Picked up a Type32 Otsu

[Scogg]

Found this at a militaria show for a great price, and decided to add it to my collection. I know a little bit about these and have read all the ohmura material. Saya number does not match. Can anyone put a date on it based on the stamps and serial number? 
 

Otherwise mostly just show and tell! Enjoy! 
Neat sword. 
-Sam 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

That's a nice one, Sam!  Be careful with putting your finger in the leather loop.  I have one that broke on me after doing it a few times.

 

Some of the stamps can be dates, but I don't think yours are, just inspection marks.  I could be wrong, though.  Best to wait for @Kiipu, or one of the other guys that study these.

[Scogg]

Thanks Bruce! The first thing I did when I got it home was gently apply a thin layer of antique leather conditioner to the leather loop. Hoping to rehydrate and strengthen it a bit so it lasts another ~100 years.

 

It’s a nice addition to have next to my 95’s. A nice visual aid to help tell the story of the inception of the Type 95 sword. 
 

Now I just need a copper that won’t break the bank; and maybe a Ko to keep the Otsu company.

 

I’m sure I can think of more swords that I want too 

-Sam 

 

 

 

[Kiipu]

4 hours ago, Scogg said:

Can anyone put a date on it based on the stamps and serial number?

 

The early Otsu Type 32's were undated.  Later on, a date was added above the arsenal symbol.  The earliest dated 乙 [Otsu] I know of is serial number 66604, dated 明四〇 [1907].

 

Based upon the serial number of 63703, I would guess it was made sometime during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905.

 

As Bruce already indicated, the "stamps' are final inspection marks.  One of which seen is 田.

[Kiipu]

Also, the late Nick Komiya has some threads about the Type 32 Military Sword.

How the Type 32 Sword was born

&

System Kaizen behind the Type 32 Gunto production of the 1930s

[Kiipu]

Can you measure the scabbard drag thickness for me?

Also, does the scabbard throat have an extension lug or is it flat?

[Scogg]

Thank you so much Thomas! Very cool. 

You’ve been a huge help. I owe you big time. 

-Sam 

 

edit, just saw your request. Stay tuned

Edited Saturday at 07:21 PM by Scogg

[Scogg]

[Kiipu]

Thanks Scogg.  The drag thickness is 36mm and the scabbard throat is flat (versus having a lug).  In my experience, the flat scabbard throat is more uncommon.  You will learn more about why I asked these questions when you have a chance to read Nick's threads.

 

As a general rule, the following blade and scabbard information is needed when reporting a Type 32.

 

Blade

Length (Version): 甲 Kō or 乙 Otsu.

Serial Number: Sequential serial number starting at 1, stamped in Arabic numerals.

Fullered: Yes or No. (FYI, all are fullered but I ask anyway.)

Finish: White, Blued, Black oxide, Painted black, or ?.  (They all started out as white.)

 

Saya

Serial Number: Original serial number, rematched SN, mismatch serial number, none, ?.

Scabbard Throat: Extension lug, or Flat, or ?.

Drag thickness: in millimeters.

Finish: White, Blued, Black-oxide, Painted black, Chrome, Textered, or ?.