Meiji era cavalry sabers

[Peter Bleed]

Some may already be aware of the interesting brief article by Jim Dickson that just appeared in the last issue of Man at Arms , but it deserves notice by this community. In three pages, “The Japanese Type 32 Ko Cavalry Saber” shows  a couple saber hilts. Two types are noted but not really defined, and there is brief allusion to their history and performance, There are no references. Slam-bam, thank you, mam.

 Is anybody paying attention to these swords? Are they part of Japanese sword history? I’ll bet they are extremely rare in Japan so that if they are going to be addressed, it will have to be based on swords that have survived because they ended up in foreign collections. Should we be treating these cavalry sabers  with more respect and attention?

Peter

[David Flynn]

Japan also, made some Sabre's for the Australian Light Horse, in WW1.  These Sabre's have become as rare as hens teeth. 

[Bruce Pennington]

15 hours ago, Peter Bleed said:

Is anybody paying attention to these swords? Are they part of Japanese sword history? I’ll bet they are extremely rare in Japan so that if they are going to be addressed, it will have to be based on swords that have survived because they ended up in foreign collections. Should we be treating these cavalry sabers  with more respect and attention?

Both Dawson and Fuller's books have sections on the 32's.  I own one of each model, as do probably most collectors of WWII gunto.  I'm sure they can be found in Japan, just as we occasionally see a 95 or officer showato gunto pop up for sale, but they are rare over there, at least publicly.  

 

I'm pretty sure we have one or two guys who like to specifically collect them, but I don't recall who it is.  You will see a few of them pop up in the auctions each month and/or on ebay, so they are around and can be found.  Fewer in numbers than the WWII swords, but not rare.  Prices range around $400-600 USD.

 

For dimensions and a better write-up, see Ohmura's page: NCO Gunto Type 32

[Peter Bleed]

Bruce, 

You are quite correct in faulting me for not having done my research.  Indeed, I seem to have misplaced my Dawson (gee something that big is hard to lose) but I did check the Fuller sources etc and did find mentions. My basic point was to show that research and understanding that has been done by and for Japanese sword collectors seems to be rather isolated from broader popular interest in arms collecting - either in the "West" or in Japan. I have tried to show that the work you have done probably far exceeds anything being done by - or for - Japanese audiences. Now, I will admit that there ain't much of a scholarly audience for for these topics, but you are leading that field. I think we ought to let your light shine.

Man At Arms is the premier antique weapons collecting series. It is NRA sponsored (OMG!) and swings the big maul at places like Baltimore etc etc. But they could publish an article on a topic that largely ignores stuff that is regularly addressed here. Again, we ought to let our (your) light shine.

I'll stop now and try to find my copy of Dawson...

Peter

[Bruce Pennington]

Thank you, Peter.  Looking back at Nick Komiya's pages, I see he did an extensive write-up on the 32: How the Type 32 Sword was Born - Nick Komiya, Warrelics.  If I were to do anything, it would simply be a condensed version of his work.  I tried to find the article you mentioned online, but no success.  Probably have to have a subscription.  If memory serves me, their mag, "Gun Collector" is the one that published my Souvenir Sword article.  Honestly, though, it doesn't seem like they'd publish a second article right on the heels of the first one about the 32.