BANGBANGSAN

Neil Very cool Lida latches. I heard the metal loop on the Tsuba is for tassel? Not sure how it works.Also, I noticed the bigger Seppa(cross-like)of is made on the Lida Tsuba, So, unlike most Tsuba, it only needs 2 or 3 smaller Seppa.

Beware of Fake Mei Mantetsu from China

There is one on eBay https://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-WW2-Japanese-Sword-Gunto-Kai-Gunto-Locking-Mechanism-208/264755455944?hash=item3da4a7a7c8:g:~aAAAOSw7xZePtFH

Many Type 3/Rinji with the better blade has this kind of scabbard, I saw a few Type 98 with custom ordered scabbard like this before.

It looks legit

It seems 壽屋 飯島 神戶 all make mount and blade of Type 95 sword, maybe final assemble in Tokyo first arsenal? You should check this topic of Type 95 start by Nick Komiya https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/Japanese-militaria/short-development-history-type-95-gunto-676112/ Shamsy,Stegel, Bruce Pennington, Kiipu are all in there.

Mark This Arsenal mark with "一" should be the same one with "K", both from 神户商店 Kobe shop, the owner's name is 神户一幸 Kobe Ikkou .He first uses the first letter "K" from his family name, then changes to first kanji "一" from his last name later.

Yes, that's why I have that thought"I assume unless the Navy officer works inland headquarters, the other officer service on the ship or naval base at the port will not bring their old family blade with them, they might carry a stainless blade instead, and sure no Mon need it." Your two examples could be very possible carried by the officer worked in headquarters inland far from port.

I think most of the Army Gunto with Mon has either Mumei or Older blade, because the newer Showa blade is not from the Samurai family, not considering their family heroism? Navy has a wet environment (on the sea or port both)that easies to get the blade rust, and that's the reason they develop stainless steel blade. I assume unless the Navy officer works inland headquarters, the other officer service on the ship or naval base at the port will not bring their old family blade with them, they might carry a stainless blade instead, and sure no Mon need it. Is that make sense?

Thomas Chinese cavalry was using captured Japanese Type 32 and the cavalry in Xinjiang province were using Russian Shashka saber until the 1960s, PLA decided to make their cavalry sword based on Type 32 with some improvement.At the time China can't make a decent blade fit the PLA's requirement, Russia has better industry and experiences to make the cavalry sword, so the PLA orders the blade from Russia, then Chrome and make other parts assemble them together at 3521 Arsenal in Nan Jing. Since PLA only has 3 cavalry troop (Xin Jiang, Gan Su, and Inner Mongolia) in the '60s, only a few thousand Type 65 were complete. Around 1985，PLA disarmament about one million troops, PLA kept only around 1000-1200 cavalry and divide them into two-unit, one in Gan Su, and one in Inner Mongolia. Most of the retired Type 65 sword was export to North America around the late 80's-early 90's with other weapons from China. Type 65 is the First and Last cavalry sword of PLA, and it's still in service. Many Chinese collectors want to own one of these sword but can't get the original army issued one in China, so some sword company in China start to make replicas for the market, they are not trying to make Type 32 replica. This sword is greatly improved over the Japanese 1932 sword. It is improved in the following ways: It is longer and more massive. The blade is heat treated in a better fashion. The atresia (not sure what that is/those are) are improved to avoid breakage during aggressive sheathing. The hanging ring is replaces with two hanging rings permitting shoulder carry. The handle texture is improved for a better grip. In addition, this sword is more imposing in appearance that the Japanese 32 sword. The Chinese cavalry troops found this sword to be more useful in horseback attacks typically involving hacking and slicing at the enemy than the Japanese sword which was designed more for purpose of stabbing and detail cutting (maybe a reference to ritual disembowelment). But I think the overall quality is not as good as Japanese Type 32.

To the top

Steve These are not Type 32 wannabe.It is a modern Chinese copy of the original 60's Chinese PLA Type 65 cavalry sword. Although Type 65 is an official copy of Japanese type 32 by PLA.😀 PS:I'm looking to buy the original Type 65 cavalry sword, if any member got one and wants to part with it, please let me know.

The Scabbard looks like from the replica's, the drag looks kind of odd.Also, Ser#number and the shape of the tip of the blade doesn't feel the right style.Maybe is one of the replica with real NCO handle?

Sell them as a bring back group would be a better idea. The price of the NCO sword has been gone down for at least a year now and gets lower after COVID starts. Plus, in the same condition, The brass guard always more desirable and sold for more than the iron guard. There are many NCO o eBay priced lower than before and can make an offer for it, but still sits there for a long time can't sell.

Any one?

One more https://www.ebay.com/itm/WW2-Japanese-NCO-SWORD-MATCHING-NUMBERS-ON-BLADE-SCABBARD/184381304960?hash=item2aedfb7080:g:y10AAOSwOZRfINDc:sc:FedExHomeDelivery!33870!US!-1

特 means Special. 特殊 特别

Hi members I'm looking to buy Original Chinese PLA Type 65 Cavalry saber(Not the replicas on eBay) if anyone got one of this please PM me. Thanks Trystan

Side latch is less than copper, but not as valuable though.

I don't think he can sell it for that price in a long time. A much better condition one sold on eBay 2 months ago by ericowazamono for $4000.Another one with matching number but has the tip of the blade chipped sold on eBay for $1850 about 3 weeks ago. I'm starting to think copper Handel NCO sword is not that rare compare to some other WW2 period Japanese sword. On my observation, there are around 10 copper handle NCOs (a couple of them don't have match scabbard)sold online worldwide from 2019-2020, price from $1800-$4000, most of them around $2500-$3000.

兼光Kanemitsu

Adam Those photos of tang that you post from 2 Kanezane, one is 淺野兼真 Asano Kanezane ,the other one is 藤原兼真 Fujiwara Kanezane.

Fortunately , as far as I know , those swords with Fake Mei were made in China for the Chinese market(try to fool the inexperience collector). It's very hard to get the swords into China legally, most of the time they use the "grey clearance" channel in Hong Kong to smuggling swords into mainland China. Since China enact National Security Law from NPC to HK a few weeks ago, It's going to be very difficult to do so. Even before this law passed, it's harder to get them out of China then get in. The collectors outside of China shouldn't be that terrified about it just yet, but we do need to be more careful though.

Bruce Those photos are taken in China.Check other similar photos I post.