Bruce Pennington

Definitely some interesting topics! One from a slave of the Samurai? Can't say I've heard that discussed before.

This is precisely why I've started saving/re-posting pictures when guys only post a link to a set of pictures. Interesting ito, Neil. Seems to be laquered canvas?

So now we know JP is the regimental expert here!!! Ha! After reading Dawson's opinion of how these were carried, but then re-looking at the condition of this banner....I wonder. The banner's condition doesn't look like something that was kept in a barracks and hauled out for parades. Kind of looks like damage of some sort, not ususally found on the parade field.

Congrats Dan, nice catch! Do I see stamps on that steel fuchi? If so can you give us a closeup?

Come one Hamish! You know I can go at least 30-40 secs! Ha! First, let me say I don't study these much. What I see in Dawson, agree on the police tassel. Yet, the gunto is more likely a Company grade Army because of the 10-petal blossom and the blossom arrangement on the handguard. It's also likely a Type 8 because of the double belt hangers. The early 19s had 2, but they went to 1 ashi pretty quick in 19 production (according to Dawson). So, yes, there is a chance it's an early 19, but odds are in favor of it being an 8. Dawson says he's only seen 5 of these. I roughly recall seeing 2 or three in my 6 years on this forum. So, yep, pretty rare! Dawson says he knows of no evidence they were used in combat. He opines that they were used for parades and political marches. If you don't get anyone knowledgable about the banner, there are lots of guys on Warrelics and Wehrmacht-Awards that are really into that stuff and could tell you about it, I'm sure. Warrelics: http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/Japanese-militaria/ Wehrmacht-Awards: http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=59

Nice Sam! Can you do me a big favor and post a pic to the serial number without the habaki? The kanji, as view could be either a "Ra" or "U", and it's blocking the top of the kanji. Thanks dude! The etched kanji on the tsuba simply match the painted assembly numbers on the nakago "2 8 7"

Thanks Grew, I'll email him now!

Thanks Doug, just got a response back from Dan that it's already gone. I thought of going to fleabay, usually there are tsuka for sale. I was going to write to the seller to see if they had the bolt/nut combo still around, but there's not tsuka for sale right now.

Page 182, Dawson - Kaoru Airborne Unit, Nov 26,'44; raid on Burauen North and South Airfields on Leyte

Need a nut for the tsuka bolt to a Type 95 gunto.

My daughter was unable to complete her unemployment forms due to site saturation.

JP, Any chance you could contact them and get the date/mei/serial number pics?!!! Also, would love to see pics of the fittings. I don't recall ever seeing a Mantetsu in kaigunto fittings. Now to your point - Ha! Just pushes the median price up a bit, doesn't it! I'm sure you've seen the Mantetsu selling on Japanese sites for $6-7,000. But then all their gunto tend to be overpriced compared to ours.

Sorry to hear that, but thanks for the warning David! For those interested, there was a full discussion of these started by Sporter90 on Warrelics: http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/Japanese-militaria/imagination-runs-wild-shin-gunto-attributed-paratrooper-718072/ It was his, and Nick Komiya's, contention that they were not WWII items at all. While I respect their reasons, there are even similar themed etchings on leather saya covers. Both of which are authentic looking enough to convince both Dawson and Fuller. The idealists want to claim that the WWII Japanese soldier would have been terrified to personalize their weapons and/or uniform, thus going against Emperial Orders. But we have enough evindence, even photographic evidence, to know that simply wasn't true. Like all G.I.s of any nation, the Japanese troops occasionally had their independant streak. I believe these "paratrooper" items came from a particular small group of a unit that decided to have distinctive personalizations made to their gunto. But, yes, like all things, these have been copied, so buyer beware.

That's a good observation, Neil. Hadn't notices the variation before. Fits, though, about what we have learned about variations of other parts among the manufacturers. Showing my ignorance, but is the clasped hands the same as monkey hands? or are they different?

Thanks Bruno! I've seen a couple of guys that I've believed to be the same guy as well. Hope someone can nail that down for you. I suspect the nihonto guys have more people who follow the smiths than you'll find in the Military section. Have you considered posting your quesion on the Nihonto forum? http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/forum/3-nihonto/

I've just acquired (for re-sale) a 95 with non-matching numbers - blade: 86471; saya 80270; and am really starting to wonder if we are seeing actual in-the-field saya replacements, or even factory/arsenal replacements. At only 6000 numbers apart, this blade/saya were roughly only 3 months apart on the factory line. Seems impossibly close for a end-of-war G.I. mixed grab, or a post-war put together.

More importantly - do I have the pictures of the date, mei, and serial number of your Mantetsu!?!?!?

And since we're on the "sharpness" topic, you also have the peacetime/wartime regulation: http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/Japanese-militaria/sharpening-dulling-blades-were-taken-granted-675938/ I doubt your kaigunto falls into this category. The peacetime window was a narrow window and your kai would have been made after that.

My sentiments Stephen. It's been rolling around in my head for a while - there seems to be a group of guys who's pre-set approach is "Gimei!!!". It's like the "Shoot first, ask questions later" attitude. I know gimei exist, no question. But the percentage of blades that are proclaimed gimei on these forums seems unlikely. It's like 80% are gimei, 5-10% are legit, and 10% are could-go-either-way. I understand the need for the skeptical eye (yes even Mantetsu are being faked these days!), but is seems to me that some guys have fallen past skepticism to pessimism. Now, that simply may be because, in life, these guys ARE pessimists. But it sure puts a downer feel on everything. I'm obviously a "glass is half full" kind of guy, and admittedly often asssumes the good too easily. But I'd rather enjoy my hobby and be dissappointed now and then, than be "Bah Humbug" all the time, with the occasional surprise of joy. I doubt I've converted any Eeyores out there into Tiggers, but I needed to get that off my chest!

Jason, What kind of sword is it? Something from WWII?

Date is 1944. I’ll agree that looks like a faded stamp. In 1944, it was likely a “Gifu”. Stamp. Someone else will help with the mei.

Reminded me of the tan railway gaurd tassel, but it's two-tone tan. http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/28631-railway-swords-stamps/?hl=tassel&do=findComment&comment=290148

Is this the one you are refering to Thomas?

That’s an interesting couple of items, Thomas! Stegel’s thought was custom ordered blades by a senior (more money) NCO. Either would have the second ana.

Sold. Thanks for the interest!