Scogg

I wonder too. I am surprised to see any copper appear on goodwill, especially one that has some provenance. Considering it’s already over typical aluminum prices, I imagine at least two of the bidders have an idea what it is. Allow me to correct something: My statement before was slightly misleading. I have this sword recorded from a source “Donald Barnes” and also in Dawsons cyclopedia. But one of Dawsons cyclopedia source was Barnes himself, so while it appears twice - both appearances are from the same source. I wonder if this sword was donated by someone who inherited it, or figured the metal handle meant it wasn’t real. Who knows, but could be a good pickup for someone Photo from Dawsons cyclopedia:

I'd love to know if the Saya has a matching number or not. For what it's worth, with SF around the corner and having recently purchased another blade; I will NOT be bidding on this copper 95. I hope you, or someone on the board acquires it for a good price. If someone here gets it, please send me a message about the saya serial number. Happy hunting! -Sam

I believe it's legitimate. Nice to see the remnants of the leather sarute is still there. Some of the Pattern1 blades didn't get the arsenal stamp next to the serial number; we see several without the blade arsenal stamp. Looks like the suya stamp on the fuchi may have been double struck, which is a good detail for my notes. I have this specific sword #161 recorded from a couple different sources, and I believe it's number is listed in Dawsons Cyclopedia also. Thanks for sharing, -Sam

The seki stamp on the tang, that the red arrow in pointing to, is widely understood to identify non-traditionally made swords. Collectors refer to these as “showato”. Meaning this particular blade is not a Nihonto, and therefore recognized as a weapon in Japan. It would be illegal to own there, even if a relative carried it in WW2. Link for the showato info: https://www.japaneseswordindex.com/showato.htm Link for sword law details: https://www.jssus.org/nkp/japanese_sword_laws.html Excerpt from the link: “Only traditionally made Nihonto can be licensed, i.e. swords made in Japan from Tamahagane 玉鋼 (and Shinto swords that are inscribed "Motte Namban-Tesu 以南蠻鐵" ["made using steel from the southern barbarians"]). This means in effect that it has to be either an antique, or made by a contemporary, licensed smith. Mass produced WWII swords (so called Showato昭和刀) and foreign made swords are not eligible for Torokusho.” Beware trusting the embassy officials, as they might not know how to properly identify the difference. I do admire your goal and feelings toward your sword. I just encourage you to consider that fate placed it with you, and maybe that’s where it’s meant to be. All the best, -Sam

Thank you Thomas! The “I owe you one’s” keep piling up . Much appreciated. Sincerely, -Sam

Sounds like an interesting sword. Typically, you see the swordsmith name on one side of the nakago, and a date on the other. I have heard of swords with the officers names inscribed on the nakago, but in my years of collecting i've never personally seen one. Thanks for sharing your sword with us. Best of luck, -Sam

Good eye Conway, I didn't even notice that small mark half under the seppa. Almost looks like the top half of the Nagoya sea creature stamp. Possibly a sub-assembly number makes sense, thank you. I am mostly curious about the main stamp above it. My first thought was a naval anchor that's been stamped over, but nothing I find quite fits

Here’s a head scratcher. Is this two stamps ontop of each other? Found on Reddit, on a Japanese saber known as “Taiwan sword for sonin level officials” in Dawsons.

Hello J, @buzzukka, welcome to the forum, and very cool tanto! I'm going to relocate your post to the "Nihonto" section. Your grandfathers WW2 story is cool and may be true, but I believe you have an older, traditionally made, Japanese TANTO here. Also, it's not outfitted in WW2 military fittings. Therefore, I think you will get better feedback in the Nihonto section. Proceed with patience and caution, and best of luck. Let me know if you have any issues/concerns, -Sam

Hi Roger, This is a noble goal, but it's very unlikely the original owner can be found. Even if your sword is signed, it would be signed by the swordsmith, and not the last person who carried it. There is no way to associate a swordsmith signature with most recent individual who carried it - UNLESS a surrender tag was included with that individuals family information. Long story short, don't give your sword away unless you're absolutely sure it's going to the right place. Nobody at the Japanese embassy in Colorado is qualified to make that determination, and they don't have some secret military personnel+sword list. Just, beware, because we've seen swords be "repatriated" and then end up on the auction sites months later. Best of luck, -Sam

Hi @RFM, Relocating this to the military swords of Japan section because I think you’ll get more responses there about the fittings and these type of swords. Let me know if you have any issues/questions. Best of luck, -Sam

I’m sure @Bruce Pennington will be around soon. I could also use a pair of calipers on mine and get you some exterior measurement, let me know if that would help. But for reasons that would take too long to explain, I am unable to disassemble my koiguchi to get the interior measurements; and my other Type95 is a side latch. In the meantime, I found this link on eBay that may be of interest. https://ebay.us/m/BXoJpb Would you care to share the stamps and number? Looks like a Tokyo saya perhaps. Best of luck, -Sam

I think it’s just an artifact from the lighting. We all know how challenging it is to photograph boshi. Looks like a lot to enjoy, Congrats

@LastSamurai Relocating to “wanted to buy” Best of luck, -Sam

Conway is correct. This looks genuine, and the Pattern3 variant with black tsuba shows up all over the place - even below serial number 20k. With congruent manufacture between multiple arsenals and subcontractor + the possibility of repair; it's not always possible to make generalities with serial numbers alone. To make an accurate assessment of a sword’s authenticity, you really need to consider the entire piece and every component. All the best, -Sam

On a wakizashi I used to own. Had a sticker on the leather saya with a name

Hi @Sunseeker, welcome to the forum! I am going to relocate this thread to the "Translation Assistance" section, because I think you will get a faster reply there. Let me know if you have any questions/issues. Best of luck, -Sam

Love to hear it, thank you Thomas! I will be diving into some AOE reading to prepare Thanks, -Sam

He's a busy guy lately, but he'll chime in if he's got the time. I'd also be curious to hear @Bruce Pennington 's thoughts, as i've seen him comment on these potential "island swords" before. I agree with everyones skepticism above; but to me the question remains: Is this an item meant to deceive? Or something put together in Japanese occupied territory during wartime? -Sam

Good spot Conway, no wonder this sword was so familiar Great to see you posting Stegel , -Sam

I'll be there! I am very curious/excited about what that NBTHK-AB display might be... Say hello if you see me, and apologies in advance for my social ineptitude Looking forward to it. -Sam

Hmmm, interesting one. I agree, that you should probably walk away. Too many things are not quite right, and any attempt to move this sword in the future would raise the same red flags. I have actually seen this same sword before, and recorded it as a "heavily altered example". I record things in red font that do not adhere to factory specifications that I am aware of; while I record fakes on a different list. 2282 東 Copper, ? Punctured offset ito Steel Copper Suya, TO 東 , Kokura**** Wrong saya, leather covered Facebook 2025 Real blade+parts but suspect sarute. Steel tsuba. Heavily modified or repaired* What I see as wrong: Pattern3 tsuba, wrong saya, wrong sarute. The Pattern1 copper handles did not have a mekugi in that spot, but rather relied on the barrel nut where the sarute is located. What appears right: The blade looks good. Correct Pattern1 habaki. The tsuka has the correct ito alternation, and the mekugi is in the right place for the ito situation, which matches early Pattern2 placement. You sometimes see this with field/wartime repairs. My opinion: I think everything is real except maybe the sarute. I suspect this item is either pieced together from parts, or a heavily modified wartime repair. Just my thoughts with not ideal photos. All the best, -Sam

I always love hearing that someone want's to save a piece of history! So, there's a few routes you could take, but the first step I would recommend is looking at this website's "restoration" list. At the top of the page click the pulldown menu named "Nihonto Info" then "links" then "restoration". I'd recommend doing a good bit of research into each individual before contacting any of them, as they are often very busy. Others will hopefully add their own input on restoration, Best of luck, -Sam

You've got an interesting item, no doubt. As Brian and others have mentioned, it will be expensive to restore properly. Lets break it down: Sword purchase = $1000 + Polish = $150 x ~27 inches = $4050 + Shirasaya = lets just say ~$750 Total approximate investment = ~$5,800 and a considerable amount of time. BUT for a very beautiful, complete, and desirable WW2 katana. It will boil down to what you're willing to invest. Best of luck, -Sam Edit: There's a chance that a flaw is hiding beneath its condition that could devalue the item. Unlikely in your case, in my opinion; But my point is that a restoration is not entirely without risk.

No doubt. And your gut gives the best advice. I agree with Rawa and Lareon. We’ll be here if you have questions while shopping around Best of luck, -Sam