Matching Assembly Numbers

[IJASWORDS]

It is heartening to find a sword where the painted assembly number on the nakago matches all the numbers on the fittings. 

Ohmura describes these swords as a "last stage type" and not a "normalized form". He explains how mixed fittings were used late in the war due to shortages. Some fittings are plain pressed metal, or from a parts bin of left overs. Even the ray skin "same" is replaced by a painted adhesive tape. 

This example is a 1944 NORINAGA. Due to years of wear and tear, the tzuka was re-wrapped in the original colour in Ohmura's Study. 

These swords are not as beautiful as the 98 or normalized RS, but are non the less interesting as a much needed WW2 sword for an officer at the front, added to this is their relative rarity. 

[Bruce Pennington]

Nice presentation Neil.  I agree it's nice to have matching numbers, as it means no one has done post-war mixing.  In the case of this late-war piece, it also acts as evidence that the odd gunto was actually made that way. 

[Eric M]

Nice sword. Do you know why they were using alphanumeric figures vs only Japanese ones? 

[Bruce Pennington]

13 hours ago, Eric M said:

alphanumeric figures vs only Japanese ones?

I've never heard, nor read, an explanation.  My guess is that it started when Japan was "modernizing" their military and were using guns and swords made in the West.  But that's just a guess.

[mecox]

From what I heard it was overall less confusing and simpler.