Interesting Type 95

[lonely panet]

Hi guys interesting nco's gunto, with a very cool koiguchi. 

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-Japanese-ARMY-NCO-TYPE-95-COMBAT-SWORD-ORIGINAL-KOKURA-ARSENAL-GIFU/392194422341?hash=item5b509bf645:g:~F0AAOSw5qJcFYLD

[Bruce Pennington]

Yes, classic example of the era when officers were renting and buying NCO gunto due to shortages. (Or of course just a lucky grab off the post-war pile of blades and saya)

[Shamsy]

I wasn't able to decide if I thought this was genuine, or if it was a recent throat alteration, like the one Stegal saw manufactured for the aluminium prototype sword. It is well made, but I cannot find pictures of the one Stegal posted, so I can't comment on the quality of the fake to compare.

 

I'd cautiously say genuine.

[BANGBANGSAN]

It could be war time repair.Don't think it's prototype though,since it has pretty high number .

[Shamsy]

Though it does bear a striking resemblance to the prototypes scabbard. Conjecture, really.

[Dave R]

NCO sword with a modified officers scabbard. A bit of a shotgun job in my opinion.....

[lonely panet]

i think your comment is abit flippant dave, have a closer look.

 

both parts are made from the same metal, with the same age and patina

 the addition lines up exactly with the inter section of the saya to fit the habaki.   EXACTLY

there is NO sign of solder, screws or glue or file marks, showing a good amount of professional work involved

the locking latch is un touched by a file.

 

as to when and who did it ?? no idea. im not a fan of the type 95. think there boring and over priced but I think it deserves to be posted for the type 95 fans.

far more interesting then a boring minty or those massively over priced early copper handled versions 

[Bruce Pennington]

Hamfish,

 

I just realized what you meant by the interesting koiguchi! You’re right it appears to be made for this 95, which supports my first impression that this was a gunto purchased by an officer during the gunto shortage with a custom built saya.

[Dave R]

 I think a decision could only be made with the piece in hand, there is always hidden detail not available from a photo. I am perhaps overly sceptical, but that is very much because of what I have seen in the years I have been collecting. 

 

 I suggest reading and rereading the very carefully worded description below the the main block of the posting.

[Bruce Pennington]

This one popped up over on gunboards and I just noticed the original slot for the officer style latch in the koiguchi has been filled with a new wood piece, obviously newer than the liner!

[Dave R]

Well spotted Mr Pennington, I had missed that clue! .... and still probably just about worth what it went for, given the condition of the mounts.

 

Photo from the original Ebay post below

[Shamsy]

Well spotted gentlemen. Looks like I saved myself some frustration not bidding.

 

After I saw the frankly brilliant work that someone did to 'fix' and replace the all aluminium sword prototype'scabbard latch, I've had less confidence with these 'officer purchase' 95s. After all, they were only supposed to be temporary, until the officer could purchase a proper sword.