Bruce Pennington

Oops! You're right. My mind was playing tricks on me.

Good summary, Dan. Suya Shoten was the only maker. Saya didn't have a drag, though, there are a very few out there with replacement saya with drags.

Year is 1940, someone else will give you the rest of the mei. Update: Thanks to Matt, date is 1930.

The latch and fuchi are one piece.

My google translate says: Chinese - "O Eizo" Japanese - "Nakano Eizo" Could we get a shot of the whole rig & blade for curiosity sake? Plus, I file some of these for future discussions.

I have found that if you crop your photo, even just a little bit, then post it, it’s off the problem.

I've seen it done a few times over the years, usually with the Showa stamp. We don't know who actually does it, whether the original owner, or an arsenal worker, or one of the post-war owners.

Thanks for the added photos, Deborah! Now there's my Saka stamp. Looks like someone tried to grind or chisel it off. You can read all about this style sword, commonly called a Type 3, Rinji seishiki, Type 100, etc, here: True Significance of the Type 3 Sword and Unveiling the Rinjiseishiki in 1940

Geoff, @Kolekt-To, seems to have a few gunto parts for sale. Got any Type 95 parts, Geoff? I didn't see any on ebay or my usual go-to guy at Crimson Mist Militaria. You might try posting your need on the Wanted to Buy forum.

Bingo! Slough: 2 Million Yen smith "High to Superior-Grade Gendaito"

Looks like I caused some confusion with this joke. I was simply trying to say that both swords are worth over $1000. More like $1200. So if you paid full price for this set at $1400, you were getting the other sword for free! So my joke was that I’ll buy the free one from you for the same price you paid – free! As to the all black paint job on the 95 detracting from the price, I would say, just the opposite. These black paint jobs were wartime, paint jobs, and a bit of a mystery, so for many of us, this makes them more collectible, not less. Of course, if someone wants a pristine factory paint job, then this is not what they’re looking for, but it doesn’t change the value of this one.

OK, I want you to seriously consider this: you buy the Kyu for full price, and I will buy the black 95 for $0 dollars from you! almost not joking! Ha! But it’s a good idea!

Nicholas, That date is October 1941. Good looking blade and gunto. Good luck with the sale!

Brian, I'm going to comment, but this whole interchange should probably deleted as it detracts greatly from the most excellent tone and intent of this entire thread. Franco, So, here we go. Obviously YOUR definition of enthusiasm is the Prime measure. Please create an Enthusiasm scale, smith down one side and intensity across the top. You can then rate each of our entusiasms with a "A1" or "F7" and keep us all in check. I was clearly under the mistaken impression that my (and everyone elses') joy hinged upon our own personalities and collecting preferences. Glad to know The Enthusiasm God has arrived.

Another phoenix headed tachi, posted by @Janusz J HERE

Can you slide the copper habaki off and show a photo of the machi (notches) alignment? Chinese fakes often have off-set machi, but even aligned ones can be found on fakes. If they are off-set, though, it would be clear evidence.

Eric, After cropping and flipping and comparing to another Saka stamp, I may have been premature about that. If it's a Saka, it's smaller than normal and a bit out of place. Probably just a random mark.

Depending upon the condition of the 95, you are essentially paying full price for one and getting the other for free.

Thanks Tim! Sometimes a simple screenshot of your original photo will do the trick.

Interesting to see the over stamped Tokyo 1st Arsenal star, like John pointed out! Makes me think this saya (scabbard) was reassigned to the blade by the Tokyo 1st Arsenal as a replacement. You can read up on the Type 95s here: Non-commissioned officers Gunto 1935 (Type 95 Guntō)/title> (ohmura-study.net)

Good one, John! Didn't have this one. I only have 2 of his, one Aug '41 "232" before the RJT program, and the other Mar '43, "2042". What's your opinion of that number 1950; 1958; 1959? Oh, and too bad the corrosion obliterated any painted numbers! With the tsuba stamped "70" this would have been a perfect one to test your latest painted number observations.

The top one likely holds an actual tanto, right? Be nice to see some photos!

And the faintest Saka stamp just before! Hello Deborah! This Nagamitsu (there were a couple of them during the war) made quality blades. He was qualified by the RJT program and many of his blades were traditionally made. Can we get full-length photos of the nakago (tang), both sides? There may be a faint "star" stamp above the name, too. Also, many of us live vicariously through other peoples swords and would love to see the fittings as well.

Wow, John, don't really know. It's not anything I recognize. Might be a shop stamp, too.

Here's an all black one posted by @Ooitame