dwmc

Not attachment instructions but at least a photo of how it is properly threaded . I personally haven't had good luck with leather conditioners, particularly on older leather and have actually done more harm than good. Others may have advice on a safe product. Happy to see the tassel/knot is in good condition. Non-commissioned officers Gunto 1935 (Type 95 Guntō)/title> (ohmura-study.net) Dave M.

$ 526.00 price tag according to Vajo's post .

Yes, an interesting little group of items Grev , not to mention the ivory netsuke. However, most of us have a limited budget to varying degrees... Painful for now, but something most all of us have experienced... Dave M.

Well, there you have it Trystan, a buckle knot/tassel on a iron guard NCO. You can never know for sure as to how these things occur. I guess I'm a bit like Dave R. and am reluctant to change something if there is even the slightest possibility it is how the WWll owner intended it, even if it was not "officially correct." I mentioned I had sort of a "gut feeling" the non-buckle tassel was original to the sword , but only because the leather looped around the sarute has the appearance of being in that position for an extremely long time. Who knows...it will remain as is for now. Thanks again, Dave M.

Thanks Trystan , According to guy in possession of the sword for many years, he claimed it's the tassel which as always been on the sword. I personally had nothing more than a "gut feeling" the tassel, while not the official tassel as Hamish suggested , for what ever reason was original to sword. If you've have seen others, it's apparently not that uncommon. Much appreciate your generous knowledge, Dave M.

Excellent, I was hoping it would be a NMB member !!! Looks great, congrats, will look forward for additional pictures ! Dave M.

This NCO tassel just sold yesterday. I actually thought it might bring an even higher price, but as you say, you can never really tell from pictures it's true condition. I have a feeling the one on the sword now may be for what ever reason, the one that was on it originally, but who knows, will keep a look out for future buckle type. I now see how the buckle type tassel would be the only kind to attach to handle properly... Japanese NCO sword Tassel Portepee early model | eBay You got a good price for yours !! Dave M.

There's a very nice early "buckle" type leather Tassel with 11 hrs. left on ebay right now. Offered by Pcay, currently $202.00 , considered putting a fairly high max. bid. However, it occurred to me, it may be one of the board members, possibly one of the long time 95 enthusiast is a possible bidder, therefore , I won't bid. If it is one of the board members, Good Luck, hopefully it won't go crazy high $$ !! Dave M.

Appreciate the compliment Hamfish , as I mentioned previously, I almost stumbled on to the sword ( not literally ) by accident. It was in a small shop a few miles from where I live. It had different characteristics from what I was used to seeing in Type 95's, green paint color, etc.. Everything looked somewhat right, but I was apprehensive because it was almost too good. However, I decided I can't pass it up, and appreciate you guys on the NMB for confirming it's not a reproduction ! What I understood from the seller, the original owner said the tassel was the one that has always been on the sword. I'll keep a look out for the buckle type, I was curious as to whether current tassel was correct. Hey, thanks again, Dave M.

Thank you Ron, The sword had the tassel on it when I purchased it, and felt as though it was a excellent bonus to the transaction! Thank you also Chris, Believe me, it will remain in good care!

Thank you Trystan, Bruce, and E.M. This is all good news I was hoping to hear. I've read most of all of your post regarding the Type 95 NCO's and was glad to get your confirmation as this not being a reproduction or repaint. Maybe, a addition of the copper handle variant next... Thank you again Gentlemen, Dave M.

Couple of additional photo's.

I've had the opportunity in the past to add a Type 95 NCO sword to my collection. I recall passing up 95's even during the days they could be purchased for as low as $125.00 US or less. The only thing I can attribute not buying a 95 back then was a bit of a arrogant attitude in my younger years in thinking the 95 was somehow a bit inferior to 98's or 94's. Many of the Type 95's I would see were aluminum handles with paint missing , shiny, I thought, why would I want one of these machine made Shin-gunto imposters in my collection. I'll never forget my grandmother on occasion saying , " There's no fool like an old fool " while casually glancing in my grandfather's direction. Of course, my grandfather would ignore the allegation as though this could not possibly apply to himself. Well, I've arrived to the point where in many situations I could be classified in the old fool category. Especially when it comes to the Type 95's. For a few years now, I've come to my senses , and thought how could any Japanese military sword enthusiast not have a least one Type 95. Recently, I stumbled on to a NCO sword and could not pass up the opportunity to purchase it. The tsuka retains est. 90 % of original paint, the saya retains est. 80 % of paint and has no dents. The blade is close to pristine with a bit of rust and no chips. Looking at the construction of this sword I can't help but notice how well made it is. Everything fits almost perfectly, the design and craftsmanship is excellent. I honestly think the balance is actually better than some of my 98's. I apologize about my bloviating digression from the intended topic, but wanted to compliment all the diehard Type 95 folks. I was wrong about these swords , they are truly an honest to goodness contribution to Japanese military swords. Ok, my question to the 95 guys; The matching serial number is 80849, does this place it in the series just after the copper handle group? The tsuka is not the typical brown color normally seen, but more of a khaki green, is this a legitimate variant ? The kissaki has a yokote , is this something which was added to (some) blades? The tsuba is approx. 11mm in thickness, does this indicate earlier manufacture?? Also, there are no serial numbers stamped on ishizuki ? Hopefully these are all proper characteristics of true Type 95 NCO sword and not a reproduction or one which has been repainted ! Thanks in advance, Dave M.

Excellent research Thomas ! If your information turns out to be accurate, which is highly likely, Fuller apparently had a suspicion Java was possibly the source of these swords. I need to remind myself occasionally the sphere of influence of Imperial Japan during that time period. Many areas of Japanese occupation were thousands of miles removed from the mainland. The desire or need for swords in these remote areas continued without the availability of traditional Japanese sword smiths. Therefore, the production of swords (if needed) fell upon the local craftsmen under the supervision of the Japanese. If this was the case, what I find a bit fascinating, is how the craftsmen in these remote locations were allowed to apply what I guess would be considered their "local flare" to these creations. Although, the argument could be made they weren't allowed to forge identical copies of the famed Japanese Shin-gunto! However, Shamsy did say he had seen a copied type 98 mount with Java blade?? Just a thought, Dave M.

Appears to have been a fairly nice looking wakizashi at one time. Oyatsubu same kawa with interesting gold colored menuki. I suspect it would fall under the "relic" category at this point. I can see someone adding it to their collection study piece. Possibly worth a couple hundred Euros at best. Agree...36% commission is on the high side. Good luck should you decide to bid, I would be curious as to the auction results. Dave M.

Happy to see there was a mistake in the photo's Grev. I was at first thinking Damn...were the Chinese producing Fakes that long ago... Dave M.

It was in a town in the American southwest many, many, years ago, my parents owned a 15 acre place a few miles outside the town. The house had a utility room toward the back area which also contained a small closet. It was a rather dark room, with a window which allowed early morning sunlight to stream though depending on the position of the curtains. I don't recall my father (not yet 10 yrs home from serving in the 11th airborne during WWll ) bringing me into the utility room. All I remember (as if it were yesterday) standing there as my Dad reached in to the closet, retrieved and showing me what I now know was a late war TALW bayonet. I may have been 4 or 5 yrs old at the time, but remember thinking, Ok, that's great but not really all that impressive. The next item (much better) was a excellent condition Army parade saber with a General officers Tassel dangling from the handle, don't have a clue as to why the tassel was on the Type 19, even to this day. Next was a small wakizashi mounted in a rather beat up, stained shirasaya , again ok, but nothing to get too excited about. Finally, out came a Shin-Gunto , it was stunning, as my father withdrew the sword from the sheath, the early morning sunlight, through the partially opened curtains, danced up and down the pristine polished blade as sunlight across shimmering water. It was mesmerizing, what exactly (in my 5 yr old mind) type device is this. Long extended handle beautifully wrapped, ornate fittings, something captured me at that moment, and has stayed with me my entire life... The Shin-Gunto my father showed all those years ago was obviously not what could be considered my first sword, however it was an experience which led me to a life long enthusiasm for Japanese swords. Dave M

Tom Helm, I'm very happy you responded, and in retrospect should have mentioned you and the Northern California Japanese Sword Club for potential guidance... Chris (Vajo), if your missing something in translation, I apologize, nothing complicated, just a young man looking for information on his inherited sword. Again , no one is suggesting the sword is anything but what it is, but simply encouraging a young person to become interested in researching and possibly collecting Japanese swords... I lived in Ca. for many years and attended several SF sword shows as well as many sword and gun shows. I was invited to a gun/sword show in the Bay area years ago and was bringing a Shin-gunto to gather information. I had managed to previously translate the Nakago inscription. There were many sword dealers at the show and most were interested in taking a look at my sword. Not one was able to translate even a single character of the inscription. This was the case as I moved from dealer to dealer, for the most part they had nothing positive to say but " I'll give ya a hunerd dollers fer er." Eventually, I arrived at a booth which had several nice Japanese swords, the gentleman there was very friendly and asked permission to look at my sword. He removed the tsuka and immediately translated the inscription, instantly knew who, when, and where the sword was forged. How could you not be somewhat impressed. He also pointed out it was well forged Gendaito. I relayed to him what I had experienced with most other dealers there and his response was not at all complimentary toward the others. The gentleman was Harunaka Hoshino. I later began hearing negative information about Mr. Hoshino, and was frankly rather stunned judging from my personal experience with him. I have since heard many negative opinions regarding Mr. Hoshino and not for a moment doubt Mr. Tom Helm's assessment of him. However, I did mention Mr. Hoshino's has a spurious reputation, but I also have to say, in my opinion the guy knows his swords.... Agree with John and Bruce, SF sword show is best bet, Tom Helm and others will be there and am sure they will be happy to help, all friendly knowledgeable people. Also, with all due respect to Bruce, I would wait for the sword show with tsuba, unless you are sure of precise measurements, they rarely fit properly off ebay. Again, good luck and best regards to all ! Dave M.

I'll pm you David. I may still have his contact #. Mr. Hayashi is almost always at the San Francisco sword show as well as many other good sword information individuals. Worth a visit if you can, normally in Aug., will probably return this year depending on Covid situation. Also a good place to match up an appropriate tsuba for your sword. No better way to match up replacement parts than "in hand." Also, no one is suggesting you have a blade worth several thousand dollars to polish, but only to economically take a look at what it may be or have been. There are a few of us, if not many, whom try to realize, and appreciate historical/sentimental value in a Shin gunto, and not necessarily the value judged as whether it is mere trash if it is not a pristine big name Gendaito. Your Grandfather left it to you, cherish it... Dave M.

David. Too me, your sword appears to be severely shortened (o-suriage), as the very end of the nakago-jiri (tang) looks to have a partial mekugi ana (hole for mekugi pin). If this is the case, then the blade was (crudely) shortened by several inches, and has suffered most every other form of abuse as well. Depending on where you are in California, I would advise getting the sword to Jimmy Hayashi in San Francisco to take a look, possibly open a window. Harunaka Hoshino and others in the bay area could also provide an assessment.( Harunaka has a somewhat spurious reputation, but knows Japanese swords well)! Mr. Hayashi would definitely be my first choice. Your sword from the photo's shown, does not look particularly promising, however, you never know, and the suggestion mentioned above would be the least expensive and most definite way to find out. The Koshirae , as mentioned is higher grade, present sword could be a lower end replacement for original, but then...many possibilities! Good luck, and let us know what you find out. Dave M.

Interesting...two more variants ! I think I'll assume it's intention was the preferred reading as you suggested being "Hiratoshi." Thank you again Moriyma !

Excellent, Thank you !

Hiratoshi saku? is the inscription on one the Kai-gunto swords in my collection. Until recently, I just assumed it was the signature of a sword smith whom at least had something to do with the construction of the blade at the Toyokawa naval arsenal. The name appears in Ohmura's Gunto site, as well as Mr. Malcolm Cox's recent article regarding Kai-gunto naval swords. In Mr. Cox's article (which is excellent) the Hiratoshi kanji is listed as possibly Hei Shun saku, Taira Shun saku, or Taira Toshi saku. Would anyone happen to have any idea of which is correct translation ??? Any information (even speculative) would be greatly appreciated... Dave M.

Obviously interesting enough for Fuller to have one in his personal collection. No, I wouldn't bet on it being "Java" made as well ! Would still be interested as to where. The answer is out there, your area of expertise Bruce... Dave M.

Additional information: Plate 55 and 56 as pictured by Peter. Dave M.