Copper handle NCO or fake?

[Brian]

Don't know enough about these to tell one way or another.
Saw this on Facebook, wondered if someone wanted to check it out.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/653908327113130/

 

[robinalexander]

Tsuka looks (too ?) good BUT copper numbers finished in mid 6000's not 13000's .

 

So if blade is genuine, it certainly dosnt belong to a copper.

 

Therefore, maybe put-together but not original copper.

 

Leave it on FB.

[paul griff]

Hello Brian,

                   Looks like a scam to me….photo’s of two different tsuka, one genuine in copper the other fake in brass plus saya is genuine type 95 but not for copper version which should have a plug for a drag but of course could be period replacement..

Regards,

              Paul.

[Infinite_Wisdumb]

35 minutes ago, robinalexander said:

Tsuka looks (too ?) good BUT copper numbers finished in mid 6000's not 13000's .

 

So if blade is genuine, it certainly dosnt belong to a copper.

 

Therefore, maybe put-together but not original copper.

 

Leave it on FB.

Well said

[Scogg]

@paul griff Good eye! These DO look like two different tsuka. One being copper that has a mekugi added (not unheard of); and the other being one of the fake brass examples. (or both fake?)
 

Some of the fake brass tsuka examples in particular have pretty convincing #s and stamps. 
 

Too many red flags. When I get home today I’ll compare to my archive and see if I have this one recorded.

Cheers, 
-Sam 
 

Edit: new to my list, but I have several brass tsuka fakes listed in the ~13k’s. Tough call, and if a scam, a convincing one. 

Edited March 8, 2025 by Scogg
wording, and Edit:

[Scogg]

Here's something more definitive. 

 

The copper tsuka pattern 1 Type95s had alternating ito knots at the fuchi like a traditional wrap; wheras this version has mirrored ito at the fuchi. 

The mirrored ito at the fuchi was later adopted for the aluminum pattern 2 tsuka. So this Tsuka certainly never belonged to an earlier blade, and I suspect a scam or a fake. 

I struggled to articulate this. Hope it makes sense. 
-Sam

First two photos from facebook listing.
Last photo with red circles around the fuchi and ito knot transition. 

Edited March 9, 2025 by Scogg