Prototypes or just Variation of Type 3 Rinji?

[waljamada]

I've had this Rinji (type 3) gunto for a while signed by Torio Hiromasa dated 1943.  I've read this kind of type 3 koshirae with some brass fittings was a prototype via Ohmura's site and other random places on the internet but also heard that they are simply a variation of the Type 3.  Perhaps they were made early in manufacturing of the type 3...or perhaps throughout Type 3 production as an available option?  I read in the Type 3 Timeline forum that the Rinji model was thought up by 1941 and not kicked into full roll out until 1943.  I also read that blades dated early as 1941 in Rinji Type 3's (could have just used an older blade in a rinji koshirae though) in Bruce Pennington's records.  To me the Torio Hiromasa being a 1943 blade could potentially lean away from being a prototype as it's much closer to the 1943 roll out period than the 1941/42 "mock up" periods.  I bought mine thinking it was just a variation.  Wondering if anyone knows the consensus on these or perhaps seen or come across any other information? 

 

First pics are of my Hiromasa and second sword is from a listing a long time ago for a Nagamitsu with type 98 tsuba, likely re-wrapped tsuba and the fittings do look a bit more like painted rather than brass.  Last one is from an NMB post in 2013 where it was said it's a variation rather than from a prototype production round.

 

Thanks in advance for any insights!

[mecox]

Adam, does your sword have any stamps on the nakago mune?

[Brian]

I have at least 2 swords in the same mounts as the first one. Same wrap and menuki, and diagonal saya wrap. These mounts almost always contain fairly decent Gendaito from what I've seen. Definitely swords worth checking out if you see one.
Also love to know more about this style. It was clearly a pattern.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Given the simplification of fittings & reduction in quality, a last stage variant using less man hours seems most likely.

[waljamada]

7 hours ago, mecox said:

Adam, does your sword have any stamps on the nakago mune?

 

Yes, a double yama.  I'm gonna call this sword the "Two Mountain".

[Bruce Pennington]

Adam, that is a beautiful Hiromasa!

Looks like I should have read that old Rinji thread before posting on it.  It's got some outdated info that I'll have to update.  The Contingency model was designed in 1938 and production and sales began 22 August 1940.

Unveiling the Rinji-seishiki Sword in 1940 - Nick Komiya

 

It's taking me a while to find his post revealing the Uniform regulation change that allowed, even required, simplified fittings designs due to war shortages and Allied bombing damage to the industry.  I'll post when I find it (or maybe @Kiipu has the reference??)  My gut feel is this style was due to that relaxation of the mil specs and request to simplify weapons production.

 

Update: Found it!  From Rinji-seishiki to Daiyou-seishiki of Weapon Specs - Nick Komiya

It was 1943:

"The Daisei-Heiki Era

Then by 1943, this kind of choice would no longer be available, as the standard quality stocks ran out. By this time, even primary weapons like rifles were routinely produced in nonstandard specs.

Such symptoms were no longer of a "Rinji" nature but a chronic one, expected to get even worse in the future. So they officially coined a new phrase to describe these items of “compromised specs” and called them “Daiyo-Seishiki-Heiki” 代用制式兵器, (Substitute-Spec Weapons), which they abbreviated into the term, “Daisei-Heiki” 代制兵器."

"These downgraded spec standards were applied to items that had little impact on military performance, like weapon accessories such as muzzle lids, rifle oilers made of resin instead of brass, belts, holsters and ammo pouches made of rubberized canvass instead of leather, woolen uniform items replaced by cotton, felt or even silk mixed in wool."

[Bruce Pennington]

2 minutes ago, waljamada said:

double yama.

山(yama) Matsuyama Branch office of Kokura Arsenal

[waljamada]

The only thing about this variation that bucks the standard Rinji trend to me is that it uses some materials that they were switching out due to supply at that point.  Brass on the tsuka and aluminum for the seppa.  

[Bruce Pennington]

Here's another from the 3rd page of that Rinji Timeline thread:

 

[mecox]

Adam, that is a very nice blade from a good smith.  There is info on Torio Hiromasa in NMB Downloads:  (1) Showa/Ehime  and (2) Fukuoka/Kokura.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Kanehide: https://page.auction.../auction/q1157901121