CarlosFandango

All, Apologies for not responding earlier. Your replies make very interesting reading and I very much appreciate the information given, thank you. Unfortunately, due to pressing work commitments I was unable to pursue the sword any further, but will certainly use the information here to make an informed choice should I be presented with a similar item in the future. Thanks again, Simon.

Bruce, Thanks as always for getting back to me and for your knowledge on the subject There's one I've got my eye on that fits my description above and I was curious if I might be looking at a lemon. Cheers, Simon.

Hello all, Odd question maybe but, are you likely to see a Type 95 with a wooden saya that has a leather covering? If so, should the wooden saya be numbered? Kind regards, Simon.

Thanks Steve! I think preservation is the first option you give and that's really what I was after. Keeping the item stable/safe long term. Appreciate your detailed advice. If I move to a bigger house eventually, then I can look to add to the collection and also display Kind regards, Simon.

Actually, one final question. How would I be best to store this sword? Seems even that can be a work of art (in a good sense). Simon.

Bruce, Thank you very much for these recommendations. All look great reading material and will certainly help in my quest to find out much, much more about Japanese military swords. You're a star! Thanks again, Regards, Simon

Hello Bruce! Thanks very much! That certainly answers my question...Seems to make sense from my very limited knowledge that the combat cover would be full. My half isn't 'finished' like you would expect at the end but it also looks like whoever done it, made a very good job as there's no curl or rough edges. Again, my limited knowledge of Japanese soldiers in the field makes me think this was a combat field modification rather than something done by the person who brought it back home.....although why they would is another question.. As an aside, I really should invest in that book. It looks like an invaluable source of information and a fantastic read. Kind regards, Simon.

Stephen, great advice which I will follow as per my previous message. Thank you sir.

Thanks Steve. The blade does have that 'oily' smell to it already but I will add a little more as advised. Thanks also for the advice on the cover. I will be very careful with that. The leather is currently quite supple. I still haven't found anything about the cover length online. Although I see they were often on the Type 94 officers swords, but nothing relating to NCOs. I live a few miles from a place called Chiddingstone Castle in England and there's a collection of Nihonto up there. I might pop up so they may have any idea or know someone who would. Thanks again, Simon.

Steve, Thanks for your sound advice. I will certainly invest in some cotton gloves for future handling of my sword. I'll also look to see if there are any specialists in the UK who can take a closer look at the corrosion. To Everyone, I'm amazed by the responses I've had on the forum. I'm so impressed with the depth of knowledge and willingness to pass on invaluable information. Thank you all. Simon.

Thanks Bruce for your detailed advice. Sounds like quite a challenge for an amateur like me. I wonder if I might be better to take it to a specialist (if there are ones who deal with Type 95 NCO Swords)... But I'll certainly look to give it a go myself first. Cheers Simon.

Thanks everyone for their feedback - I really do appreciate it! Particularly interested in the comments about the leather combat cover - I will certainly look into that more. I'm interested to see if the cover should've covered the whole scabbard or just the half as it currently does.. Alan, Just picking up on what you've suggested.. This item was sold as an untouched 'loft find' so I assume it was picked up from the field (Burma maybe?) and brought home. I guess it's sat in some gentleman's loft for ages afterwards. There's some corrosion on the throat too, as you can see from the pictures but this looks minimal (to me anyway). This is quite literally my first venture into Japanese military swords but would assume from looking that the tsuka/handle/habaki are held by a single screw through the handle? Is there anything I can 'fudge up' by taking it apart? Thanks again, Simon

Daniel/Paul, Thanks very much for your feedback. Really appreciate it and so glad my first foray into Japanese military swords hasn't resulted in me buying a lemon. And Paul, haha! I genuinely laughed out loud about the big wheels! You're the first person to reference that since my old mates gave me that nickname 30 years ago.....sadly the big wheels are no longer present on my car Cheers and thanks again guys - roll on the next purchase with my new found knowledge! CF

A better one of the throat of the scabbard..

Hi Brian, Thanks for getting back to me - please see the attached - hope these are ok images. From what I've been reading up, the serial and the blade grove look good but I'm really new to this. I bought the sword from reputable online auction site so am forever hopeful my instincts were correct. Cheers, Simon (CF)