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 June 14 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 ?.

[Godzilla]

Hello I am new here.  I have a pair of the typ32 , sword and sabre.  I have no idea as how clean/polished these should be regarding the collecting mindset, opinions?  Coming from the same arsenal but with a few differences.  The blades are in very good condition.  The infantry version scabbard, the chrome plating has turned black and has being flaking off over time.  It has had the wood grip replaced very roughly as if done in the field.  In the replacement the spring clip has been left out also the two pins that are on the piece between the grip and guard are missing but still has the leather finger button.  The drag is the altered 32mm.  The guard has four marking which I cannot read except the so called canon ball mark.

 

The sabre only has two marks which quite clear to see.  No leather finger button but the hole has not been filled.  Any advice on cleaning and the marking would be nice.  I got these to go with my Soviet Shashka.  My next plan is to find the Italian 1871 sabre which if I am right was used in the last cavalry charge. 

[Bruce Pennington]

Nice set, Tim.  I actually like that replacement grip.  They did a decent job with it.

[Kiipu]

Note how the crossguard markings are reversed on your two swords.  Swords made at the very end are marked like the one with just an arsenal symbol and one inspection mark.

 

Your Otsu looks to be dated 明四四 1911, reading from right to left?