brannow Posted June 27, 2012 Report Posted June 27, 2012 Hi All, I thought I would share one of my latest and most exciting finds. It is a prototype Japanese NCO sword. There is one listed in Jim Dawsons book but the one he has pictured is a little rough. This one is in almost pristine condition. Since I took so many pictures I am just post a link to the pics. http://collectorsmilitaria.com/a_very_r ... 062612.htm Enjoy! 1 Quote
NihontoEurope Posted June 27, 2012 Report Posted June 27, 2012 Hello Bill, Excuse my ignorance, but what are the features that make this a prototypical item? I can see it is in very nice condition. /Martin Quote
Stegel Posted June 27, 2012 Report Posted June 27, 2012 Hi Bill, It's very clean, is this how you found it? Cheers Ernst PM sent Quote
brannow Posted June 27, 2012 Author Report Posted June 27, 2012 Hi, I only whipped the cosmoline off the blade. There are only a couple of these known so they are thought to be a prototype. Quote
patrick7813 Posted June 27, 2012 Report Posted June 27, 2012 Bill Great find and remarkable condition! I've only seen pictures and never known anyone who has their hands on one. If you still have it next year, please bring it with you to the Baltimore show. Cheers, Quote
Geraint Posted June 27, 2012 Report Posted June 27, 2012 Hi Bill. Perhaps relevant to this thread? viewtopic.php?f=50&t=13216 Regards Quote
brannow Posted June 27, 2012 Author Report Posted June 27, 2012 Not really relevant because I know the difference between a Chinese fake and a real Japanese sword! Quote
bmoore1322 Posted June 28, 2012 Report Posted June 28, 2012 The first thing I noticed is that I do not see any pin / bolt / nut that would be where the blade was attached to the tang. Am I not seeing it, or what? Brian Quote
brannow Posted June 28, 2012 Author Report Posted June 28, 2012 Like the copper handled nco swords the grommet that the serute goes in. Quote
bmoore1322 Posted June 28, 2012 Report Posted June 28, 2012 Like the copper handled nco swords the grommet that the serute goes in. Yes, every single copper NCO sword with the fake Sageo on it, they all have a the screw / bolt / nut on them... Quote
brannow Posted June 28, 2012 Author Report Posted June 28, 2012 Hi, Not sure what you mean? Sageo?? You mean like this one? Quote
bmoore1322 Posted June 28, 2012 Report Posted June 28, 2012 Yes, exactly, in that pic you can plainly see on the Tsuka where it is held in place on the sword with the bolt / nut type set up, on the prototype there is none present... Brian Quote
Lindus Posted June 28, 2012 Report Posted June 28, 2012 Not really relevant because I know the difference between a Chinese fake and a real Japanese sword! Of course you do Bill, take the time to check out what I said re the Japanese military police swords, you may find this adds to your knowledge. Is it possible that with the Officers Tsuba and Saya that these are "Bitsy" eg, put together to enhance the Value?? Regards Roy Quote
brannow Posted June 28, 2012 Author Report Posted June 28, 2012 Hi Roy, It came from a vet along with 2 old wakizashi that were a little too rough to buy for my taste. It has not been messed with at all. On the copper handle I posted it is a non-typical piece because of the screw bolt where the mekugi would be which was why I posted it. I will post a photo of my other copper handle nco with its textbook bolt at the serute. Quote
Brian Posted June 28, 2012 Report Posted June 28, 2012 Congrats Bill....I think that is a great find, and in amazing condition. Brian Quote
shigezo Posted June 29, 2012 Report Posted June 29, 2012 Bill, This is the first time I've seen a copper handled NCO with mekugi screw as well as with a iron tuba. Also, I've noticed that the position of Suya markings and kokura canon balls on fuchi are switched. This is an another interesting piece. Great piece. Shigezo S. 加州住繁蔵 Quote
bmoore1322 Posted June 29, 2012 Report Posted June 29, 2012 YES, a beautiful sword, I just have one question, how is the Tsuka attached to the Nakago, as I see no visible , or Mekugi on it anywhere. I'm just curious, is it permanently attached, and could never come off. Yes, truly an awesome find, and a beautiful blade. Brian Quote
brannow Posted June 29, 2012 Author Report Posted June 29, 2012 Hi if your referring to the first sword I posted. The grommet at the end of the handle were the serute or tassel suspender is probably also is a threaded bolt and screw like on the copper handles nco swords. On the copper handled nco swords the bolt is at the end of the handle and goes through the handle and the end of the tang. I looked briefly today for my other copper handled nco to take a photo of it but could not find it. I will find it tomorrow. Quote
bmoore1322 Posted June 29, 2012 Report Posted June 29, 2012 No biggie, I understand now, I was just curious, that's all. Thanks Brian Quote
Stegel Posted July 13, 2012 Report Posted July 13, 2012 Also, I've noticed that the position of Suya markings and kokura canon balls on fuchi are switched. You have a sharp eye Shigezo S. 加州住繁蔵, i also have one with a similar switch of stampings, i have attached a picture for you to see. It's the centre one of the three, the image name indicates the matching serial numbers respectively. Brian, this is for the militaria collectors amongst us, if you feel it is inapproriate, please remove. Ernst Quote
bmoore1322 Posted July 14, 2012 Report Posted July 14, 2012 I don't care for these NCO swords, as I like the traditional Ito wrapping on the Tsuka, but something about this one that i do like. Really nice. Brian Quote
shigezo Posted July 14, 2012 Report Posted July 14, 2012 Hi Ernst, Nice sets of copper handled Type 95s. Thanks for sharing the nice collections. I wish I had one and am still hoping someday I own one. What I like about Type 95 is that they are government issued military hardware and it also having these variations and anomaly we encounter sometimes fascinates me. Shigezo S. 加州住繁蔵 Quote
Dr Fox Posted October 24, 2012 Report Posted October 24, 2012 Hi Bill Puzzled at the title "Very rare prototype NCO sword" Quote: This totally mass-produced copy of the officers shin-gunto was introduced, it is thought, in 1933 or 1934 and issued to NCO's as a regulation requirement. The most distinctive feature is the hilt, which is a complete cast aluminium (sometimes brass) copy of the officers pattern. Well detailed, it is painted to represent the normal coloured binding and same. the seperate plain copper fuchi bears the Koishikawa Kokura arsenal symbol. Brass aoi-shape or, occasionally thin blackened-iron tsuba are used with only two seppa. The painted olive green steel scabbards have one ashi and a fixed shoe. A spring clip, affixed to the top edge of the hilt, passes through the tsuba to engage with a throat fitting and retain the sword in the scabbard. Leather combat covers are rarely fitted, but may denote usage by a senior NCO, or Warrant officer when found" Military swords of Japan. Fuller and Gregory. Picture examples Page 38 Plates 49 + 50 Page 40 Plates 51 + 52 Note Plate 52 is a leather combat covered example. (an edit here) Re-reading my post, it could be taken that the book reference, be used to class the sword under discussion. Not at all, it was to indicate the difference from the norm. What a great find, and a brilliant conversation piece. Denis. Quote
Dr Fox Posted October 25, 2012 Report Posted October 25, 2012 Just an enquiry as to the nakago-tsuka fixing, the sarute passes through the retaining bolt? as on the copper tsuka models! Ok got that, but this sword does not seen to have any keyways, or flats to allow easy removeal! how does that work? The sarute doesn't double up as a mekugi surely. What have I missed? Denis Quote
Baka Gaijin Posted October 25, 2012 Report Posted October 25, 2012 Hi Denis, "Puzzled at the title "Very rare prototype NCO sword" If you look at the first post in this thread and follow the link, you will see why this really is a rare prototype and quite different to the normal NCO sword in the following ways: The blade does not have a Habaki, nor was one intended by the look of the fit at the Koiguchi, and the officer type saya with Ishizuki with Cherry blossoms and a leaf, Semegane with Kashiwaba, Haikan with Cherry blossoms & Kuchigane with Cherry blossoms. I've never seen one like it. Cheers Quote
george trotter Posted October 25, 2012 Report Posted October 25, 2012 Also, regarding your question Denis about the eyelet screw heads on the "kashira" being without slots. This appears consistent with the eyelets on Type 94 and 98 officer' smounts. They look like they are similar to the usual male and female threaded slot-less eyelets that simply screw in and out by finger pressure once the sarute is removed (This is how it looks to me). Hope this helps. Regards Quote
Dr Fox Posted October 25, 2012 Report Posted October 25, 2012 I posted a reply on this thread earlier, can't see where its gone? No matter, this is a very, very nice find. Congrats. Denis Quote
Stu W Posted November 1, 2012 Report Posted November 1, 2012 Hello Bill, Maybe it's my computer monitor but I see what appears to me to be a brass tsuka sword at the link you post. Is it really a copper tsuka as it's being referred to here? Regards, Stu Quote
brannow Posted November 5, 2012 Author Report Posted November 5, 2012 Hi Stu, The prototype is a plated aluminum. I did post a copper handle nco earlier for reference. Hope this helps, 1 Quote
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