Kiipu

There is a monthly meeting in your area of California and I will ask "SteveM" to advise.

Hector, a very nice find and many thanks for sharing.

John, a rather interesting observation I must say. Many thanks for sharing.

Could be a postwar PX sword and I will kindly ask @Bruce Pennington to take a look at it.

I have always wondered just how they cast these. Back in the 1980s, I took a class in Industrial Arts (AKA shop class). One of the things we learned was making a mold out of sand and then pouring molten aluminum into it. I think these were a step up from that though. Just the quantity alone that were needed would require a different method. Pretty sure one of the Australians will know the answer though. FYI, the spare parts hilt is not drilled or has a cutout for the release. @Stegel

Maybe some more eyes can help. I am not so sure on the 4th character.

Is the aluminium handle a one piece casting or two pieces joined together? Secondly, is the wood liner one piece or two pieces glued together? And finally, what is your shoe size!

I think that is a fold of blue background cloth overlapping the blade?

You could try and can send him a private message via this forum. brannow @brannow

See the NMB post below for more information about Minamoto Yoshiharu 源義治. The Mysterious "w" Stamp!

The bottom sword by Yoshinao 義尚 looks to have a "昭 within a cherry blossom" stamp?

新案特許 = shin'an tokkyo = patent on a new device. 二二四〇六 = 22406.

Mal, wake up!

Yes, concurrent production in the beginning. However, at the end Tōkyō 1st was only making Variations 4 & 6. The brass crossguard was finally dropped by Tōkyō 1st by Fiscal Year 1944. Blocks of serial numbers were assigned to the different makers by the supervising arsenal.

Are you referring to this crossguard design below? If so, this was a modification done after manufacture. Type 95 Gunto - Transitional Tsuba

Collecting Notes A collector who only wants to own one Type 95 should look for either a Variation 3 or 4. A very common sword and thus easier to find in decent shape. For a collector who would like just a small sampling showing the major changes over time, a Variation 1 (copper) followed by either Variations 3 or 4 (aluminium) and lastly a Variation 8 (wood). A beginning collector should focus on Patterns 1 to 6 while an intermediate collector could aim for Variations 1 to 9. An advanced collector might consider marking variations, paint colors, and small changes in parts design within Patterns/Variations. As this category is currently outside my ballpark, I would defer to what an advanced collector has to say about it.

Variations 2, 3, and 4, are akin to the alphabet soup. This is a result of concurrent production. Conversion Table for Dawson's 2007 book, the Patterns, & Variations in OP Copper Handled Type 95. Pattern 1. Variation 1. Aluminum Handled Variation #1. Pattern 2. Variations 2 & 3. Aluminum Handled Variation #2. Pattern 3. Variation 4 & 6. Aluminum Handled Variation #3. Pattern 4. Variation 5. Wood Handled Variation #1. Pattern 5. Variations 7 & 8. Wood Handled Variation #2. Pattern 6. Variation 9. Wood Handled Variation #3. Pattern 7. Wood Handled Variation #4. Pattern 8. Dawson, Jim. Swords of Imperial Japan, 1868–1945. Cyclopedia edition. Stenger-Scott Publishing, 2007.

After pulling out the records, it is safe to say Variations 7 & 8 predate Variation 6. Variation 6 only showed up on the last 1,000 Type 95s made by Suya. Only Suya made a Variation 6. Last month of production for Suya was March 1945 because of bomb damage. Variation 7 would date to about May 1944 while Variation 8 would date from June/July 1944.

Just a quick note that Variations 1 through 6 are in the order as they appear in the 1 to 160,000 range while Variations 7 to 9 are as they appear in the 200K & 300K range. So they are not 100% chronological in regards to dates. Variations 7 & 8 probably preceded Variation 6?

Explanation of the Type 95 Patterns Below is a link describing the eight (8) Patterns, which shows the macro variations with the sword inserted into the scabbard. Nagoya Type 95 Ver 3 Woohoo!, Post #24 For an info-graphic of the Patterns, see the post below. Questions about "late war", NCO swords, Post #37

Below is a list of the nine major variations of the Type 95 Military Sword. These variations are based upon changes in the blade, hilt, and scabbard. The variations are in order of appearance by supervising arsenal. Keep in mind that some variations were manufactured concurrently, for example variations 3 & 4, while other variations are unique to certain arsenals or companies. Variation #; Blade; Tsuka, Ito Pattern; Tsuba: Latch; Saya; Pattern # Kokura Arsenal & then later by Tōkyō 1st Arsenal (1 to 160,00 Serial Number Range) 1. Fullered; Copper, Asymmetrical; Brass, 11mm; Top; Metal, Plug; Pattern 1 (Suya). 2. Fullered; Aluminium, Asymmetrical; Brass, 9mm; Top; Metal, Drag; Pattern 2. 3. Fullered; Aluminium, Symmetrical; Brass, 9mm; Top; Metal, Drag; Pattern 2. 4. Fullered; Aluminium, Symmetrical; Steel; Top; Metal, Drag; Pattern 3. 5. Fullered; Aluminium, Symmetrical; Steel; Side; Metal, Drag; Pattern 4 (Seki). 6. Unfullered; Aluminium, Symmetrical; Steel; Top; Metal, Drag; Pattern 3 (Suya). Nagoya Arsenal (200,000 Serial Number Range) 4. Fullered; Aluminium, Symmetrical; Steel; Top; Metal, Drag; Pattern 3. 5. Fullered; Aluminium, Symmetrical; Steel; Side; Metal, Drag; Pattern 4. 7. Fullered; Wood; Steel; Side; Metal, Drag; Pattern 5. 8. Unfullered; Wood; Steel; Side; Metal, Drag; Pattern 5. Jinsen Arsenal (300,000 Serial Number Range) 9. Unfullered; Wood; Steel; Side; Wood, Chape; Pattern 6.

Actually, they show up as often as the 300,000 range. A little more about the observed serials on these variant Type 100s that I call the Jinsen Type 5. Arsenal Stamps.

These are not Type 95s but a variant Type 100 for officers unique to Jinsen Arsenal. They have a unique serial number stamped on the tang. Also, the order is reversed as regards introduction. Questions about "late war", NCO swords & Short Development History of Type 95 Gunto, Post #239

Not unusual here in the States, probably to keep the kids away from them. I have heard of rifles and swords being found in walls. One such example was a Type 44 Carbine with the folding bayonet cut off. Another common occurrence was to throw them out in the trash. Back in the 1950s, my father saved a Japanese rifle that was sticking out of the trash can. He asked the housewife who answered the door if he could have it and she said go ahead. She told him it was missing the bolt though.

Hint, with a Gold Membership, one will know who they are.