robinalexander

Ok... now that others have (more courage now ), I will also throw my hat in the ring.... IMO...for a beginner it wouldn't be unusual to pay US $1300 for the Lot.

Hi Martin, welcome. Hmmmmm.... posted 23 hrs ago and no one has chimed in. That's unusual. There are many (most in fact) more learned than me but I will let you know what 'I' see. I can assure you I will be corrected as is necessary. On this occassion and as you own the sword, I will use the correct terminology (without corresponding English explanation) ...this way, it may encourage you to look up the Glossary on this NMB site or just google the translation. Not wishing to be smart or nasty Firstly, no apology necessary for being a beginner and you can never have too many pictures, thanks, they are all relevant and helpful. NCO's didn't carry Type 94's (earlier) or Type 98's ... they were purchased/provided by officers only. Generally, NCO's were issued Type 95's. I think the blade is genuine albeit in slightly rough condition the shinogi looks a little 'bent' to me and if that's correct it could mean a previous poor polish. The saya may have had a leather combat cover over it but I tend to think it's a later replacement. Does the habaki fit snuggly into the throat of the saya or is it a little loose? Either way originally, the sword would have been held in the saya by way of a leather press stud/clip that went through the hole in the tsuba, to clip onto the leather combat cover. The fuchi (not military) looks typical of the type that you find on late war blades/mounts, so that is ok. Confused about leather seppa under the tsuba....doesn't look 'period' to me and a little larger than is necessary or, in my view, desirable. But if everything is tight, then its done its job. Ito binding, associated wear and kabutogane look authentic. Now you really need to remove the tsuka in order to expose the tang if you want to know more about the sword. The mekugi peg is disposable and if it's that fragile, then the sooner it's replaced the better. It's the ONLY thing holding the blade in the tsuka. Please post pics when/if you do. Mekugi pegs are so easy to make and dress up (age). Get some oil on that rust on the blade. There's only 1/2 dozen words or so to look up and just ask if anything is not clear. Rob PS...have a look here.... Military Swords of Imperial Japan (Guntō) (ohmura-study.net) Here is his page on swords with leather covered saya: 九八式軍刀略式外装 Informality mounting (ohmura-study.net)

Thankyou Koichi-san... I appreciate your enlightenment.

General question .... I imagine as an Aviation Troop Leader this person would be an officer. Now this person looks like a female (could be wrong though) ... I didn't know the Japanese had female officer pilots in during the war, but then again, until now I've never had any reason to ask. Rob

They were real.... here is indisputable proof.

Tks Phil, that's the second time today I have suffered a basic comprehension glitche.

I agree with David ...not chromed. I really think someone has done a mechanical cleaning/ massive buffing job on it. Look at the habaki. Saya looks a funny shade? PS...if you want to 'age' it quickly Phil, send it over to me and I will leave it with a couple of my children....it will be 80 years within weeks

Another Kai with IJA Company Grade tassel. Apologies if I have posted this in the past. I noticed the inconsistency on the Australian War Memorial website during Covid. I contacted them and they were very accepting...they checked their original records and advised they would add the wording now shown at the end of the first paragraph...good result, but still makes you wonder if the NLF changed tassels during shore duty.

Hi Nick, but seriously ...the original 'saya insert build thread' is shown below FYI. Couple of extra bragging pics below of Bruce's start/finished saya insert. Bruce was only missing one which meant the new one had to be matched. The 'tool' shown helps a lot. Can be made from bradawl or in this case, a thin cooking skewer bent just at the tip. Now the thing is I've only done 95's and they take ages, I have to be in the mood and I have to keep reminding myself when to stop for the day (bit like painting a picture). You don't need the original blade or saya for 95's because there all pretty compatible but with all others 94/97/98, civilian, the whole kit a caboodle would be needed to ensure a match. Funny, but I think a shirasaya would be much easier than trying to match inserts. Have done a couple for a sword mate over here and i enjoyed it (especially when done) but to be honest I couldn't charge for them because the cost would probably outweigh the benefit, mainly due the length of time it takes me, the procrastination and at times, frustration. Bit like building a scale wooden model sailing ship...... never reflects time put in. Plus I really dont want to make it a business. But I'm more than happy to talk with anyone about process, tips and materials and can send pics of stages. Rob

Maybe the blade was exceptional. The following is an extract from an article 'Forward with Roosevelt' [I Have Returned - General MacArthur and FDR] held by The National Archives, Franklin D Roosevelt, Presidential Library and Museum. The White House had asked the General to change his declaration from “I Shall Return” to “We Shall Return” but the General refused. The animus between FDR and Gen. MacArthur goes back many years. As early as 1932, when he was still Governor of New York FDR told a close advisor that he thought Douglas MacArthur was one of the two “most dangerous men in America.”

FY Interest, brown tassel on civilian (late war) sword .....more pics on Ebay Australia at moment. 1930s IJA Japanese Officers Army sword with tiger pommel & brown tassel knot | eBay Description includes "Overall sword measures 95cm (not including scabbard) and has a Japanese officers, brown Showa 9 shin-gunto late war Type 94 tassel sword knot for all officers ranks. Checkout my other militaria as i do combine shipping."

A couple of pics for future reference.

Bruce, @Bruce Pennington One of my 98's, came from auction with brown tassel (54 cm). Blade and seppa had what I believe was cosmoline so a period touch. Mumei...oil quenched. Two ana and nice habaki & seppa. Unusually, it sports a brown samagawa (ray) covered saya (nice) and I have always believed the original tassel was matched to the sword post war...but who knows. Another for your thoughts. Rob

John C. I feel this is in that grey band between oil and water and probably above my pay grade but at the end of the day, my opinion will more often than not take a back seat to that of John's i.e. likely oil quenched. A wealth of experience there. Regardless, very nice blade from what I can see.

Just to clarify. The first picture above is a random oil quenched I posted just to highlight the difference with John C's blade which are oriented/shown in bottom two pics.

Hi John, Nice hamon. I would ere on the side of water quenched (probably a game call) . While I cant make out any hada or nei, your hamon is more cloud-like and irregular and without the obvious tell tale darker spots that appear on oil quenched blades (as per example immediately below)... but pls don't 'put hour house' on my opinion.

John a couple more (crap) pictures on different angle might help. Rob PS....I've always found oil vs water hamon an interesting if not perplexing subject.

Bruce @Bruce Pennington, I'm always intrigued by the way they advertise and describe these things. In this case I was looking for a 'WW2 Style Japanese NCO Sword' but no such truth I'm afraid. No description either. However, unlike some auctioneers including Lloyds Aust. who guarantee every item in a complete auction or money back, the subject auction house states at Condition 4 .......... "4. All property is sold "AS IS" where is, with no warranties or guaranties unless otherwise stated." Auction house is located in Wilbur Oregon and I had a laugh at that as it reminded me of 'Mr Ed' ......"hello Wilbur" ........ but that has absolutely nothing to do with the post.

Good question John.

Marion I have one or two that I will be moving on (mind you, others may have as well) ...I will PM (private msg) you. Also, check out and keep your eye on the For Sale thread on this forum. Rob

Nice sentiment...ok, so give him 24 his to notify any purchasers of his 'new' contact address. That's fair.

Brian, based on what you have said I personally wouldn't give a s%^t about allowing him to finish anything off. Just cut the bastard off.

Thanks Geoff, a 'brave' post that has been put together with some empathy and thoughtfulness. The focus seems to be on communication but at the same time, the length of time it took for what really isn't a 12 month job. No comment on the re-wrap, your happy and that's all that matters. You said you thought David was dealing with 'some things' during that time and I think this may be the salient point. Yes, communication appears to be well on the south side of average, but there is always, and I mean always, ...... two sides to a pancake. I would not expect David to respond, in fact I really hope he doesn't, but is it possible he was dealing with serious personal issues in that 12 months? It could explain the whole thing. I am sure most members here would have personal or family related experience with life altering events such as, loss of a loved one, death(s) in the family, divorce, bankruptcy, terminal illness, mental illness and I could go on. Now I'm not saying any of the above apply to David but I can assure you that any one, let alone multiples of the above can put people in an entirely different world, sometimes for a long time. In that world, a tsuka re-wrap is not, and can not, be a priorty. But good to know your happy with the job .

Yes Bruce @Bruce Pennington I like your idea on this in terms of officer conversion. My 'grey' saya has a definate hint of green in it (attached pic) ....should start counting and documenting them as I reckon there must be over fifty shades of grey so far