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Thank you all for the kind words. I hope the document is useful to collectors and prospective sword buyers. For those interested in further study, I encourage you to explore the bibliography section. It includes several invaluable sources, and the real credit belongs to the authors and contributors whose research and forum discussions made this possible. I put this together for everyone, but also so I could personally more easily digest material from such a large variety of sources. Some hands on study has helped a lot too. I look forward to continuing my study and collection, and updating the document as I learn more. I hope it meets the high standards of this forum and those collectors and scholars before me. Thanks again everyone! I'm excited to have it out there. All the best, -Sam

Showato at large is definitely beyond my ability , although guys like Bruce and Mal have a lot of downloads about gunto that are really well put together. I hope to stay on-top of Type 95 observation, archiving, and collecting. Update editions and maybe do a companion piece someday. During all the research, I’ve learned a lot about the type 32 gunto too. I’ve considered tracking them as well. -Sam

I am excited to announce the release of a document I have been working on: Type 95 Military Sword Variations. It is now available in the download section for anyone who would like to access it. I am pinning this thread in place of the Type 95 Worksheet, of which can be found here: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/29722-type-95-gunto-worksheet/#comments My hope is that this monograph helps dispel some of the long standing rumors surrounding these swords and assists collectors in identifying the examples in their own collections. This work is purely educational and is intended to consolidate information from several sources into one comprehensive reference. I would like to acknowledge the late Nick Komiya for the huge amount of documents he shared on the warrelics forum over the years; without his contributions to the study of Japanese Militaria, this document simply could not exist. I'd also like to extend a special thanks to the following Nihonto Message Board members, who either directly, or indirectly through discussions over the years, greatly aided my understanding of this type of Japanese sword. I am forever grateful. @Kiipu @Bruce Pennington @Conway S @John C @drb 1643 Tom Foster, @robinalexander @BANGBANGSAN @Shamsy @Stegel @PNSSHOGUN @rebcannonshooter @Grimmdarkspire @matthewbrice @vajo @Brian . Please see the aknowledgements section in the download, and I hope not to have forgotten anyone... This is Edition #1, and I intend to update the download annually as new revelations arise and as serial number range changes are observed. It is formatted imperfectly, but to the best of my ability with programs at hand (I am an enthusiast and collector, not an experienced writer). Please feel free to let me know if you notice any typos or inconsistencies, and I will address them promptly. Feel free to use this topic to post information or questions about Type 95 Gunto. I hope you find the monograph helpful. Happy Valentine’s Day! -Sam

@JBHIII Relocating your thread to the TOSOGU section. I think you will get more input and opinions over there. Best of luck with your fathers collection, Some cool items there. -Sam

So that’s a little tough for me to guess with my level of knowledge. Especially with a naginata naoshi, as much of my studies has been with katana and tachi. Simply put, I’m just not there yet to give you a good age estimate. The thing with age, is that it’s generally assessed based on SUGATA and the form of the blade. When a blade has been shortened, much of that profile has been lost or altered. That can be said 2fold for naginata, because they’re often not only shortened from the bottom up, they are also often altered at the tip. Please see the heated discussion below. Lots of arguing, but also lots of valuable info: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/52155-naginata-naoshi/page/3/ From what little we can see, I think koto is likely. But because of what I mentioned above - big grain of salt. -Sam

I’m not certain, but it could be partly due to the sugata once being “U no Kubi Zukuri”, perhaps? http://meiboku.info/guide/form/zukuri/index.htm Looks interesting, and I like the profile. Nice find, and I would be curious to hear what a Togishi might say about it. All the best, -Sam

What I notice right away is the nakagojiri shape looking straight, and that it does not extend into the pommel area. Whereas the aluminum and copper variations the nakagojiri is more chestnut shaped and has the large hole for the grommet screw through the pommel. This is not altogether surprising considering the double menuki serving as mekugi situation; but it’s interesting to actually see, and also to see the nakagojiri shape and location. I’ve put a bid on this sword for curiosity sake. I hope nobody outbids me, because I feel I’m one of very few people something like this would appeal to. Wish me luck -Sam

While we’re on the topic of ha-machi and mune-machi alignment. Here is a rare glimpse of the machi on a wood handle Variation#8 that displays misalignment. Looks like a seki stamp on the blade, and I think the serial number is 215465, although the eBay photos make it very hard to see.

@MichaelL Relocating to the fake Japanese sword section. Sorry for the not-so-ideal assessment of your sword. For what it's worth, some people here on the forum started with a fake blade, which inspired them to find and collect genuine examples. Regards, -Sam

I think Kiipu is speaking of blades that we have seen the tang and machi alignment. Rare to see on the Type 95. For your records, 857 belonged to a friend of mine and has a 東 stamp on the tang. Serial number 4 is my lowest recorded. Serial number 71 is the lowest that I've personally observed photos of; and it has the cutout for habaki. But we have not seen the tang or the ha-machi/mune-machi for this blade. https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/22385-type-95-nco-copper-hilt/ All the best, -Sam

This can happen when copy/pasting from another app or translator program. When pasting, you will be prompted with an option to "post as plain text instead", and that will fix the formatting. I recently encountered something similar when copy/pasting from my phone notes app and my text looked good to me, but those in dark mode could not read it. @Gerry123, I'm going to relocate your post to the Nihonto section, because I feel it better fits that category. Like has been said, there is not anything that is obviously military issue that I can dicern. Best of luck, -Sam

Here is a really fascinating thread from Nick Komiya about the Type 32 Gunto production. It includes a document on a change in tassel production which I thought was interesting and attached below. https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/Japanese-militaria/system-kaizen-behind-type-32-gunto-production-1930s-788442/ I have two tassels that I beleive display the before/after of this change. Left tassel looks greasy from antique leather conditioner. Regards, -Sam

Hi Chris, The blade has 関 stamp which is for SEKI = 名古屋陸軍造兵廠関監督班 = Seki Supervisory Unit of Nagoya Army Arsenal. Your sword was likely made around June/July of 1944. No doubt in my mind that it's 100% genuine. Great looking example of the Pattern#5 (or Variation#8) Type 95 Gunto. -Sam (Also, that's a great book )

Here’s what I believe is an Akasaka tsuba, from my collection with this feature. Thanks for creating this thread, I’ve always been curious about it. -Sam

As far as I am aware, amongst the metal hilt Type 95 Gunto, only the copper variant had aligned machi. All aluminum variants of which that I have seen the nakago; have misaligned machi. I do not know about the wooden variants, but I suspect that they are also misaligned. Even my early aluminum transitional pattern has misaligned machi. So it appears, according to my interpretation, that the introduction of misaligned machi occured at the transition from copper to aluminum hilt in 1938. Photos below serial number #857 Copper, and #7249 Aluminum. To those reading along... I do not recommend disassembling your Type 95 swords. Bruce and I have a lot of experience with these; and are doing this with extreme care and for educational purposes. There's very little information to gain from taking them apart. All the best, -Sam

I see a lot to be excited about with your sword. I'm sure I'm not speaking for myself when saying, I'd love to see the nakago! My guess, with some thanks to our prior discussions, would be high quality old Bizen... From photos, I think it looks very nice. Best of luck, and looking forward to what Shinsa has to say. -Sam

Hi Dan, It’s already implied that uncited conversational comments are your opinions. Calling someone a “snob” is name-calling, and accusing others of being part of a conspiracy to benefit restoration businesses, something you’ve entirely fabricated, can be viewed as slander. In the opinion of others, you are sharing bad advice and therefore receiving pushback for it. If that makes you feel intimidated, ridiculed, berated, or belittled, that is your perception, but it does not justify personal attacks or spreading false claims. This forum is explicitly for the study and preservation of genuine Japanese swords and fittings. I sincerely hope that means we’re all “snobs” when it comes to this stuff. -Sam

The dimensions of the tsuba look funky to me; the circumference seems small. The drilled mekugi ana seems unusually placed. The kobutogane has some extra material around the ana for the sarute that I’m not familiar with seeing. All that being said, I’d still like to see more photos… You do see some weird stuff sometimes with WW2 swords. I’ll relocate the thread to the military section for some more eyes. We can always move it again if needed. Sincerely, -Sam

We’ll need more photos to make an informed assessment. Please use a dark, non-reflective background. Helpful images would include: a full length shot of the sugata taken straight from above, close ups of the munemachi and hamachi, and clear photos of both sides of the nakago. As mentioned above, some detailed shots of the tsuba would also be useful. If genuine, it may or may not have a stamp somewhere around the ana. With some more photos, I can relocate the thread to the appropriate section whether that’s here, the military section, or the fake section. Regards, -Sam

Hi Jeffree, BONJI can be tough to identify, but I think you're correct with KANMAN FUDŌ. It is definitely a Nihonto; but in very poor condition as you've noted. It is difficult to say whether or not it would be worth restoring, and for that you may need to get it into the hands of a qualified TOGISHI (professionally trained Nihonto polisher). I'm up in the Portland area, but I spend quite a bit of time down in Eugene. If you want someone to take a look in person, and chat about the sword, feel free to reach out. (Edit: I’m a collector and enthusiast, not an expert.) All the best, -Sam

I would have some concern that modern adhesives could contribute to corrosion of the seppa and may be difficult to remove without affecting the existing patina or wear. A similar approach without adhesive would achieve the same result while reducing risk to the parts. Just a thought. Best regards, -Sam

Some documents on the Type 95 Military Sword Leather Tassel. I'm neglecting to offer my google translations because they are not perfectly accurate; and I do not want to mislead in the interpretations. Source: Rules for wearing sword knot of saber Model 95 (remodeled sword guard): https://www.jacar.archives.go.jp/das/image-en/C01005289200 Firearms Section notification: Model 95 saber wearing and carrying guidelines: https://www.jacar.archives.go.jp/das/image-en/C01005222500

@chgruener I will relocate this to the Military Swords of Japan section, as it better fits that category. I think you'll get some additional input there. Best of luck, -Sam

That’s a very nice field grade example John. I’ve been looking for one of those for my field grade E&F Horster/SUYA Kyu Gunto. A couple company grade kyu gunto tassels that I recently picked up. One is a bit worn and dirty, the other looks nearly new and in a box.

Brian Tchernega did a wonderful presentation on tsukamaki. He brought tsuka dating from the muromachi period onward, and did a demonstration of a couple different wrapping styles. Some pretty incredible and old tsuka that he allowed us to admire. It was really cool to watch and be able to ask questions.