticed it missing today. 

I'm off to an arms fair in Budapest tomorrow hence the post. At least I won't be too distraught to be told (in Hungarian) that they are pants. As they were bought so long ago, I'm not too deep in to them. 

[Kiipu]

A determination has not been made whether these two Type 95s are real or not.  We, as in the readers of the Military Swords of Japan subforum, just need more pictures.  I would like to see a picture of the scabbard mouth opening for both.  Lets not jump the gun and come to a hasty conclusion.

[Kiipu]

Only Suya made Type 95s in the 40K range.  If they have Iijima markings, then they are reproductions.

[vajo]

All 3 are clear fakes

[BANGBANGSAN]

Lee

 

Please post some photos of the "late" one, thanks!