Type 95 Gunto Worksheet

[Scogg]

14 minutes ago, Bruce Pennington said:

Thomas and/or @Scogg = I don't have photos of all my other 95 machi, but the ones I have are all offset.  Are the aligned machi only seen on early coppers?

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
 

[Kiipu]

The Variation #2 introduced the offset machi along with an internal change to the habaki.  Per a private conversation with Bruce, the lower inside of the habaki was built up to make contact with the machi.

aquired/inherited type 95- questions

[Scogg]

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. 
 

[Kiipu]

Me thinks 212465 and note the end of the tang in relation to the hilt.  Thanks for posting.

[John C]

Sam:

What's interesting is that this could be the genesis of why the Chinese fakes have offset machi. I could imagine them taking apart a type 95 and thinking this is how it is supposed to be done.

 

John C.

[Bruce Pennington]

14 hours ago, Kiipu said:

note the end of the tang in relation to the hilt.

Not sure what you mean, can you explain?

[Scogg]

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 
 

 

[Krzysio]

Hello

 

Just got this sword that I was looking for to add to the collection.

Never seen saya like this one applied decorative for the late type 95.

It is metal and the numbers are matching.

For sure it was repainted at some point but not all sure.

 

What you all think?

 

thanks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Scogg]

Hi Kris @Krzysio,  

 

Really interesting Variation 8 (or pattern 5), Type 95. There’s a very light stamp from the Seki Supervisory Unit of Nagoya Army Arsenal forward the serial number. These swords are believed to have been made around June/July 1944. 

 

I don’t think the scabbard is original to the sword, because this variation had a flared metal drag at the end of the scabbard.

The mouth of the scabbard can be removed, so it’s possible the mouth of the original scabbard was removed and put onto one that is reminiscent of a Type 98 officer sword scabbard. 
 

Can we see some more photos of the scabbard, particularly the scabbard end (the ishizuki), and the hanger? Is the hanger loop welded in place? 

Never seen anything quite like it with those ornaments. I wonder how they are affixed to the metal scabbard. 

Thank you for sharing. 

Regards,
-Sam 

[Bruce Pennington]

That is quite an interesting item.  Matching numbers and the paint on the saya throat matches that of saya, and both look aged and worn appropriately for a wartime job.  Considering all the late-war swords we've seen, where people were making-do with what ever was available, I'd easily believe this to be something done in the war and not a post-war Bubba job.  

[Krzysio]

The hanger is little louse,

This seems like maybe something put together for looks?

more photos

Then this wood liner came out saya.

 

 

 

 

[Krzysio]

[Scogg]

I suspect that the scabbard was swapped and painted after the war. The glossiness/finish of the handle also leads me to suspect post-war alterations. 
 

The serial number on the scabbard, if original, makes it hard to imagine how this came together. Perhaps a couple occupation men, or friends after the war swapping parts and “blinging” up their bring-backs. 

Without a time machine, it’s hard to know for certain and I’m merely speculating scenarios. All I can say is that it did not leave the manufacturer that way. 
 

Interesting piece, and thank you for sharing. A unique one for sure. 

-Sam 

[Krzysio]

On 2/26/2026 at 6:42 PM, Bruce Pennington said:

That is quite an interesting item.  Matching numbers and the paint on the saya throat matches that of saya, and both look aged and worn appropriately for a wartime job.  Considering all the late-war swords we've seen, where people were making-do with what ever was available, I'd easily believe this to be something done in the war and not a post-war Bubba job.  

This is the feeling I got when decided to buy this sword.

Just contact seller and hope to get some more history if possible.

 

[Krzysio]

I guess we'll never know. The seller got the sword from someone that got it at a flea market.

It will be great to know if it was a vet bring back. But very well it's just something someone bling it.

Still a very cool sword and I will keep it as is.

 

Thank you all for feed back

 

[Bruce Pennington]

This is quite an interesting Type 95!  Suya/Tokyo 1st 153713.  The tsuka was wrapped over the aluminum.  Ito looks like the stuff we see on late war swords.  Wear & tear appear to be wartime aged appropriate.  That tassel looks pre-WWII, though I'm not studied on those.

Found on this ebay sale.

 

[Scogg]

Indeed interesting. This one has been on eBay for some time now. 

It actually has sparked a big question for me... I notice that the stamen on the sakura menuki have raised details. Whereas a sword in my collection in the 151k range with the same ferrule stamps has engraved stamen on the menuki. 

I have since been trying to narrow down when this change happened. 
Along with fine details on the tsuka amongst all subcontactors.

Someone out there might already know the answer. I'm leaning toward the interpretation that Suya may have switched casting moulds around their last batch of production.
Other interpretations may vary...
-Sam

(Sword on the left is serial number 151,957 東 with ferrule stamps: Suya, 東 , Tokyo1st Star.)

(Sword on the right is just a side-by-side example of the difference found in sakura stamen details. 54,683 東, no ferrule stamps, "Dawsons 2a", with thick seppa.)


 

[Rawa]

Check this out. If not fake it's ultimate super duper last stage. Number 212480 with [seki?] stamp

consistent with examples in nmb thread

 

 

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/230045197_wwii-type-95-wood-pineapple-handle-katana-reseda-ca

Edited Sunday at 06:32 PM by Rawa

[vajo]

Looks like garage made.

[John C]

May have been legit at one time, however the removal of the tsuba and alteration of the tsuka to slide it down has really shredded it. Then they added brass fuchi?

Used to be real then altered to a worthless state, IMHO.

 

John C.

 

[Rawa]

 

25 minutes ago, vajo said:

Looks like garage made.

You are right about koshirae, but blade itself with number and stamp? 

I added link to entire thread. Here you go example from this number range.

[Scogg]

That’s an ugly one . This started out as a Variation #8 wood-hilt Type 95, probably made in 1944, but it’s been pretty heavily messed with. I have the high/low range of this variation between 203306 and 218821.
 

It’s missing the pommel, mekugi, tsuba, and seppa.
 

The ferrule (fuchi) looks original, but the clip’s been cut off or removed. You can still see the chūkan (the clip housing). At some point it was painted that same brassy color you see on parts of the scabbard.
 

The scabbard itself is a Nagoya scabbard, so that's correct, but the clip opening at the throat has been filed off, or replaced. And the blade’s been buffed to oblivion, which also softens the edges of the serial number making it look weird.
 

I think it's real, but looks like heavily damaged post-war “bubba” work to me.
I would avoid.

-Sam

[Scogg]

Here’s a nearby serial number that appeared on Reddit. Also with some post-war work, but more tastefully done 

 

 

[vajo]

I'm not sure about that stamp Rawa.

I think its an india made replica

 

This is the nakago of the sword

 

https://www.proxibid.com/lotinformation/99580927/rare-late-wwii-Japanese-army-type-95-wood-pineapple-handle-nco-katana-with-scabbard

Edited yesterday at 11:28 AM by vajo

[Scogg]

You do see a little variety in the style and depth of serial number on these late war Variation #8 examples, but it still looks OK to me. Same style as on the 200k side latch aluminum examples too, as can be seen on ohmuras link here  

http://ohmura-study.net/791.html

 

I think it’s hard to use the nakago as an identifier, because I suspect it’s been heavily abused/altered and the hamachi moved. The nakagojiri on these, although seldom seen, is straight. 
 

All that said, I’ve been wrong before and I’m sure I will be again 

Best,

-Sam