Shamsy

Please post photos. With the listing removed no one else can see to offer an opinion. I can't count the number of times I see 95s incorrectly labelled as fakes because people don't recognise valid variants. Not making assertions it's real of course, but if nothing else seek more opinions and a reasonable debate. Plus it will be educational to have a reference here. I know I'd like to see what a repro or fake 32 looks like. Like Hamish, I don't recall seeing one before.

I was reading about the tassels with interest a few days ago, Bruce. We're very lucky to have all this new information being uncovered, especially when it is both in contradiction to existing information and from about as good a source as you can find (archives). Mr Dawson still responds to the email address provided in the book, as I've used this to discuss swords previously. That's the best bet.

Oh wow! That mei... Some poor bugger will be fooled though. Nice koshirae though, so it's a shame the sword is ruined.

Hi Brian, Could this thread please get a Fake tag? I use it to post different and new varieties of fake 95s. They are unfortunately getting pretty good now. Something changed in the last 6 months. Cheers

A good idea to save time searching through the thread. Nice one Bruce.

There is a fake thread I started for NCO swords. I have a few new ones to add some time. Can we tag that too?

The finger loop was removed because it interfered when wearing gloves.

That's a bit of bad news on both fronts then. I suppose they may think that the effort they put in needs some sort of guaranteed return if successful, but it is sure to put off some folk who would rather see the flag at least appreciated and looked after in the meantime. As to tone, it can be very difficult to read, so don't worry too much about that. Hopefully it's just language barriers.

A beautiful example and certainly one collectors like myself would desire. I completely understand your sentiment though. It's a little like photographs; very personal things. Nick from Warrelics has in fact posted a thread discussing how to return flags. http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/Japanese-militaria/government-Japan-will-now-act-intermediary-case-you-wish-return-war-relics-families-679338/ Please read it carefully though. As Nick points out, it is only a flag or Senninbari that was taken on the battlefield that has any true meaning to a bereaved family. Additionally, ensure you read Michael's comments. He is a wise man and I have a lot of respect for him. He has written on the subject of flags and published a book on the matter after extensive research. Considering the high regard he is held in in general, I feel it fair to call him an expert in the field. Somewhere in the middle of both sides is probably the truth, but each needs to decide. Regardless, it is a kind gesture made in good faith. Both Nick and Michael would probably be happy to translate the flag too.

Or just bidding using alternative accounts to raise the price. Very easy to do. I've never seen another seller relist swords up to 4 times.

Shill

The usual, Peter. No active rust but generally the removal of ‘proof of age’ is frowned upon. I leave all my swords in ‘as found’ condition, bar active rust. I don't think some tidying hurts though, like carefully cleaning off a machined blade. Each to their own. 32s are a fantastic sword and still very common and cheap. There's several variations from two basic patterns as well, so one can easily ‘collect’ these swords. I've toyed with the idea a few times, but there's still a lot of 95s on my list demanding attention.

Bruce's polish is also professionally done, not sandpaper and a buffer in the backyard. Anyone can make a sword shiny, but only a trained togishi won't ruin it in the meantime.

I've not seen any clear evidence of a hamon before Chris. As far as I recall, 95 blades are quenched in oil, not differentially hardened. Your sword is an exception to that pretty solid rule.

I do keep a database of copper serial numbers, as does Stegel, so if fates allow you very well may find a matching set one day. Once my computer is fixed I'll take a look. Considering there are about 6,000 swords though, it's a long shot...

Looks like it is the same thing Bruce. Which makes sense I think. My Mantetsu was carried in combat, where a cord loop would not be the strongest option. Are you sure this is what the cord sarute looks like though? It also could be ‘packing’ material for the gap between screws.

So does mine Bruce. I believe it originally had cord but was replaced at some time.

You're very welcome Chris. Looks like a lovely example of a very popular and increasingly scarce sword. Thoughts on the serial numbers... Well here are two points to remember. Officers could privately purchase a Type 95, and these are the longest serving of the various 95 patterns. I believe both these points probably contribute to some of the differences between the first pattern and later examples. You tend to see a lot more ‘personalised’ coppers, with combat covers added than later ones. I've seen plenty of coppers that are mismatched and a few (also aluminum) that seemingly have the serial numbers removed. I in fact have one such sword where the numbers on the blade are fairly crudely removed and on the saya they're barely there. It happens to be one of the swords with the second, verticle serial number. I believe they match though, as there's enough to see to guess what the originals were. Why remove numbers? To prevent the enemy determining production volumes is one obvious answer. The German army employed similar practices with production stamping on rifles I believe. Pretty sure Japanese bayonets also employ obfuscation techniques. Another option Neil already touched upon. Undamaged sword/scabbard being paired with one another; removing scabbard numbers are easier and neater than messing up a blade. Or maybe in other cases they were left on and recorded as issued but unmatched? There was probably some switching early on too, when ‘someone’, whether a soldier, dealer or collector wanted a nicer scabbard or sword and no regards were given to matching up numbers. I'm not a huge fan of the explanation that swords went in one pile, scabbard in another, with soldiers grabbing one from each pile. For a start, too many match for that to be a common practice. I've also seen pictures of captured and surrendered swords and the are all sheathed. I mean, leaving a pile of sharp blades lying around? What could go wrong? How impractical in every way. Swords don't always come with saya. I've seen 3 copper scabbard for sale in the last year, so it could always be a modern pairing. It's a guess and we'll probably never know for sure with most swords. Neil, you're lucky if you do know, but for the rest of us, just enjoy it for what it is. I've rambled a lot without saying much. I'll leave you with my incoherent thoughts for now.

Interesting, does the projectile damagr to the blade line up with the hole in the scabbard? You should move the pictures here: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/23378-any-shin-gunto-with-battle-scars/

Occassionally you find stamps on 95 blades that are very deep and dark that look similar. I wonder if it's a small inspection stamp with the details obscured?

I never made comment on the sword and don't mean to get any hopes up. Simply an observation on facts about serial numbers on later swords not necessarily being a sign of a Chinese sword.

Serial numbers are actually found on a lot of genuine ‘last ditch’ swords. It's not a sign of a Chinese sword. My mate's neighbors found a pair of swords under the floorboards of an old farmhouse they renovated and both had numbers. I've got a leather covered sword from a vet, same thing. There are plenty of examples from that final period where you get all sorts of weird and wonderful creations.

I'm not entirely sure Chris, but that could be an explanation. The fittings, other than the leather cover and saya shoe are all civilian, so it could be a sword that entered service. However, I thought it was fairly well agreed upon that the stamp indicated non-traditional methods of construction? I'm really not certain.

Apologies for the tardiness of the reply. Here is the stamped wakizashi I used to own. As mentioned, it now belongs to another board member. Interestingly the very bottom part of the saya is a wooden insert, to increase overall length.

There's a translation section that would be more appropriate. You'll get a quicker response there.