Type 95 Gunto Worksheet

[robinalexander]

This could be a start...is that pre-ignition I can hear? 

[Scogg]

Maybe some pre-ignition . I began this project as my own personal study guide and reference material; but it's evolved into something a bit bigger. Since we've started a new page now, below are the patterns that I still need good images of. Hoping to get donated images from peoples personal collections so I don't have to reuse images from internet listings.

Slowly but surely getting there. 
-Sam 

 

Copper Tsuka Initial Pattern:
Pattern 1 = Copper handle - 11mm Brass tsuba - Offset ito at fuchi - Cap but no drag on saya.
Aluminum Tsuka Patterns:
*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 handle - 9mm Brass tsuba - Mirrored ito.
Pattern 3 = Aluminium handle - Steel tsuba - With/without bohi(rare without) - Mirrored ito.

*Pattern 3a = Aluminum handle - Top latch steel tsuba  but with side latch cutout - mirrored ito.
Pattern 4 = Aluminium handle - Steel tsuba - Side latch - Mirrored ito.
Wooden or Ito Tsuka, “Last ditch” Late War Patterns:
Pattern 5 = Wooden handle - Steel Tsuba - Side Latch - With(rare with)/Without bohi - Steel saya.
Pattern 6 = Wooden handle - Steel Tsuba - Side Latch - Without Bohi - Wooden saya.
Pattern 7 = Wooden ring handle - Steel Tsuba - Without Bohi - Side Latch - No serial numbers.
Pattern 8 = Ito wrapped handle - Steel Tsuba - Without Bohi - Side Latch - No serial numbers.

[Bruce Pennington]

Sam,

I have a copper and a Pattern 5, both back in Colorado (I'm in CA until January).  If you don't get the shots you need before then, I'll get some to you.  I have some pics on my laptop, but they're not as good as you'd like for your work.

[Scogg]

28 minutes ago, Bruce Pennington said:

Sam,

I have a copper and a Pattern 5, both back in Colorado (I'm in CA until January).  If you don't get the shots you need before then, I'll get some to you.  I have some pics on my laptop, but they're not as good as you'd like for your work.

Thanks, Bruce! 

That would be a huge help, and get me over that halfway point.

I'll bug ya in January about it 
-Sam

[Kiipu]

5 hours ago, Scogg said:

Pattern 7 = Wooden ring handle

Pattern 8 = Ito wrapped handle

 

These are not Type 95s but a variant Type 100 for officers unique to Jinsen Arsenal.  They have a unique serial number stamped on the tang.  Also, the order is reversed as regards introduction.

Questions about "late war", NCO swords

&

Short Development History of Type 95 Gunto, Post #239

[Scogg]

1 minute ago, Kiipu said:

 

These are not Type 95s but a variant Type 100 for officers unique to Jinsen Arsenal.  They have a unique serial number stamped on the tang.  Also, the order is reversed as regards introduction.

Questions about "late war", NCO swords

&

Short Development History of Type 95 Gunto, Post #239

Thank you Thomas @Kiipu, that's a huge relief actually. Makes a lot of sense, as they don't really "fit" with the rest. 

I was not sure how to catalog those ones anyway, and I encounter them vary rarely.

Phew!
Thank you so much,
-Sam

Updated:
 

Copper Tsuka Initial Pattern:
Pattern 1 = Copper handle - 11mm Brass tsuba - Offset ito at fuchi - Cap but no drag on saya.
Aluminum Tsuka Patterns:
*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 handle - 9mm Brass tsuba - Mirrored ito.
Pattern 3 = Aluminium handle - Steel tsuba - With/without bohi(rare without) - Mirrored ito.

*Pattern 3a = Aluminum handle - Top latch steel tsuba  but with side latch cutout - mirrored ito.
Pattern 4 = Aluminium handle - Steel tsuba - Side latch - Mirrored ito.
Wooden Tsuka “Last ditch” Late War Patterns:
Pattern 5 = Wooden handle - Steel Tsuba - Side Latch - With(rare with)/Without bohi - Steel saya.
Pattern 6 = Wooden handle - Steel Tsuba - Side Latch - Without Bohi - Wooden saya.

[Kiipu]

Actually, they show up as often as the 300,000 range.

 

A little more about the observed serials on these variant Type 100s that I call the Jinsen Type 5.

Arsenal Stamps.

[robinalexander]

Sam, I'll get the Pattern 1 and Pattern 5 (no bohi) away to you via PM in the next few days 

[John C]

On 11/24/2025 at 12:43 PM, Scogg said:

Pattern 2 = Aluminium handle - 9mm Brass tsuba - Mirrored ito.

Sam:

Not sure if this is what you are looking for, however my 95 might be a pattern 2 with mirrored ito????

 

John C.

[Scogg]

Hi @John C, precisely!
 

That’s a great example of a “Pattern 2,” and it’s exactly what I need photos of.
 

If you’re willing, I’d be very grateful for as many detailed images you can send via message. I’m especially looking for full-sword shots, close-ups of both sides of the tsuka, the clip/tsuba area, any stamps or serial numbers, and the saya drag.
 

When I say “mirrored ito,” I’m referring to how the ito meets the fuchi. On Pattern 1 copper tsuka and the transitional aluminum types (what I call patterns 2a and 2b), the ito at the fuchi looks like the example below (an aluminum pattern 2a from my collection).
 

On June 24, 1939, the ito pattern at the fuchi was changed so the folds on both sides matched (like on your sword). This let the mekugi pass through the samegawa instead of the ito, and supposedly allowing a tighter fit. I use terms like “offset ito” or "mirrored ito" in my notes to distinguish the copper and transitional tsuka from the Pattern 2 and all later aluminum tsuka.

For better or worse (probably worse), some of the terminolgy and phrasing i'm using comes from my shorthand notes, so while it's clear to me, it might not be intuitive for others.
 
Thanks everyone for your support during my efforts!
It means a lot.
-Sam

 

 

[John C]

24 minutes ago, Scogg said:

as many detailed images you can send via message.

No problem. I try to shoot some this week. p.s. the saya does have matching serial number.

 

John C.

[Bruce Pennington]

Just adding a link to Thomas' summary of variations:

 

[Stegel]

On 9/24/2025 at 11:41 PM, Bruce Pennington said:

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.

I checked the tsuba thickness on this sword and it is definitely 9mm, not 11mm.

This also highlights how certain angles can give a distorted  perception when it comes to the appearance of certain objects. In your photo Bruce, I would agree that it looks like the thicker version too.

Here’s two photos for the record.

Sorry the battery was flat, but you can still see the measurement 

[Kiipu]

On 11/24/2025 at 12:43 PM, Scogg said:

*Pattern 3a = Aluminum handle - Top latch steel tsuba  but with side latch cutout - mirrored ito.

 

Are you referring to this crossguard design below?  If so, this was a modification done after manufacture.

Type 95 Gunto - Transitional Tsuba