Bruce Pennington

Marcin, I was traveling all yesterday. I assume John was just as busy, and he's the guy to ask for sure. An off-set chuso, as I understand, would put this into the 98 category. I've seen 98's with centered chuso, but I don't think I've seen 94's with off-set ones. John will clear it up for us. @PNSSHOGUN

I thought this was an interesting variation. They put a, for lack of a better term, reinforcement band past the haikan. Found on this Wehrmact-awards thread.

Thanks, Sam, haven't seen that one. We should be able to get a read on that from @Kiipu or @SteveM

They had suggestions for the same problem, here: Be sure to get a good Japanese sword cleaning kit. They are easy to find online for around $13. Here's a link for care and cleaning: Japanese Sword Care

Thanks, Tobi. Sam records/tracks the numbers. Search online and you can get for around $13 a good Japanese sword cleaning kit. An oiled rag will clean most of the parts and improve the look of your whole sword. Here is a link to care and cleaning: Japanese Sword Care

Pending a view of the handguard face, here are the 2 that are close in Plimpton's book: Meiji 41 Patrolman's sword 1886 Warrant Officer sword

Roger, I still could use a shot of the facing side of the handguard, please

Yes, Don might be able to make one! Forgot about him. He made some screws for me once. There are several free photo reduction sites on the web (plus many discussed here at NMB). If they are from your phone, I've found that simply editing them, even just a little, reducing the sides and top, magically brings them down enough to post. Would help if you post photos of the enlarge hole you mentioned. Is it in the aluminum handle? Might try making a leather plug, then drilling a hole in it for the barrel screw. Just an idea.

Roger! Another COS resident! Too bad I'm leaving town in 2 days, or we'd have to get together and drool over each other's swords. Can you post a photo of the pattern on the back, top of the backstrap? Also, anything on the very end of the pommel? And another shot showing the face of the handguard? I don't have my Dawson or Fuller with me. Plimpton has a couple swords with the plain disc instead of a sakura. They seem to be in the 1875 versions of Type 8 kyu gunto. He calls some "Warrant Officer" but I don't know where he got the idea that Warrant officers had their own style swords. There was a great amount of variation in those early years.

I think I might have one on file with a belt, but I suspect that was added by the collector. As to the number of kaikan (ashi), you are assuming the belt would be Navy. Army, after 1938, used one kaikan, one hanger. But remember, these souvenir swords are neither Army nor Navy. They intentionally used mixed fittings. It became illegal to sell war weapons and ship them. These were made so they were clearly never a military item.

Wow, 2 of the fold-over flaps in one day! I also like the metal drag protector. Seen that once before, but rare.

Wow, Sam, those look legit! One actually has a serial number and old paint. Just goes to show not everything coming out of China is reproduction. Tempted to buy those if no one else does. T (is that what you go by?) I don't know anything about 3D printing, but seem like a tough task when you consider all the curves in that part. I'd go for the ebay sale that Sam posted, if it were me. If you still want measurements, I can post some, though. Also would like to see the serial number and stamps. Don't know if they varied, but it might be important to know if it's a Tokyo blade or Nagoya. Their koiguchi might not be the same.

Yes, thanks Marcin. It's also one of the blades with both the large and small anchor stamps.

How'd you get them off? Were they loose enough to slip over the haikan?

My kaigunto with an old, mabye Kamakura era, blade. This is how it came to me, with the string too short, and all open. Hmm, can't get the photo larger, but if you click on it, it gets bigger.

Can't say I've ever noticed a leather cover with a flat bottom like your #1. Completely logical, when it's covering a wooden saya that is flat on the end. Just never seen it done before, that I've noticed. On another note, I can't picture what that flap is for on this last photo?

Dang, Conway, you're getting good at this!

Starting to recognize the signs of fakery! Good call, William.

Yes, ships from China. Almost always a warning sign.

Excellent kaigunto, Jan! A real beauty. I'm lousy at mon, but it seems to be a variation of the Doi or Inaba clan mon:

Evaluating these has become a real muddle, these days. In the old days, the immediate response would have been "Chinese Fake!". We've since learned that there were various locations in occupied China and Southeast Asia that were making swords for their own forces as well as for the Japanese. So, anyone buying something like this would have to do it going in with the knowledge that it's, at best, 50/50 a fake or an island sword. The nakago on this is considerably better made than the obvious fakes we see. The ana is smaller than Japanese work, so if wartime legit, it is likely made over in China. They had a good swordsmith, but a lousy fittings craftsman. ..... or it's a fake.

Yes, good to 'see' you @Stegel!

@Tyler sword Check here for what a good one looks like: Type 95 NCO Gunto - Ohmura

Mark, it would help to have shots of the full tsuka (handle), blade, blade tip, and bare nakago (tang). Oh, I see you are still adding photos!

Hi Larry! The guys have given you all the big stuff. You can learn more about these on the following sites: Naval Officers Shingunto 1937 - Ohmura and 1937 Launch of Navy Officers Gunto - Nick Komiya The thin cord tied to the haikan (belt hanger loops) has a name which I cannot remember ( @PNSSHOGUN could tell us), and is properly attached like so: or Very nice sword!