Scogg

You get a few different interpretations of the Type 95 patterns, but all generally agree with the basic order. I am working on putting together a photo guide that includes some of the less common transitional patterns; but in the meantime, here's the pattern order list that I use for my cataloging; created with both ohmura's list and the addition of transitional patterns that I have observed. The patterns with asterisks and in red font, are the noted transitional patterns. Work in progress: Patterns in order Pattern 1 = Copper tuska - 11mm Brass tsuba - Offset ito at fuchi. *Pattern 2a = Aluminum handle - 9mm Brass tsuba - Offset ito - punctured ito. SUYA, 東 .* *Pattern 2b = Aluminum handle - 9mm Brass tsuba - Offset ito - adjusted ito around mekugi. GIFU, 名. * Pattern 2 = Aluminium tsuka - 9mm Brass tsuba - Mirrored ito. Pattern 3 = Aluminium tsuka - Steel tsuba - Mirrored ito. *Pattern 3a = Aluminum handle - steel tsuba - mirrored ito - no bohi. *Pattern 4a = Aluminum handle - Top latch but with side latch cutout - mirrored ito. Pattern 4 = Aluminium tsuka - Steel tsuba - Side latch - Mirrored ito. Pattern 5 = Wooden tsuka - Steel Tsuba - Side Latch - No Bohi - Steel saya. Pattern 6 = Wooden tsuka - Steel Tsuba - Side Latch - No Bohi - Wooden saya. Pattern 7 = Wooden ringed tsuka - Steel Tsuba - Side Latch - No Bohi. Here is a really great thread topic that goes over some of the earlier transitional patterns: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/31314-Japanese-type-95-sword-for-ncos/ All the best, -Sam

Japanese sword bags often have yellow tassels, as seen below: If the sword originally had a General rank tassel, it would be a shame if it were lost; as they are pretty valuable. I see no reason to doubt your story, it sounds plausible to me. As Bruce pointed out, though, without a time machine, it may be impossible to confirm the full history with absolute certainty. That said, inherited pieces like this often carry personal and historical value that goes beyond what can be proven. Thanks for sharing yours; it's always a pleasure to see these kinds of items surface and be appreciated. All the best, -Sam

Hi John, cool sword. It's a pattern 2, Type 95 Shin-Gunto with the aluminum handle and brass tsuba. Yours has the Iijima factory stamp, TO stamp ((東)Tokyo first army arsenal supervisory section)), and Tokyo first army arsenal trademark star stamp. The date range I have for this serial number range and stamps is a little wide... It was made between September 1942 and March 1945; and probably sometime near the middle of that range, in my opinion based on my data. They are pretty collectible so take good care of it. Does the scabbard have a number that matches the blade? It would be near the opening where the blade inserts. -Sam

Thank you Bruce. I check eBay a couple times a week, but some always slip through the cracks. Those are good ones. The fabric handle one has been floating around the auction sites for over a year now. Interestingly, there's a very close serial number 109278 with Tokyo blade, that has a plastic or bakelite handle reminiscent of the late-war wood handle Pattern 5's. I have that one recorded as an anomalous outlier. All the best, -Sam Weird plastic handle version, second from the top, below:

There is an active nihonto club in your state of Indiana. If you want to get some eyes on your sword for more opinions, they would be great people to contact. @ChrisW https://indianatokenkai.wixsite.com/indiana-token-kai Nice looking blade, congrats; and welcome to the forum! -Sam

Hi @Dante Gambino, I deleted the post in the Nihonto section, because the information on this sword can be found here. Best of luck, -Sam

Those hash marks, the modified Roman numerals, are repeated on the seppa and tsuba. I had figured those to be the “assembly numbers”, and was hoping for a surname in the writing. Thank you everyone for the input! This is turning out to be an interesting gunto. Sincerely, -Sam

It looks non-traditional showato, in my opinion

I see it now, thank you@Bruce Pennington! I was scrounging the stamps document for something hourglass shaped . Anyway, let me know @SonoSam if you’d like someone to get eyes on it. Otherwise, I have no doubt that it’s genuine, and with the combination of input here and from Chris Bowen on Facebook - you’ve got the best info available . All the best, -Sam

The bomb at Hiroshima detonated high above the ground, and much of the radiation dispersed into the atmosphere rather than into the ground. That's one reason why places like Hiroshima and Nagasaki are not irradiated zones like Chernobyl. -Sam

Hello @SonoSam from Oregon; I am also a Sam from Oregon As far as I am aware, there are not any Japanese Sword Experts in our state. I am going to relocate your forum topic to the "military swords of Japan" section, because I think you will get better feedback there, especially about that stamp. Can't say I've seen that stamp before. I live nearish the Portland area, and I travel down to Eugene and Central Oregon very frequently. If you'd like me to take a look at your sword, let me know, and we can schedule something. For what it's worth, I am not currently buying swords, so fear not that I have any ulterior motives. Let me know, -Sam

Thank you Piers and Uwe! Much appreciated. While I still cannot make sense of it, it's interesting nonetheless! And good to know. Speculation: Maybe some kind of assembly system for the fittings, like i've seen on some other gunto Sincerely, -Sam

I understand this one might not be legible… Even if getting a translation is a long shot, I figure it can’t hurt to try. It’s very small, and located on a type 98 gunto tsuka. Sincerely, -Sam

Sakō Kaneshige worked before and during WW2 I believe he made both gendaito and showato but the photos that you've provided do not show the entire nakago. Are there any stamps above the mekugi-ana? I'm going to relocate your thread to the Military Swords of Japan section, in hopes you get some more feedback. All the best, -Sam

Thank you for pinning this thread, Bruce. I'm looking forward to building a consolidated Type 95 topic here on the board. I somehow overlooked cataloging all those black saya Type 95s, so that was a fun project this morning. To anyone interested in contributing to the Type 95 Shin-Gunto cataloging project; or if you have questions about a Type 95 in your collection or one currently for sale; please feel free to post here. For the most accurate information for cataloging, I’d appreciate clear photos of the following: - The stamps on the fuchi. - The serial number on both the blade and the saya (scabbard). - Both sides of the tsuka (handle). - A full-length photo of the sword and saya. - Any notable or unusual features. Thank you! -Sam