Sword Type

[brucer]

What type of sword is this exactly ? Type 95 ? NCO ? Gunto ? Bruce.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Type 98 Shin Gunto with combat pattern saya and leather snap retention. These were more practical and cheaper fittings options for officers compared to the standard Type 98 fittings.

[Bruce Pennington]

Hi Bruce - Bruce here!

 

You're talking about an Officer Type 98 in combat saya (scabbard). That all you need? Have you taken the tsuka (handle) off to see if there is a swordsmith name and/or date?

 

Ha! John was posting as I was, beat me by 1 minute!

[brucer]

Hey Bruce, Bruce here ! Yes I did take it apart and there's a bunch of photos of it over on the translation assistance forum. There were actually 2 swords that my dad brought back but he sold the nicer one back in 73, he never said what he got for it but later that week he bought a brand new leftover 72 Ford pickup. Bruce.

[brucer]

How hard would it be to find a menuki to replace the one that's missing on my sword ?

[Bruce Pennington]

There are a few guys who part-out stuff. I'm thinking Ozzy_Samurai (or is it Ozzy_the_Samurai?) and DaveR. You also might try Crimson Mist at: http://www.cmmilitaryantiques.com/search.php?pcat=3.

[brucer]

Ok, thanks !

[brucer]

By the way, what is the purpose of the bail on the sword handle ?

[Bruce Pennington]

Sorry, I’m not sure what you mean by “bail”.

[brucer]

The hoop thing on the pommel.

[brucer]

Looks like its made of steel

[IJASWORDS]

The "hoop thing" as you call it is a SARU TE. It is used to tie the tassel of the rank that carries the sword. Neil.

[Dave R]

 This is  a long silk cord that knots onto the "bail" aka the Sarute (monkey hands), it is an indicator of rank, and also prevents the sword being lost in the heat of the action.   

[brucer]

Thanks Guys, I don't know if I'll ever learn all the proper names for this stuff, I thought a ricasso was some type of barbecue grill.

[Bruce Pennington]

Looks like this: