Early Vintage Nagoya Type 95

[Bruce Pennington]

Just picked this up from Chris (Coloradocowboy). I've already got a good selection of 95s but I've always wanted one with a black saya, plus this is SO early in serial number AND it has the exact same 4 stamps as the example on Ohmura's webpage.

 

It really needs a new habaki. The original is really beat up, curved sides, and a split. It's also got an odd inset notch that sets against the mune-machi - all resulting in a pretty significant gap before the first seppa. It came with an ungly, hand-made brass spacer (I hesitate to call it a seppa!) that tightened it up, but kept the latch from engaging the saya.

 

So I'm searching for a good replacement habaki. I've tried a couple of habaki from other 95s I own but they're too small - the mune of the nakago on this baby is slightly thicker! I haven't had a chance to try my late-war 95, I think it's got a thick nakago mune. I'll update when I get a chance (on a work trip for a while).

[Shamsy]

The present habaki may not original to the NCO Bruce. Unfortunately I cannot help you with a habaki, since I don't have many bits on hand. Might be hard to find one but I'll keep my eye out for you. I was just reading about this sword on WA. Very nice, now I want one! If wishes were horses.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Replacement habaki will be tricky, even on these NCO's there's always a bit of unique fitting. My advice would be to throw a seppa or two under it or hit it with some shim stock.

[IJASWORDS]

Hi Bruce, the handle looks yellow. Is it copper or aluminium? Neil.

[Bruce Pennington]

Hi Bruce, the handle looks yellow. Is it copper or aluminium? Neil.

Yes, sorry, Neil, it's just the lighting. It's your standard aluminum tsuka.

[Bruce Pennington]

Update: I tried the habaki from my Late-war 95 and it fit pretty good. Before I go searching for another like it, I've decided to pack some steel putty in the top edge to see if I can get the original one to fit better. I'll update that tomorrow.