dwmc

Good point Bruce, the strands do appear unusually pristine compared to the rest of the tassel, yet I do notice damage to the (ball) on one side. Although, I can say this with reasonable certainty, color of tassels in photographs is almost never exact, and can be extremely deceiving. Dave M.

Yes, very worn General's tassel! Dave M.

I get your concern Pat! I'm not suggesting a major production meant for the general public, simply a bit more of a show and tell for those members who are unable to attend. I've attended several sword shows and found dealers where extremely cautious whom they allowed to handle their swords... Yet I've also seen an accident or two at shows, even with the experienced! Dave M.

Agreed, Brian's video was a bit lacking for many of us craving additional footage. Yet, I'm sure things were traveling at light speed for Brian waiting for years to attend the show. However, it would be nice in the future, for someone skilled in videography to produce a longer video high lighting the show more extensively. Showing more tables and items for sale, introducing vendors and attendees, possibly displaying some of the most interesting items available... Dave M.

Possible clue.... notice the tassel in jeep44's photo, take note of the tassel ends being folded over and back which lay beneath tassel itself. I submit in most deterioration cases, the tassel threads and ball would fall away yet the folded lanyard would remain intact. A cut tassel would appear severed and would not have the sewn fold back end section. My apologies Bruce for veering off original subject! Best regards, Dave M.

Good example John, my comment implied deterioration was never the case whereas it may certainly be in many situations. I suspect the tassels ends are actually the "weak link" with Japanese sword tassels. I do maintain however in the case of mine and many others do appear to be purposely cut for whatever the reason. This is the fun and yet frustration with collecting and studying Japanese swords how small seemingly insignificant situations such as this occur when there doesn't appear to a definitive answer... Best regards, Dave M.

With all due respect Ian and keeping the subject on the side of not being particularly serious. I still have to side with John as most tassel ends were intentionally cut. If anyone is dreaming it's thinking one or both tassel ends wore out and fell off ... Please! No, it certainly doesn't make sense to most of us, but who knows what one is thinking in the heat of the circumstance. However, definitely a occurrence which shows up occasionally of which we may never know the true answer. Best regards, Dave M.

I've long felt a missing tassel/tassels ends were a result the Japanese officer either purposely defacing the tassel or removing one or both ends as a momento of the sword they were required to surrender. The tassel below is a possible example attached to a Shin Gunto I've owned for many years. Dave M.

Most likely as you suggested, simply a variation of an early Inspector grade sword! Dave M.

I owned a (# 3 Kanetsugu on Mal's list) for several years. The sword was also dated 1944 in Type 3 mountings and had a Gifu stamp. Could never locate much on this particular Kanetsugu, so really appreciate the information above! Dave M.

If I were to own this koshirae holding a beautiful Ayasugi Gassan Sadakaktsu sword with a General's tassel...I wouldn't want "no more." Dave M.

Yes, please post the link! Dave M.

Geez Matt, had I the misfortune of the swords you shared above, I would most definitely be wary also... Dave M.

Nice looking Nobukuni Evan. Yes, as Ray mentioned, it appears the Tsuka has been repaired with replacement same' and tsukamaki. As with Bruce, I'm also curious about your interesting collection. I not only see two upper grade Rinji Seishiki but also a Type 98 gunto. Mind sharing those also ?? Dave M.

This all seems rather odd, Type 95 copper handles with mis-matched numbers. The two currently for sale on Ebay are also mismatched numbers. Just coincidence ??

Agree, take John's advice. Restoration (Basically a nightmare) Locating proper fitting parts, chuso, fuchi, etc, is difficult, if not close to impossible in some cases. Below is an example I've been working on for close to a year, chuso, fuchi, menuki, wiring. Seppa still aren't correct... Dave M.

I received a reply from the seller in Japan. He indicated the sword was actually (Sensya-tai) wwll tank corp. I would like to have known if he got this information from a direct relative of the original (Sensya-tai) soldier. He didn't have or offer further information beyond what I suspect he had been told by the individual he purchased the sword from and didn't indicate if the person was or wasn't a relative with firsthand knowledge. I guess as with many of the wwll Shin-gunto swords there will always be an unknown element attached. We can either believe what little information may be available or reject it entirely. Appreciate the interest and comments, Dave M.

Probably something I should have done in the first place, however I'll recontact the seller and inquire as to the reason for using an abbreviated airplane term in reference to a Gunto koshirae. Hopefully he will provide an explanation as to his logic, could be interesting. I'll post an update...

Quite possibly Bruce or maybe just to confuse guys like me. The odd thing about this term was both swords where listed in Japan and both had the buckle attachment. One of the desciptions actually referred to sword as crew gunto type. Apparently the term originated with Japan seller or sellers. Another odd one... Dave M.

I recently shared a WWll Gunto in which I eventually came to the conclusion it was most likely a late war sword using sparse components available at the time and was used very little if at all in combat due to its exceptional condition. This however, is not the reason for this topic. I failed to mention in the previous thread my sword was listed as a long wakizashi 22" in (Zerosen koshirae.) My question is, what exactly is meant by Zero-sen koshirae ? I've noticed only a couple times in the past this type koshirae description used, and also like the sword I purchased had a buckle type fastener through the tusba, rather than the more traditional button snap. Is this a term (Zero-sen) used for possibly a crew sword, pilot sword??? Any information appreciated. Dave M.

I thought I would share a final comment on what I believe this sword is based on the responses above. As mentioned, I purchased this sword from Japan, so it's definitely not a post war bring back job, although it could have been a post war Japanese creation as Dave R. suggested. True, buckles are not that unusual on leather field covers, however, cheap "tin toy" type buckles are not. When I dismantled the sword there was heavy (verdigris) on the leather fastening seppa, tsuba, and other metal seppa. You may also notice, compared to Dave's field cover examples, the material is different, and the quality is certainly lower. Also, I notice there are no metal eyelets and are tied together with string. The fittings are fairly decent, the tsuka ito is in almost "too good' of condition. The tsuka and saya cover are only moderately damaged and show no evidence as ever being in the field. The blade itself is in excellent condition outside of a couple of small rust areas. So what does this amount to...I'll be the first to admit, I have a weakness for Gunto which are a bit out of the ordinary even though not particularly significant in any meaningful way. After looking at the sword upon arrival, taking note of lack of snaps, metal eyelets, the heavy verdigris, string binding, possible pig skin, rusted rivet and buckle, yet fairly decent craftsmanship. It occurred to me this is classic last ditch/late war work? My thinking is this is a very late war, (put together) sword which was assembled by what items were available at the time. I theorize the war ended, the sword was worn very little if at all, was not turned in at wars end, and was hidden away for the 70 + years until a few months ago... This of course can only be based only on a preponderance of what evidence is available, but at least to me seems to be a fairly reasonable possibility. Only being able to speculate on what (may) have occurred with many of these WWll era gunto is part of the frustration as well as fun with WWll sword collecting. Dave M.

I agree with your observation Dave. Typical it isn't. I would go so far as to say it isn't cow leather. Possibly pig, or some other leather type of material. It is extremely supple, and yet has the appearance (in hand) as having considerable age, at least WWll era? There is however a sewn chape at the end of the saya fashioned out of the same type material. The sword is out of Japan, so it's definitely not a bring back "Bubba job." Very odd indeed!!! Dave M.

I suspect it's original to the cover due to the fact as Bruce pointed out it is the same leather and definitely old. However, as John mentioned, it is a light weight buckle, of which you certainly wouldn't expect to find on a serious field combat cover. I guess it seemed like a good idea at the time to the leather craftsman, yet the photo of the leather attachment seppa was the end result of the great "buckle" experiment. Appreciate the comments and hope members enjoy seeing something a bit out of the ordinary. Dave M.

Leather seppa with appendage missing...

Thought I would share this example of a leather field cover which used a buckle rather than a snap. It was attached by a leather seppa with a belt like appendage which passed through the tsuba into the buckle. The leather seppa was still with the sword, yet the appendage has long been missing for obvious reasons. However, still a bit interesting. The sword appears to possibly be shinto era. Ubu, mumei, decent polish, well balanced, rather elegant and a sword I'm sure would have been a first choice of a WWll soldier to carry into combat. Dave M.