Shamsy

He makes nice looking tables.

Now, I have no idea if this is a business or personal address, and maybe I'm old fashioned in this, but is it acceptable to post a phone number and address on a public, international forum? If this is all business information of course that's fine... But PM may have been better.

Yes, I believe it is possibly unissued. It still has the original cotton strands to hold it together. If was for sale along with a number of other items and a seemingly matching set of Japanese naval items. What I REALLY wanted were the original, beautifully preserved copies of the Australian government propaganda from Papua New Guinea. I couldn't read it, but believe it was an offer to the locals to be paid for any Japanese soldier they captured and brought to the allies. Alas, limited funds and they were highly priced. I did get a second opinion before buying the tassel so it wasn't a stab in the dark.

Good news folk! Thanks to the brilliant team at my local office, the sword is off on its way once again! With complementary postage, insurance and tracking. The manager personally saw to the shipment and wrote a long, explanatory note stating the sword was inspected, secure and okay to send. A copy of our Border Security documents was also included. We think this is just a classic case of the ‘alarmist know-it-all’ and hopefully all will go well this time. What is funny to me is that the first complaint was closed with no resolution, the ombudsmen complaint got their attention and the original complaint re-opened and better attended, but at the end of the day it was my local post office that sorted it out and provided the care, service and reasonable approach we all want. I'll keep you posted. Fingers crossed 3rd time's the charm.

Nothing like that luckily! I'm aware that ivory causes a real stink everywhere now, but surprised horn would be an issue? Aussie customs are usually okay provided the product is in a ‘finished state’.

Hi Ken, That's fantastic thank you. More than I was able to find! Luckily Australian customs are very clear, but the U.S. seems to only list things you can't bring, as you mentioned. Hopefully I've got enough now to present a good case if the sword gets stopped AGAIN. At this time everyone seems to be on my side, so fingers crossed I will get this resolved!

I have only two tassels. One a late war officer blue and brown that I took off a pattern 8 NCO. Then I have the red one I think I read was around major rank. I honestly know nothing about tassels other than what I can read in books. I avoid them because I couldn't recognise a fake and I find them a little fragile for my liking. Probably should get one NCO tassel though. I will post them tonight, see what you guys think. Here they are. What do you think?

Hi Ken, I know there is no issue, but flaming Australia Post (only the muppets in Melbourne anyway) may need convincing. What I need is something similar to this: https://www.border.gov.au/Busi/Impo/Proh/Firearms-and-weapons If you open the expandable ‘Common firearms and weapons list’ it states that sword importation is unrestricted in Australia. I need a U.S. equivalent, so I can definitively prove that neither our, nor the U.S. customs prohibit importation of swords. Australia Post is relying on a very broad and incorrect page they have that states that both ‘knives’ and ‘weapons’ are restricted imports into the U.S. Again, I know this is utterly ridiculous, but I need concrete evidence to back that assertion. Apparently the fact the sword came from the U.S. is not enough. I'll add that my local post office are great and entirely on my side. It's clowns in the city that are ignorant. A problem when I am relying on them as the ‘experts’.

I hope you don't mind me raising a new topic Brian, but I didn't want my request to be lost in my rant thread! Are any of the U.S. members aware of where I might find information regarding the importation of swords into the U.S.? I found something to do with importing through travel luggage, but I'm specifically after postal (or something that would cover postal). It needs to be formal, no Yahoo answers thanks!

The sword has arrived back at my local post office, with a dangerous goods sticker on it. Local manager has been fantastic, but I need the help of the U.S. members please. Could you please provide a link or some such to a page in U.S. customs that states the importation of swords into the U.S. is not restricted? I have the Aussie end covered, but could not find anything on the U.S. side.

The pictures are so bad I really wouldn't be comfortable saying yes or no. Stegel and I usually agree... but I don't really like all I see enough to say yes... and there's enough also to discount an immediate no... I have to abstain, unless better pictures can be provided, in good light and focus, higher resolution.

Hi Bazza, great to see you're still keeping an eye on the rookies here! The good news is the complaint seems to have 'climbed the pecking order' quite successfully. Turns out that lodging a complaint with the ombudsman is in fact a good way to prevent people from automatically closing a complaint and fobbing you off. I was much more impressed with this response, where I believe the officer actually put in some effort into it this time. So things are looking up. Will keep you posted, but maybe this matter can be finally cleared up, hopefully for the benefit of all Aussie sword collectors.

Dave; That was why I added I did not take offense, as I did not think that it was your intent to insinuate anything at all. But I did want to put a reply, on the off chance someone thinks that was the case. It really is hard to communicate online, as you can read all sorts of tones into something that may or may not be intended. Bruce; That's very flattering mate, but undeserved. There's no way I'd call myself an expert on anything! I just happen to enjoy 95s and try to absorb as much about them as possible. Occasionally I can provide a snippet of useful information, not much more. Paul; Not trying to have an argument (though I think it's been rather pleasantly civil so far), so I will include some more provenance for the sword. This has once again come from Nick and his work translating old documents - "Changes from 24th June 1939, in which the most notable change was the change in the cord wrap pattern of the grip, but the Mekugi hole position, Mekugi screw configuration, wood inlay size for the grip were also changed at the same time." Here is the spec change document from the Japanese National Archives that details these changes - Stegel; Good to see you, I was hoping you'd arrive! No point discussing the sword, we know what we have there. I'm of two minds on the saya myself. To me it seems to be a reasonably genuine, if slightly unusual piece. I've seen pictures from a private collection of nery similar saya throats attached to officer swords, so to me the configuration is correct enough. I've really said it all already, but the fitting quality does not sit well with me, though the rest of the saya seems okay. I had assumed that no one would manufacture a part, and I still think it's unlikely really. This is not on the level of the prototype aluminium sword, so it seems hardly worth the bother really. But it could be anything. Guy; The sword along is worth hanging onto. I think that the saya is ever an issue of contention. I know there were all sorts of questions I have had over odd swords, not to mention one I have with weird filing marks. Of course later, thanks to the tenacity of Bruce with his 'need to know' attitude, we found out that it was a roman numeral system, and my sword actually matched! So what seemed like a hodge-podge of pieces was, in my mind, verified as an original matched piece. At the end of the day, I think Guy, holding the sword is the one best placed to make a call on the saya. We each have an opinion, but it's probably not something we'll be able to definitively determine.

I'm really rather confused at this point. I've only stated the sword is genuine beyond doubt. Never the saya? You only seem to be providing a rebuttal on the saya in the second post? Now my opinion on the saya is only that, an opinion (which has been acknowledged how many times already?), though it seems to fit in with the period of private purchase that occured, so that theory is as valid as any. Here, let me quote myself; “the saya falls within the realm of what we call ‘prototype’ or unique. My main concern is the crude nature of the fittings. They are not very well made. However, everything is standard pattern and the throat matches many well known patterns on Japanese swords.” So...... That's really no different than what you later say. Is it a prototype? Well if not it is certainly unique! So I guess I'm probably covered there too. Now I've carefully read the rest of my posts and can find no point at which I state the saya is guaranteed genuine, only that my opinion is that it is period. “The only question is the saya, so the good part is you are half way there!” The post with the photo too, not even a mention of the saya? Anyway, I've provided a bit of information for folks to take away on early production, aluminum hilted Suya. Not many of these old girls left, so if you see one and can't decide if it is real or not, do let me know!

You're very welcome Guy. I only collect the Type 95s and while I'm interested in other swords and still get a little carried away, I've managed to steer myself back on track each time... Okay, the Mantetsu was an exception... Anyway... The best part of NCO collecting are the many, many variations across time, makers and patterns. I find it fascinating and always seem to find exceptions and interesting oddities... Like your sword. I've become leery of quick conclusions, because there really is so much depth to the subject the books don't touch. It's out there, for the most part, if you dig deep enough.

I'm not taking offense Dave, but I will add that I never stated it was fake, quite the opposite. The offers to buy were and are completely genuine, if a little tongue-in-cheek. I'm not in the business of ripping people off, or I would have said from the start it was fake and simply made a low offer from there. It's an interesting sword due to the saya and I would happily add to my collection.

Heavy sigh. The sword is an early example by Suya. They are the only contractor that produced swords in the 6500-8000 range. These swords are readily apparent by not only their low serial numbers, but by the unique tsuka-ito pattern which is a direct copy of the copper handle series. You with this find that both sides do NOT mirror each ither, but in fact reflect the true pattern of a real ito wrap. The tsuka style was later changed to be a mirror image on either side, with one exception that's off topic. These swords also exhibit a different screw variety to the later patterns. You will note that one side peirces the middle of a raised band of ito, while the other is centered in a diamond of ito. This was not a consideration on copper handle for obvious reasons, but seems to have been unsatisfactory once the second screw was added within the handle. The patina is a near perfect match for these swords. Of the three examples I have studied in hand, they all seem to be in similar state. You may also find that the tsuba is thicker, in line with the copper handles. Presumably width was reduced shortly after the change to aluminum to save on both materials and weight. Sorry folks, but any assertion this is fake, repro or modern is simply, unequivocally wrong. I'm talking about the sword only... But I'd suggest the saya is genuine too. You can observe what I have described in the attached photos.

As stated, there is absolutely no question whatsoever that the sword is genuine. The only question is the saya, so the good part is you are half way there! Buuuuuut, if you are not sure, I will happily buy it and provide you with an alternative to purchase that conforms to typical pattern ;D

I recently stuck up for Australia Post, stating that I've never experienced any issues with them or the Border Force. Wrong! While I was returning a sword, all seemed to be going well at the Post Office. They're a good bunch there, calm and not prone to foolish outbursts or ignorant parroting. So off to a good start, tracking, SMS updates in place... and nothing, the package was lost for two weeks. I get a call. It was found, minus the shipping label. That's good news! I'm relieved frankly, so let it go. A week later there hasn't been an update. So I call in again to find out what has happened. I'm told the sword is being returned to me!! Over three weeks and it's on its way back! I'm pretty grumpy at this stage. Australia Post blame Border Force (customs). I'm sure they'll just blame each other. So I lodged a complaint, because I expect my money back of course. After all, there's absolutely no issue with sending swords to the US. I mean, it did come from there, this is a return. The answer I got is what tipped me over the edge. A copy - paste reply, addressing nothing and directing me to a page from Australia Post that states knives and weapons (what's that cover exactly?) are not able to be sent. It has to be taking the mickey now, because I'm told to contact the US embassy!! To top it off, resolved, case closed! So I spent 10 seconds of my time searching for importing swords into the US... There it is! No restrictions! Knives too, except spring or ballistic knives (fair enough really). Oh, people with one arm exempt on the spring assist. So I've raised the complaint again and also lodged a further complaint with the Commonwealth Ombudsman. I think it's about time that instead of meekly saying "oh well" something is done, which unfortunately now means having to resort to higher officer. What a terrible state of affairs. If anyone is interested in my rant, I'll let you know how it pans out. Hopefully my incoming parcels don't all arrive with shoe treads all over them.

I stopped doing that a long time ago Bruce. Even just assisting with identification. People want to sell the sword. So they purposely cry ‘rare’ and ‘mint’ without justification or study. Even on the board people hate news they don't like. EBay is a ticking bomb. Almost all sellers of fakes put a half arsed ‘don't know much about swords. Got it decades ago from vet’ or something equally ridiculous. It's funny, this immediately tells me that they know exactly what they have but are trying to throw in some kind of plausible deniability if they get caught. Another trick is to photograph a flaw/issue but not mention it.

Beyond doubt, the sword is a genuine. As to the saya. My OPINION is that it too is genuine. I cannot definitively prove that, because the saya falls within the realm of what we call ‘prototype’ or unique. My main concern is the crude nature of the fittings. They are not very well made. However, everything is standard pattern and the throat matches many well known patterns on Japanese swords. Your hypothesis of this being a private purchase is a good one. I can see no better explanation. Of course I have to state that if you ever consider selling or trading the sword, I would happily add it to my collection. Well done in an unusual find.

Better picture of the fuchi please, and that general area when the sword is assembled.

Corrected, thank you Josh

There was one with a flag for sale only a few months back. $1500 USD. I was tempted yet again but had to remember that I only collect NCO....

Bruce has politely written exactly what my reply would have been. People can scoff at paranoia as much as you like but the simple fact is they are getting better, whether through study of originals or reading well intentioned post. A number of opinions have been provided, some with hints of the issues. There are some very knowledgeable and experienced folk here and you can trust their deduction. Funny story Paul. It sounds to me like he was indeed a 3rd party procuring items. There's a technical term for it in Australia. Typically it is for food and baby goods and it is actually a livelihood. Obviously I can't be sure, but that's my guess anyway.