Decent Type 95?

[GeorgeLuucas]

This is listed at a store down the street from me. Looks pretty nice for the price but I’m not savvy with these 95s. I like the relatively low serial number and condition.  I cannot tell if the saya has matching numbers.
 

What do ya’ll think? Is it worth taking a look at? Considering adding a type 95 to my collection. 

[robinalexander]

Hi Sam ....jump on it if its well priced.

 

Nice package with what looks like and original tassel ( or bloody good repo but I'm going for it).  One of the first pattern after 'copper' 95's ..made by Suya Shoten Co Ltd, Tokyo !st inspection mark in middle and out of Kokura Arsenal.

 

Hard to know what's under the string binding but I have a copper that had that done to it.  Not a problem

 

Try and find out what number is on the saya throat....if it matching (7249) then its even more collectable and valuable.

[robinalexander]

PS ....It would be wise to get a second opinion 

[GeorgeLuucas]

Thanks Rob! Much appreciated. 

 

I’ll hope for more input, but I will likely go look at it tomorrow, and at least confirm or deny if the saya is matching. 

If it turns out to look good, and others agree, maybe I can make a deal .

 

Cheers,

-Sam 

[John C]

1 hour ago, GeorgeLuucas said:

and others agree

Looks good to me. Marks look good; correct screw in the tsuka. I too think the tassel is probably original. That's worth a couple of hundred by itself. 

 

John C.

[paul griff]

Hello,

         Sword and knot look 100% to me…..Possibly had a lacquer applied at some point hence the flaky bits on the metalwork ( but may be the photo’s + my ageing eyes) but that wouldn’t bother me….nice find……

Regards,

              Paul..

[drb 1643]

If the price is right I would scoop this one up immediately!

Tom

[Bruce Pennington]

That is a very early aluminum handle variation, I'd snatch it up even if the saya throat is not numbered (factory repair) or mismatched.  You should see on the other side that the screw comes out in the ito:

 

(photo curtesy of @Stegel}

 

They changed to ito wrap pattern shortly after because the screw was getting damaged.  

 

The tsuka coating is interesting and is seen on a few other 95s over the years.  @Conway S noted this on this thread:

I mentioned the use of almite coating in that thread, but after re-reading @Shamsy's discussion about it, I believe it was something used on the bare aluminum before painting.  So, don't know about the yellow coating, whether wartime of post-war.  It was obviously put on this one after a good amount of wear and tear, so who knows!

 

Steve's discussion:

 

[GeorgeLuucas]

How exciting. Now I just hope it's still at the shop when I get off work. 

Thank you for that info Bruce! In one small comment, you answered all my questions about the handle color. That was mainly what concerned me. 

At first, I saw the sub 10k serial number and thought I struck gold with a copper handle. Then, thanks to my books, I discovered those are only sub ~6,500. Therefore, I was worried that the handle color was made to LOOK like it's copper under the paint, and not aluminum, which raised a red flag. Now it all makes more sense. 

Ya'll have squashed my worries! 
Thanks!
Cheers,
-Sam

PS. I'll keep you posted if I am able to purchase it. Stay tuned. 

[GeorgeLuucas]

Well, I acquired the sword! Paid a little more than I had hoped, but still very affordable for a neat sword.

 

Heres some of my own photos of the fittings, I did my best with a new phone. 
 

Some observations: Even though the saya had no serial number that I can find, it fits like a glove with no rattle. The yellowing all over is definitely done over wear and tear, like you mentioned.  
 

Anyway, here it is! Let me know what you think good or bad.

Thanks again,

-Sam 

[Kiipu]

I can faintly see a 東 inspection mark to the right of the serial number.  An unserialized scabbard just means it was replaced by a unit armourer at some point.  Not as uncommon as you think. 

 

As Rob indicated, this is an early aluminium variation with a desirable hilt variation.  It is only the fourth one known in the 7,000 range.  Oddly, I have serial 7241 recorded, but it was tampered with by "Showa22".

Showa22 At It Again!

 

Strongly recommend that you read the entire thread below.  It is long winded, but very educational.

Short Development History of Type 95 Gunto

[GeorgeLuucas]

Thank you Kiipu, and great eye! I didn’t even see that small mark. Here’s a better photo. That’s great info about the saya and makes a lot of sense.
 

Much appreciated for the link. I’m going to sit down and read it over this evening. Sounds like I lucked out and found a cool piece! 

Thanks again! 

Cheers,

-Sam

[Conway S]

Nice find! The early pattern aluminum handles are hard to find. I like that wrap job on the scabbard. 

 

Conway

[Kiipu]

If one really whats to get into the minutia of Type 32 & Type 95 swords, look at the end of your sword knot.  Now go over to the post below.  This was the first thing I noticed when I looked at your pictures yesterday.

Tassel Production Kaizen

[John C]

SaM:

I'm sure you probably know this, however there should be no need to take it apart. These weren't signed, however some did have the W stamp on the nakago.

The tassel could use some leather conditioner to preserve it. A gentle dab without rubbing should do it. Coach and some other purse brands make some gentle stuff.

 

John C.

[GeorgeLuucas]

No worries John, I will not be taking it apart. But it’s a good reminder to anyone reading along that these type 95s are just machine made blades with nothing to reveal on the nakago; unlike the type 94 or type 98s. 
 

Leather conditioner is good advice too, the tassel is pretty dry. I think I’ve got some lying around 

 

Cheers,

-Sam 

[paul griff]

Hello,

        Nice photo’s that show it’s a really nice example..well done Sam..

Regards,

Paul..

[Bruce Pennington]

Great one, Sam!  Yes, that throat looks just like the one on my copper.  And like Thomas said, that tsuka style is scarce, so very collectable.

 

That saya wrap is quite well done.  Is it string or something fabric?

[GeorgeLuucas]

2 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

that tsuka style is scarce, so very collectable.

 

That saya wrap is quite well done.  Is it string or something fabric?

Thank you Bruce! I am excited to have bought it. I think it’s very cool and it’s really well fit together. The rarity of it is a huge bonus! 

I wonder what it might be worth, and how good a deal I got it for. But it’s going to stay in my collection for now. I’ve wanted one for a while. 
 

It’s string on the saya. It’s very well done, and seems to be glued or lacquered in place somehow. Even though it’s not original, I think it adds an aesthetic appeal, and I like the mystery of who might have done it. Long story short, I think it looks good 

 

Thanks for your help everyone, 

Cheers.

-Sam
 

 

[John C]

3 hours ago, GeorgeLuucas said:

I wonder what it might be worth, and how good a deal I got it for.

Average examples go from 800 to 1,000 on ebay. With some rarity and tassel, you could certainly add a bit more to yours.

 

John C.

[Smee78]

Looks like a great addition, I would be proud to have that sword in the collection. Congrats on a solid find.

[Kantaro]

I like it.

 

[GeorgeLuucas]

Something to note on this sword:

The tsuba is the 9mm version, rather than the earlier 11mm version. Everything else seems to line up perfectly with the transitional model specs. EDIT: as I understand, the mixing of 9mm and 11mm tsuba on the transitional models is hypothesized to use up the leftover 11mm stock. 

Cheers,
-Sam

Edited November 4 by GeorgeLuucas
EDIT:

[GeorgeLuucas]

I'm having trouble sourcing some specific information - maybe i've overlooked it somewhere. 

Does anyone have a source, or even a rough idea, of how many Aluminum Handle Type 95s were made? What's the highest serial number known? 

Cheers,
-Sam

[Conway S]

Sam, 

 

I am sure Thomas or others may know the high end, but I believe Nagoya produced aluminum at least to the 202,XXX range. Somewhere on the forum, I recall  this figure is discussed in relation to side-latch production. Maybe use that as a search term.

 

Conway

[Conway S]

 

 

Just search Nagoya side latch and you will see Bruce posts a few in the 202+ range.