KB1107

Hello all, I’m looking for a little guidance on this sword that I purchased a few months ago. The sword was in “OK” condition when I received it... but really needed some TLC. Since being retired, my passion has been buying pieces that need fixing or repair (WW2 Guns, swords, and bayonets). Anyways, the piece of the sword in question is the tang, primarily the holes in the tang. The three holes you see are all relatively close to the same size, one might be a smidge larger than the other two. The weird part is the two holes in the handle are much larger than the holes in the tang. The peg used to secure the handle to the sword has to be small enough to fit through the hole in the tang, but doesn’t do much good for the handle. This causes a lot of up/down movement in the blade. Has anybody had this experience? Any suggestions on a fix? Also, there wasn't a seppa on the sword when I received it (I’m currently working on fitting a seppa or two to the sword). The first hole is the one that I’ll be using. I don’t know if the hole was time period made or not, I have my suspicions. I also wonder if the handle is original... the holes in the tang are much smaller than any of the swords that I have. I also find this a bit bizarre. The saya had had a ton of rust on it... I was surprised to see a finish still exists under all that rust I cleaned off of it. The wire wrapping around the handle was all loose and bent (That wasn’t very fun to fix)... the blade looks to have an odd hamon, initially I thought it was a straight hamon line... but it looks different in different lighting. Some surface scratches on the blade, but not rust or pitting.

Shamsy, Thanks again for the info! It sounds like there’s no absolute way to be sure of the serial number originality no matter how you cut it. It’s a crap shoot! Thank you again for the info... I will think twice about purchasing a type 32 sword with a lower serial number in the future. Hopefully, one day these swords with increase in value as the type 95’s have done. Some of the the type 95’s are costing more than the traditionally made blades! Crazy....

Thanks Shamsy, So, if the numbers were ground off and new numbers stamped... wouldn’t the thickness of the blade at the ricasso be less? I would assume that there would be a way to distinguish between original and re-applied numbers. Also, I wonder why they wouldn’t put a character next to the number to distinguish this change, similar to what Bruce mentioned with his scabbard/saya. interesting... thanks again for the info

Hi Bruce, i find that interesting! All these pieces are different in their own way. Thanks for sharing... I don’t think I’ve ever seen one like that.

Stegel, Here’s a photo of what the entire scabbard looked like... too hard to get a clear photo of the entire scabbard with this white all over it. Looks like somebody tried to get creative with cleaning.

Hi Stegel, Thanks for the link... I do remember reading that a few years ago, I forgot all about it. I offered the seller $100.00 less than asking and he took it, go figure! I really did’nt need it... but for that price? I thought it was a good deal. I don’t resell items that I purchase, I display all of them in a separate room... someday it will be handed down to a family member or resold (But not by me! Grin). I look at these pieces as being a commodity... I feel my money is better invested in these war relics than the stock market, especially in these trying days. Once again, thanks for the comment and info! Lonely Planet... Thanks for the comment as well... I’m not concerned about the mismatch. I believe they’re both original, maybe not to each other, but still original. It may not be the finest looking piece... after all, its been through a few conflicts. I would say it has character and looks the part.

Thanks Bruce... I was wondering if the first year of manufacture was in the 1800’s. Also, I think I’ve read that only 80,000 units of the “KO” version were manufactured (That seems like a low number)... do you know how many “Otsu” were manufactured? For real! That number is nothing to play with! Grin... I would’ve waited for the next plane! Thanks again, David

Hello all, i wasn't planning on buying anymore type 32’s because I already have 5... however, when one becomes available with a low serial? I’m in! This particular one has seen some use. There’s a fair amount of wear to the blade and handle, but overall a decent looking sword. The scabbard had a lot of white staining on it... almost like somebody tried to clean it with acid. It took a few days to remove it. Th scabbard isn’t original... a replacement that was forced matched. The sword is the “Otsu” version... would somebody know what year this particular sword was manufactured? One digit less on the serial number and I would’ve passed on the purchase! Grin

Hi Bruce, First, thanks for the info on the Rinji-seikishi sword you emailed me... I’ll receive it sometime next week. Yes, the seller did an amazing job on the saya... he was a furniture maker by trade (Very nice man). Unfortunately, the sword was in the scabbard when shipped. It wasn’t packed very well and the tang busted through one side of the box. Apparently, it must’ve been dropped and forced the sword further into the saya than it should’ve. The saya cracked from the habaki being too tight in the saya, and the wood under the top fitting of the saya broke off. I was able to repair it... bummer! Anyways, I looked for any numbers on the hardware that it came with. All I found was some kind of a kanji under the saya cap (I’ll add the photo). The seller had a tsuba set that he didn’t include with the sale of the sword. I asked him if he was interested in selling them because he had already fitted them to the sword. He sent them to me and refused to take any money... I offered him a check, zelle, PayPal... just tell me what you want for them. Nope! .... they look good, one seppa is a little short though.

This is how the sword came... the original saya is in pretty bad shape. The seller made a saya to fit the sword and removed the original fitting from the original saya to the new saya, he did a very nice job. I understand why he did it, the sword is very big and heavy... not the usual WW2 sword. The habaki is a bit unusual for a WW2 sword as well (said it was completely green when he purchased the sword 25 years ago).. I have my opinion of this being a put together sword. I believe all are original parts... but are all original to the sword? “115” stamped twice at the bottom of the tang (Nakago). Original? Maybe this is the reason for the clean tang? It appears somebody wanted a Kia gunto... but didn’t want to spend the money for one? Either way... I’m please with the purchase and it displays nicely in my gun room. Hope the pics help!

Thanks...done

Sorry, can’t post the other pic. Seller cleaned the tang... absolutely no rust. Hopefully, it’s not an oldddd blade. I can email a clearer photo... Don’t know how to add to the thread

Hello all, i recently purchased a kai gunto sword from only pics in an auction. The sword was located in a different state so I was unable to visually inspect it. The first pic is from the ad and the second pic was after I disassembled it. Anybody notice anything different? Grin Anyways, I’m not that upset about it because it was only $700.00. However, that should’ve been disclosed or post recent pics. The blade is very thick and heavy... appears well made. I’m curious about the kanji on the tang. Thanks

Thanks everybody for your comments... I will pass all this information onto my friend and he will need to decide whether to keep or reach out to the seller. Knowing Bob, he will most likely keep it as long as it isn’t a Chinese repro.

I agree with you Chris W... everybody has been a victim at one time or another, if you’ve been collecting for a while...I know I have (Unfortunately). Still mad about it....

Yes he did... as far as I know. He showed me the listing. I told him to contact them and explain he didn’t get what was advertised. He now too embarrassed to do it...

Yup,,, that’s been my concern. I wish he would’ve asked my opinion before he purchased.... $1000.00 mistake

He sent me pics of the habaki...

Thanks Bruce and Brian... he thought (he hopes) the he purchased a late war naval sword. I’ve looked at this morning... the tsuka looked to be black fabric and not black same’. Very good chance it’s a souvenir. The listing said late naval sword. As I said, the blade looks like the only original part to me, but I’m no an expert. i agree, I looked at the swords in that collection and they all appear to be originals. He spent a decent amount of money on this sword, too much if it’s only a souvenir.

Hello all, A friend of mine recently purchased (Or think he did) a WW2 late naval sword. He said it was from the John Plimpton sword collection. He received it today and showed it to me. I immediately had my doubts... I’m not an expert by any means with swords. What caught my eye the most was how clean and perfect everything is... the tsuba is brass (Not iron/naval), the tsuka is perfect (Too perfect), the suspension ring doesn’t match the rest of the saya fittings. The blade is nice and heavy and appears to be the only thing original WW2 part. Any thoughts? The seller seems to have good feedback and appears to be selling a lot of swords from this collection... I hope I’m wrong and it’s just a nice piece.

Issue has been resolved. Auction house was very nice and cancelled the purchase...

Thanks all... yup fault on both sides for sure. I just wish the sellers would list it as is. If you don’t know if it’s real or fake.... then say you don’t know! Yup, I think he will get his money back too... he sent the auction company 2 emails and they’ve yet to respond. They did however send an invoice! Grin

Crazy right? Not even close...

Hello all, A friend of mine sent me photos of a sword that he purchased from an online auction house this weekend. After viewing the pics and reading the description... I told him to call the auction house and tell them it’s a fake! I explained to my friend to let me know or ask questions before buying... it can save a lot of headaches and money in the future. By the way, I think it sold for $450.00. i’m not a sword expert, in fact, I know very little about swords. How is it that I immediately can spot this fake and the auction house is listing it as an actual WW2 Officer’s sword (That should’ve been the first clue). Maybe they should also ask questions before listing it? Hopefully, it’s not an original sword and I’m mistakingly talking trash about the auction house! Grin Anyways, here are some pics of the sword. I immediately see poor quality, to my knowledge these usually have an inspection stamp next to the blade number, and no arsenal marking can be found. I can even see the sayas throat to see what kind it is, or if even a number stamped on it. IMO.... terrible Chinese fake. I think I can almost make out the word “Japan” on the 4th pic on the habaki. BAD BAD BAD! Hopefully, he can talk to the auction house and explain to them that’s it’s not an original WW2 NCO sword (Not an officer sword as listed).