Shamsy

You have a nice enough Type 95 with the Gifu subcontractors stamp. There are a few variations of varying scarcity, but this does not appear to be any of those. It is complete and matched which is a bonus. Gifu are not the most common subcontractors but sit around the middle. The sword has developed a lovely, genuine patina to the brass over time. It would be a crime to shine that up and destroy one of the more difficult signs of a genuine sword (not that fakes are that great yet). As to the handle and scabbard, know that anything you attempt will diminish value, ‘professional’ or not. The blade... Well I am personally against it, but you could give it a fine oil and clean to remove the rust. That's rather (unfortunately) common, as any shiny NCO with dark pits will attest to. But it is your sword, so it is your choice.

It's a nice one too. Must have slipped through the cracks.

Pattern 8 Type 95 NCO to be a little more specific. Not Type 8 which as you say is unbound.

Yep, I have seen a sky blue ito wrap on a pattern 8 NCO. I suppose it could have be a shade/colour similar to blue, since I have one of the many forms of colour blindness. But it certainly was not green, brown or black. It was bright! And predicting the next responses, no, I did not save a picture (regrettably), nor do I believe it was a replacement post war.

Nice one Chris. I've been too quick to dismiss, something I've chided others for. Now it's my turn to learn.

99% of cases it's a showato unless it has the star stamp or one of the specialist stamps. I'd not hold any Hope of gendaito unfortunately.

Then perhaps my second thought if not economy? Something to do with regulation, or even just personal taste? Another thing to remember is that not all officers were front line. Swords were a status symbol, so may not be practical reasons. Another reason I doubt the ‘stealth’ theory. Too many cord sarute on naval swords too.

I expect that, despite all the stories of officers removing the sarute for ‘stealth’, it would make absolutely no appreciable difference between being heard or not. There was enough other equipment carried to rattle, twigs to snap, rocks to scuff, foliage to brush... Not to mention the soft silk/leather tassel wound around the sarute which probably stopped it from moving much to start with anyway. More likely an economy decision, or regulation. I could be wrong, so don't confuse my opinion as a fact. A little off topic maybe, but the wire sarute on 95 are sometimes found attached the wrong way around or missing. I don't believe that all, or even most, are post war tampering. There are enough original examples coming from estates and in museums to suggest that the sarute may have been removed during the war. I don't have have definitive proof again, just thought I'd share my opinion for what it's worth.

Were I a collector I'd buy it in a heartbeat (I’d try negotiating a little of course), because the opportunity to purchase a truely rare and significant sword usually only occurs a handful of times in ones life. Anyone can get any quantity of 98s, but one like this is neigh unseen. Looks nice too.

Very good! I really don't know why the NCO tassels have hit such heights, but maybe they've just risen in line with the swords? Not many around, so if tassels are your thing you've hit a jackpot!

Type-pickle: When auto correct ruins your post

It is a standard Type 98 sword for officers. A ‘budget’ one by the looks of it. Any sword can be unmarked; it has nothing to do with where it's made. The fact it has a Seki stamp simply means it's nontraditional and made in Seki.

Hi Ian, I imported it from the U.S. There are no Australian suppliers, so Unfortunately you'll pay a bit extra on postage.

This is the only product I'd recommend for cleaning, restoring and preservation. https://www.accessiblepreservatives.com/

I'll say it again, the only constant in Japanese swords seems to be inconsistencies. I've seen a lot of very nice 95s labeled as fakes very quickly because they're a little different. Open minded gets you a long way.

Thank you mods for the continuing cool, level headed input when a topic flares, saving us from Nigerian scammers (I can't believe that deal wasn't real!) and providing a place to seek and share knowledge, but never resorting to a ‘safe space’ mentality. *Doffs hat*

Looking forward to seeing what comes from this later. Keep us updated, even if It’s a while to wait.

Yes, it seems the w stamp is reasonably used on 95 tangs. It's just not often seen due to the propensity for the wretched things not to fit back together properly.

When Mr Ikeda said Manchurian, could be have been saying Chinese? As one may say ‘It’s a Detroit car’, so made in U.S.? Manchuria was also invaded precisely for the raw materials, so he may have simply been saying the steel is not native to Japan. Just a couple of thoughs, but I personally stick to my original opinion. If possible, try to take the sword to a collecting group or a togishi, because pictures are never as good as an in-hand look.

Interesting read and I like the story that goes with it (even illustrated!). There seems to be no certainty in Japanese swords except uncertainty. 95s for example; one of the most standard sword patterns and yet dozens of variants and abnormalities. Love this hobby, thanks for sharing.

Even the modern replica 95 are preferable. In fact, they're actually reasonably impressive sharpened. There's a YouTube video on it. Wait a moment... When did this become an Iai question? As to keeping, send it back. Junk if you break the blade trying to unbend. Let seller risk it.

Ruined NCO. Never something I like to hear. Why use history when there is plenty of Chinese junk available? I'll leave amateur polishing comments to others.

A handsome looking pair! Nicely preserved and of course the skin on saya is always better than lacquered. Were I still collecting officer swords I'd be jealous!

Yes, nice little summary of terminology. Cheers David

Bruce is spot on. As much as the old guard would hate to admit it, NCO have run rings around nihonto and officer swords over the last decades. A standard NCO can pull more money than a nice officers! Like any capital investment though, all Japanese swords need to be held for a significant period of time to realise a growth. Copper handles are the exception.