dev0042 Posted February 20 Report Posted February 20 Hello all, I'm new to these parts! Hi. Recently, I was gifted* a sword by my Father's fiance. Story goes someone in their family brought it back from the war. She now has nowhere to store the sword. It doesn't match her decor anymore. I got the gist she has any interest or feelings about it. I didn't know she owned it tbh. Afterwards, my research points to this being a rather rare sword? Anyhow, I too don't really have any interest in it either. It's cool no doubt. But surely a collector would appreciate it more than I. Still, I asked if I could sell it and they didn't care. No sentiment value there. She is like that about her side of her family. I aim to sell it. So I wanted to ask for some opinions from those who know them. ) HERE IS A FULL GALLERY (some files too large I only really saw one of these swords posted as sold on Ebay. That one was listed for $1,475 - with the best offer option. So I can't tell what it truly sold for. Although, unlike theirs, my sword is missing the belt clip/lock near the hand guard. Also, the serial number is missing from the scabbard. There simply is no numbers on it. I suspect either those numbers wore off OR it's partially not real? I don't want to sell a sword as real to a collector then find out later and them be bummed. I really don't know what this sword is worth? It seems super rare to find one being sold online. Thank you! 1 1 Quote
Scogg Posted February 21 Report Posted February 21 Hi Dev, welcome. Sorry to hear the sword holds no interest for you. I've seen these wood hilt 95's go anywhere from several hundred dollars up to around $1500. They aren't worth a ton. I believe yours is genuine, but with damage and mismatched parts. That scabbard is for an entirely different type of WW2 Japanese sword. So I'd think it would be worth the lower end of that range. I know you want to sell it, but considering it's not worth a whole lot and it has some family history for you; It might be worth holding onto until a family member does show interest. Maybe the next generation? Just an idea. Best of luck, -Sam 2 Quote
John C Posted February 21 Report Posted February 21 2 hours ago, dev0042 said: I only really saw one of these swords posted as sold on Ebay. That one was listed for $1,475 - w Dev: That's optimistic for this sword. You'll have to decide, however there are two schools of thought. On one hand, it is late war and therefore made cheaply; on the other hand, there are fewer of them so a little more rare. But as Sam pointed out, the parts don't match so you would have to factor that in. Unless you really need the money, I would probably just keep it for now. John C. 1 Quote
robinalexander Posted February 21 Report Posted February 21 Dev I would be so surprised if that blade fitted in the Type 3 saya ...... never ever meant to go together and these late nco's have a long blade. Does it actually go into it or has it been displayed separately? Has the sword got a side lock on the other side from the pictures you have shown? and does the seppa (hand guard) have a corresponding hole for the side lock? See 'stock' pic below. 1 Quote
dev0042 Posted February 21 Author Report Posted February 21 50 minutes ago, robinalexander said: Dev I would be so surprised if that blade fitted in the Type 3 saya ...... never ever meant to go together and these late nco's have a long blade. Does it actually go into it or has it been displayed separately? Has the sword got a side lock on the other side from the pictures you have shown? and does the seppa (hand guard) have a corresponding hole for the side lock? See 'stock' pic below. The sword inserts into the scabbard as expected. No gaps. A side by side makes sense to me visually in terms of length. That entire locking lever mech is not present on the scabbard. It's missing the lever and the housing. However, there is a square hole in the hand guard for it to be there. Quote
dev0042 Posted February 21 Author Report Posted February 21 2 hours ago, Scogg said: Hi Dev, welcome. Sorry to hear the sword holds no interest for you. I've seen these wood hilt 95's go anywhere from several hundred dollars up to around $1500. They aren't worth a ton. I believe yours is genuine, but with damage and mismatched parts. That scabbard is for an entirely different type of WW2 Japanese sword. So I'd think it would be worth the lower end of that range. I know you want to sell it, but considering it's not worth a whole lot and it has some family history for you; It might be worth holding onto until a family member does show interest. Maybe the next generation? Just an idea. Best of luck, -Sam Hi! What do you think I could price this around - to sell? Is $1k that bargain? Or is it more like $500? I haven't a clue. I do not have any feelings towards the sword besides I've watched Afro Samurai a handful of times. It's not in my family. And likely will never be. Sound advice tho. Quote
robinalexander Posted February 21 Report Posted February 21 Tough one Dev.... would I pay $500 Aud for it.....probably not. It's always going to be a saya from one type of sword and a late NCO with missing latch (and you may never find another one). Having said that, you never know who has/needs what parts out there and they will pay if it meets their needs. If a person was lucky enough to have a spare late NCO saya then they will definitely be in the race. Your keen for pricing advice I know but IMO if your best bet would be put it up for Auction either regular auction or Ebay ...you can't lose and I have seen some 'married' swords and junk go for much higher than expected prices. Just be sure your upfront with pictures / description so that people know exactly what you are selling and what they are paying for. Maybe start at $300 US for 14 days ????? Just my thoughts but hope it helps. PS if there is no groove on the otherside of wooden tsuka (handle) where the latch used to be then that could indicate repro parts as well. 2 Quote
Scogg Posted February 21 Report Posted February 21 Here’s the photos from his link that have the latch area, I resized them so they’d fit here for posterity. I included another where you can see how the saya fits too I agree with Rob, that an auction is probably your best bet. 1 1 Quote
Brian Posted February 21 Report Posted February 21 Yeah, there is zero doubt that the scabbard is from a different sword. Just very lucky it fits. That said, someone out there will be looking for the sword itself, maybe to restore or maybe for parts. I am guessing it would go higher than $500 as is. 2 Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted February 21 Report Posted February 21 Auction with a reserve price of $700. The blade alone could sell for $500 then the saya (scabbard) would sell alone for $150-200. 1 Quote
Kiipu Posted February 21 Report Posted February 21 17 hours ago, dev0042 said: It's missing the lever and the housing. However, there is a square hole in the hand guard for it to be there. The blade and hilt is from a Type 95 Military Sword while the scabbard is from a mass produced Type 100 Sword. Sometime in fiscal year 1943, Nagoya Arsenal started mass producing the Type 100. They were made in large numbers and production even exceeded that of the Type 95. The veteran removed the scabbard retaining assembly from the handle so that the scabbard would slide all the way to the crossguard. The Type 95 locking latch protrudes beyond the crossguard and would prevent the scabbard from closing all the way. This sword is the earliest known Type 95 from Nagoya Arsenal with an unfullered blade. 関202446 Fullered blade. 関203348 Unfullered blade. Thanks for sharing Dev and good luck with the sale. 6 1 Quote
Scogg Posted February 21 Report Posted February 21 Great observation about the fuller @Kiipu, I had overlooked that detail. Something to add to my archive, Thank you, -Sam 1 Quote
BANGBANGSAN Posted February 21 Report Posted February 21 2 hours ago, Kiipu said: This sword is the earliest known Type 95 from Nagoya Arsenal with an unfullered blade. 関202446 Fullered blade. 関203348 Unfullered blade. 関202887 has Fullered blade also 2 Quote
Scogg Posted February 22 Report Posted February 22 Of the swords that I have listed, the highest serial number sword without fuller is 216064. Wood handle, metal scabbard, stamp undicernable. I only have that specific feature (or lack of) mentioned on 5 of the swords I've cataloged. Anyone have a higher serial number example? Cheers, -Sam Quote
dev0042 Posted February 22 Author Report Posted February 22 10 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said: Auction with a reserve price of $700. The blade alone could sell for $500 then the saya (scabbard) would sell alone for $150-200. Thank you all so much for helping me sort this all out! Also, Kiipu for the debunking info. That is very interesting. Good eye! Should I post this in this forum's selling area for $625 USD + shipping? USA shipping only. I don't want to deal with customs etc. Probably around $30 to ship I'd guess. I'd be happy with that and to provide it to another's collection (or parts) in this community. I may not have enough rep though? 1 Quote
Scogg Posted February 22 Report Posted February 22 I think that price is reasonable and fair. Best of luck with your sale. Im not sure about forum reputation and sales, and there’s also the part that this is a machine made blade rather than a Nihonto. @Brian , our moderator, can help answer those questions, if he’s willing. I will say you will likely have more views and interest amongst militaria collectors over Nihonto collectors. But there’s also a bit of overlap between the two 1 Quote
Conway S Posted February 22 Report Posted February 22 Plenty of members on the forum have posted NCO swords in the for sale section on NMB. There are no restrictions on selling swords that are of Japanese origin. Posting here you will avoid eBay fees and sales tax. To prove that you actually own the sword, some members post a picture of the sword with their NMB forum name on a piece of paper next to it. Conway 2 Quote
Kiipu Posted February 22 Report Posted February 22 17 hours ago, Scogg said: 216064: Anyone have a higher serial number example? The highest serial number that I have with a picture is 217291. 1 1 Quote
dev0042 Posted February 23 Author Report Posted February 23 11 hours ago, Conway S said: Plenty of members on the forum have posted NCO swords in the for sale section on NMB. There are no restrictions on selling swords that are of Japanese origin. Posting here you will avoid eBay fees and sales tax. To prove that you actually own the sword, some members post a picture of the sword with their NMB forum name on a piece of paper next to it. Conway Thanks! Yeah, I'd be happy to donate a "sales tax" to this forum instead of Ebay. And full transparency here. It's just I have 5 posts and that is a chunk of change. 2 Quote
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