Fittings Thread

[Bruce Pennington]

I don't think we have a dedicated thread to just discuss fittings, when the need arises.  If I'm wrong, post a link and we'll use that.

 

Came across something I've NEVER seen before!  The sakura and leaves are indented on this koiguchi, rather than raised.  They are raised on the fuchi, so don't know what that says.  But for your viewing pleasure ( found on this Roland Auction ):

[John C]

I assume these go through a press of some sort as a strip. If the strip were "folded" the wrong direction, I could see this happening. But I wouldn't think it would pass quality control. 

 

John C.

[Tensho]

Hmm... Looks raised to me? 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Perhaps the molds were worn down, resulting in a weaker shape.

[The Blacksmith]

It looks raised to me, though perhaps not quite as proud as many. As John has said, perhaps the dies were a bit worn by this point.

[Bruce Pennington]

Well, shoot!  I see it now.  I have a strange visual condition with these photos sometimes.  I literally see them reversed.  It's not all the time, though.  Weird.  

 

Oh well, at least with have a "Koshirae" thread.  I realize there is a "Tosogu" thread already, but that tends to be overwhelmingly nihonto related.

[robinalexander]

ecurB oot em ot desrever skooL

[Bruce Pennington]

Smart aleck!

 

Ok, here's one.  Couldn't find a dedicated Type 94 thread, so posting here.

 

Here's a Type 94 with double haikan and fat tsuba, but offset chuso.  Found on this Gunboards Thread.  I had been under the impression that all Type 94s had the centered chuso.  

 

 

[John C]

5 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

Here's a Type 94

Bruce:

Other than the double hanger and thicker tsuba, what else differentiates a 94 from a 98? Ohmura-san lumps them together and I have wondered.

 

John C.

[robinalexander]

94's usually have a separate/stand alone sarute barrel and can have a pinned kabutogane

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Here's the barrel

[Bruce Pennington]

2 hours ago, John C said:

Bruce:

Other than the double hanger and thicker tsuba, what else differentiates a 94 from a 98? Ohmura-san lumps them together and I have wondered.

 

John C.

Well, everything I know about Type 94s I learned from John, PNSSHOGUN.  So this conversation covers it all.  

 

98s didn't have double haikan, period.  So, this is a 94.  I just posted it because it's exceptional (in my understanding) with the offset chuso.  Like we all know - Never say 'never' nor 'always' with WWII gunto"!

[PNSSHOGUN]

Type 94 will generally have the centered release button, offset release buttons are genuine but make it difficult to identify if the 2nd hanger is absent. The sword Bruce shared is original and fantastic, would love to own it.

 

Here is an all original Type 94 with an offset release.

 

[Tensho]

3 hours ago, robinalexander said:

94's usually have a separate/stand alone sarute barrel and can have a pinned kabutogane

 

I always thought this to be the case too, obviously it is not. Here is mine. 

[Tensho]

Here's a strange one. Never saw this sakura design on a 94/98

[robinalexander]

Another separate sarute barrel from a Type 94 for posterity (NMB photo)

[Bruce Pennington]

I think I've seen this once, or twice, before - a Type 94 with lacquered skin saya.  Found HERE.

 

[Bryce]

G'day Guys,

The central chuso is not a hard rule. Generally type 94's have a central chuso and type 98's have an offset one, but you do find 98's with a central chuso and vice versa.

Cheers,

Bryce

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Leather Tassel Question - I know I've seen this discussed but cannot find the reference -

What appears, at first glance, to be an NCO leather tassel, but the cord is a braided, round leather cord.  Seems like these were something else.  Anyone know?

 

[John C]

I have seen something similar on US marine corps sword tassels.

 

John C.

[Bruce Pennington]

That might be it, John, although the tip of the 'knot' looks different.

[Conway S]

Look up Model 1902 Army Officer Sword. These are early 20th century US sword knots. There seems to also be a variant with a whistle in the knot. 

 

Conway

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Ah yes!  I remember the conversation, and it included a whistle.  So, pre-WWII, U.S. military.  I'll pass that along.

[Bruce Pennington]

Not WWII Japanese fittings, but I couldn't locate a thread where this stuff was discussed:

 

Great example of that woven cord work done on ships as troops and sailors were heading home.  There's a word for that, but I cannot recall it.  Found on a Sukenobu, showa-stamped blade, in civil fittings at this ebay sale.

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Bruce, Kumihimo or himo-musubi？

[Bruce Pennington]

7 minutes ago, Bugyotsuji said:

Bruce, Kumihimo or himo-musubi？

Are those names of Japanese workmanship?  The word I'm looking for is for G.I. or Allied sailors who do such work to kill time on the ship going home.

[Bugyotsuji]

You reckon thse were not done by Japanese? Twining, braiding or plaiting？

[PNSSHOGUN]

The term for the knotwork is listed as "Whiteline or Belfast" and is on page 77 of the larger Fuller & Gregory book.

 

These are some unique fittings, note the small screw securing the Kabutogane. Shame the Tsuba is gone.

 

 

[Stephen]

Mainly military guy most likely Navy guys seen charts on a slow ship to Okinawa.....opps Johns posted better check it out not the question John.  It's the cordage in question. 

Edited January 6 by Stephen
To add last line.

[Stephen]

Thinking there's another name this will do till morning.  Back to sleep I hope. 

 

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