Type 95 Gunto Worksheet

[Scogg]

On 9/5/2025 at 6:18 PM, Scogg said:

I have read mixed information about this. I have 7249 Tokyo, in my collection and it has a 9mm brass tsuba. 
 

It stands to reason that there would be some carry over, but I have never seen an aluminum with 11mm tsuba myself. If you have any examples for my list, or definitive sources I would love that for my records.

 

On 9/5/2025 at 6:12 PM, BANGBANGSAN said:

Sam

Some of the very first version of Aluminium handle also has 11mm Brass tsuba.

Also，there are some Pattern 5 with Bohi. 

I understand it may not be possible, but I am very curious about the tsuba thickness of #6756.

Nick Koyima states in his warrelics thread (linked below) "Short Development History of Type 95 Gunto", on page 2:
"....Stu W's article describes the second model as having an aluminum grip and continuing to have a 11 mm thick Tsuba, but the Tsuba design was definitely switched to 9 mm thickness at the same time as gaining aluminum grips.
The only possible and likely reconciliation is that mixing of old and new specs occurred to use up remaining stock of old Tsubas and Seppas...."

Ever since reading this thread, and hearing rumors of 11mm brass tsuba on pattern2 aluminum Type 95's, I have been searching for one... I have a suspicion that none exist amongst the early Suya made Type 95s. I am not so sure about the GIFU/NAGOYA early aluminum pattern 2 tsuba thickness. 

If anyone has an aluminum handled Type 95 with Nagoya and Gifu stamps under serial number ~19000, I would VERY appreciative of a tsuba measurement taken with calipers. 

The search continues,
-Sam
 

https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/Japanese-militaria/short-development-history-type-95-gunto-676112-2/

[Bruce Pennington]

I used to own this one, but I traded it to Ernie @Stegel.  Pretty sure it's the thicker one.  I'll see if I can get a measurement from him.

[Scogg]

Thank you Bruce. It does look thick. It would be very interesting if 11mm tsuba were found on the early Nagoya/Gifu but not the early Suya/tokyo stamped swords. It would solve a small mystery for me, and maybe even allow me to update my transitional pattern list. 

I sent Stegel a message early September for a measurement but have not yet heard back. 

I believe @Swords might have had a similar example. Any chance you have a precise tsuba thicknesss measurement Steve? 

Thanks again everyone,
-Sam
 

[Stegel]

On 9/23/2025 at 6:42 AM, BANGBANGSAN said:

Sam

Here is   early aluminum handle  #6756

 

 

 

 

Hi Trystan,

Where did you come across this sword??

I'm asking because i actually bought and paid for this sword back in Jan  2020 from memory

But it never arrived!

 

Edited September 26 by Stegel

[Stegel]

On 9/23/2025 at 7:14 AM, Scogg said:

Do you recall if it had a matching saya? Was this something you found in the wild?
Thanks so much,
-Sam

Yes, it is matching blade and scabbard.

A pic for your info.

 

[Scogg]

Much appreciated Stegel! I'm sorry to hear that this one disappeared on you...

Something I find particularly interesting, is that the first 6 digit in the serial number 6756, appears to be double struck both on the blade and on the saya.

Thanks again,
-Sam

 

[Scogg]

Looking for a specific photo request:
 

Does anyone here own a Pattern 4 aluminum-handle side-latch with a serial number in the 200k–205k range?
 

I’ve noticed a subtle feature in the 130k range, and I’d like to check if the same detail appears in the 200k range.
 

If you have one of these 200k aluminum side-latch models, I’d really appreciate a close-up photo (both sides) of the cast samegawa area around the pommel/sarute.

Thanks so much for your help!
-Sam

[Bruce Pennington]

Sam,

You probably already have mine? 202446

 

[Conway S]

Are you referring to what looks like a glop in the casting? 
 

Here is an example in the 202,000 serial range:

 

WWII Japanese NCO OFFICERS SWORD SIDE LATCH & MATCHING NUMBERS ON SCABBARD #Y59

[Scogg]

Very interesting. 

Just so I'm less cryptic here: I was checking to see if your pommel area shared the casting flaw on the cast samegawa shown in my comment below (see how the dimpling is splotchy/incomplete left of the sarute). I have observed this same casting flaw on two 130k side-latch swords now. 

It appears that your 202446 does not share this feature (but maybe it's on the other side?). Interesting.

Thank you Bruce! 
-Sam

 

Edited Monday at 06:19 PM by Scogg
Posted simultaneous with Coways last comment

[Scogg]

Precisely @Conway S!

 

200k range from the eBay link you provided:



130k range:

[Bruce Pennington]

I don't have my 200 one with me, but I have 134112, and it has the same flaw!

[drb 1643]

Sam, here’s pictures of my sidelock #134600 and the casting flaw is obvious. I never noticed this before so thank you for your insight.

Tom

[Conway S]

@Scogg I thought you were maybe talking about this other casting flaw which Stegel points out in this Warrelics thread:

 

Japanese nco nagoya sword

 

 

[Scogg]

Interesting! I had not seen that one before but I now see it on Bruce’s example and on the one that I used as an example (shown below). 
 

Thank you! Another little detail that I will note 
 

 

[drb 1643]

Yes, the other side of my side lock also shows this same flaw.

Tom

[Scogg]

Thank you fellas! Seems like they had some casting-mould problems during this pattern transition 

Very interesting, and something that I will note going forward. I am attempting to make a PDF photo guide of the pattern types including transitional patterns and some of the more subtle features, so things like this are important to include. Still a work in progress.

I'd love to consolidate much of the information about Type95s that's currently dispersed throughout many forums and sources. 

Thank you everyone, it is very much appreciated and helps my efforts greatly.
-Sam

[John C]

3 hours ago, Scogg said:

I am attempting to make a PDF photo guide

WAY OFF TOPIC ALERT!!

Sam:

Are you using Adobe in-design (ID) for this project? I use it for all of my book covers and New Employee Orientation booklets I write. It can't be beat for what you are doing. You can get it by the month for just 35 bucks per.

 

Okay...sorry for the digression. Back to type 95s....

 

John C.

[Scogg]

8 minutes ago, John C said:

WAY OFF TOPIC ALERT!!

Sam:

Are you using Adobe in-design (ID) for this project? I use it for all of my book covers and New Employee Orientation booklets I write. It can't be beat for what you are doing. You can get it by the month for just 35 bucks per.

 

Okay...sorry for the digression. Back to type 95s....

 

John C.

Currently, I'm just making my "drafts" on google docs. Google docs allows me to access the work from anywhere, and save my draft as a variety of file types. 

The goal is, to complete my draft, and then use a program like you describe to "format" my work so it's neat and easy-to-consume.

Currently, my big issue/annoyance is image placement.
Thank you for the recommendation! I am going to make a note to look into Adobe in-design.
-Sam

[John C]

5 minutes ago, Scogg said:

Currently, my big issue/annoyance is image placement.

As a program specifically designed for layout (magazines, books, menus, flyers, etc) this is where it shines. Also, It's cloud-based so you can access from anywhere. PM me if you want more information or have any questions.

 

John C.

[Rawa]

Kokura 58478
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/14PHGjAJZMV/?mibextid=wwXIfr