Type 95 Military Sword Variations

[Kiipu]

Below is a list of the nine major variations of the Type 95 Military Sword.  These variations are based upon changes in the blade, hilt, and scabbard.  The variations are in order of appearance by supervising arsenal.  Keep in mind that some variations were manufactured concurrently, for example variations 3 & 4, while other variations are unique to certain arsenals or companies.

 

Variation #; Blade; Tsuka, Ito Pattern;    Tsuba:             Latch; Saya;                  Pattern #

Kokura Arsenal & then later by Tōkyō 1st Arsenal (1 to 160,00 Serial Number Range)

1. Fullered;      Copper,      Asymmetrical; Brass, 11mm; Top;   Metal,   Plug;    Pattern 1 (Suya).

2. Fullered;     Aluminium, Asymmetrical; Brass, 9mm;  Top;   Metal,   Drag;   Pattern 2.

3. Fullered;     Aluminium, Symmetrical;   Brass, 9mm;  Top;   Metal,   Drag;    Pattern 2.

4. Fullered;     Aluminium, Symmetrical;   Steel;              Top;   Metal,  Drag;    Pattern 3.

5. Fullered;     Aluminium, Symmetrical;   Steel;               Side; Metal,  Drag;    Pattern 4 (Seki).

6. Unfullered; Aluminium, Symmetrical;   Steel;              Top;   Metal,  Drag;    Pattern 3 (Suya).

 

Nagoya Arsenal (200,000 Serial Number Range)

4. Fullered;     Aluminium, Symmetrical;   Steel;              Top;   Metal,  Drag;    Pattern 3.

5. Fullered;     Aluminium, Symmetrical;   Steel;               Side; Metal,  Drag;    Pattern 4.

7. Fullered;     Wood;                                  Steel;               Side;  Metal,  Drag;    Pattern 5.

8. Unfullered; Wood;                                  Steel;              Side;  Metal,  Drag;    Pattern 5.

 

Jinsen Arsenal (300,000 Serial Number Range)

9. Unfullered; Wood;                                  Steel;              Side;  Wood,  Chape; Pattern 6.

[Kiipu]

Explanation of the Type 95 Patterns

Below is a link describing the eight (8) Patterns, which shows the macro variations with the sword inserted into the scabbard.

Nagoya Type 95 Ver 3 Woohoo!, Post #24

 

For an info-graphic of the Patterns, see the post below.

Questions about "late war", NCO swords, Post #37

[Bruce Pennington]

Sam & Thomas,

I cannot remember who coined the terms, but in days-of-old there was a recognition of the version 2 and 2a, the difference being the the style of seppa.  Is that something in this list?  If not, should it be?

 

Version 2 (old terms)                                                  Version 2a (old terms)

        

[Scogg]

Thank you, Thomas, that’s an excellent list and really helps illuminate some of the changes surrounding the bohi. I also like the symmetrical vs. asymmetrical terminology for the ito.
 

Bruce, I’ve noticed the differences in seppa on a few swords as well, but it’s not something I’ve formally cataloged. The main reason is that it’s rarely shown clearly in photos, and it’s such a minor variation (among so many small variations) that it didn’t feel significant enough to define a new type. I feel the same about the side-latch cutout tsuba on top-latch aluminum tsuka swords. The change is so subtle that it’s both hard to spot and hard to justify giving its own category.
 

I will need to revisit some of my wording and verbiage to make sure my efforts align with previous work. I want to be sure my work is supplemental rather than unhelpful; even if those efforts remain with me as my own references.
Thanks Thomas,
-Sam

 

 

[Scogg]

@Kiipu, I've digested your notes, and edited my list to more closely reflect yours. In addition, I adopted the wording "asymmetrical/symmetrical" and removed the "2a, 2b, 3a" because I had not realized those terms had been coined in the past for other features (Thank you @Bruce Pennington). I think the "Transition" or maybe "interim" identifier is less intrusive to preexisting pattern list. 

Let me know your thoughts.
-Sam

-Copper Tsuka Initial Pattern; plug on end of saya:
Pattern 1 = Copper handle - 11mm Brass tsuba - Asymmetrical ito - Cap but no drag on saya.

 

-Aluminum Tsuka Patterns; drag on end of saya:
* Transition Pattern 2 (Suya) =  Aluminum handle - 9mm Brass tsuba - Asymmetrical ito - punctured ito. ( TO 東 ).*
*Transition Pattern 2 (Gifu) = Aluminum handle - 9mm Brass tsuba - Asymmetrical  ito - adjusted ito around mekugi. ( NA 名 ).*
Pattern 2 = Aluminium handle - 9mm Brass tsuba - Symmetrical ito.
Pattern 3 = Aluminium handle - Steel tsuba - With/Without(Kokura) bohi - Symmetrical ito.

*Transition pattern 3 (tsuba) = Aluminum handle - Top latch steel tsuba but with side latch cutout - Symmetrical ito.*
Pattern 4 = Aluminium handle - Steel tsuba - Side latch - Symmetrical ito -  ( NA 名 ) . 

-Wooden Tsuka Patterns:
Pattern 5 = Wooden handle - Steel Tsuba - Side Latch - With/Without Bohi - Metal Saya with drag - (NA名).
Pattern 6 = Wooden handle - Steel Tsuba - Side Latch - Without Bohi - Wooden Saya with chape - ( HE ヘ , Jinsen).
*Author noted transitional patterns with asterisk*

[Kiipu]

Just a quick note that Variations 1 through 6 are in the order as they appear in the 1 to 160,000 range while Variations 7 to 9 are as they appear in the 200K & 300K range.  So they are not 100% chronological in regards to dates.  Variations 7 & 8 probably preceded Variation 6?

[Scogg]

2 hours ago, Kiipu said:

Variations 7 & 8 probably preceded Variation 6?

That stands to reason.
 

Or perhaps 7 preceded 6. While 6 and 8 were congruent for some amount of time

[Kiipu]

20 hours ago, Scogg said:

Or perhaps 7 preceded 6. While 6 and 8 were congruent for some amount of time

 

After pulling out the records, it is safe to say Variations 7 & 8 predate Variation 6.  Variation 6 only showed up on the last 1,000 Type 95s made by Suya.  Only Suya made a Variation 6.  Last month of production for Suya was March 1945 because of bomb damage.  Variation 7 would date to about May 1944 while Variation 8 would date from June/July 1944.

[Kiipu]

Variations 2, 3, and 4, are akin to the alphabet soup.  This is a result of concurrent production.

 

Conversion Table for Dawson's 2007 book, the Patterns, & Variations in OP

Copper Handled Type 95.            Pattern 1.  Variation 1.

Aluminum Handled Variation #1.  Pattern 2.  Variations 2 & 3.

Aluminum Handled Variation #2.  Pattern 3.  Variation 4 & 6.

Aluminum Handled Variation #3.  Pattern 4.  Variation 5.

Wood Handled Variation #1.          Pattern 5.  Variations 7 & 8.

Wood Handled Variation #2.         Pattern 6.  Variation 9.

Wood Handled Variation #3.         Pattern 7.

Wood Handled Variation #4.         Pattern 8.

 

Dawson, Jim. Swords of Imperial Japan, 1868–1945. Cyclopedia edition. Stenger-Scott Publishing, 2007.

[Kiipu]

Collecting Notes

A collector who only wants to own one Type 95 should look for either a Variation 3 or 4.  A very common sword and thus easier to find in decent shape.

 

For a collector who would like just a small sampling showing the major changes over time, a Variation 1 (copper) followed by either Variations 3 or 4 (aluminium) and lastly a Variation 8 (wood).

 

A beginning collector should focus on Patterns 1 to 6 while an intermediate collector could aim for Variations 1 to 9.

 

An advanced collector might consider marking variations, paint colors, and small changes in parts design within Patterns/Variations.  As this category is currently outside my ballpark, I would defer to what an advanced collector has to say about it.

[John C]

1 hour ago, Kiipu said:

Variations 2, 3, and 4, are akin to the alphabet soup.

So these variations were made concurrently? If made at different locations, how did the numbering work? Were there "blocks" of serial numbers given to each location to avoid repeat numbers?

 

John C.

[Kiipu]

Yes, concurrent production in the beginning.  However, at the end Tōkyō 1st was only making Variations 4 & 6.  The brass crossguard was finally dropped by Tōkyō 1st by Fiscal Year 1944.

 

Blocks of serial numbers were assigned to the different makers by the supervising arsenal.

[Conway S]

17 hours ago, Kiipu said:

 

An advanced collector might consider marking variations, paint colors, and small changes in parts design within Patterns/Variations.  As this category is currently outside my ballpark, I would defer to what an advanced collector has to say about it.

 

There’s so many small details you notice when you start to compare swords in-hand rather than by picture. I just recently noticed the slight variation in the aluminum tsuka. 

 

16 hours ago, Kiipu said:

Blocks of serial numbers were assigned to the different makers by the supervising arsenal.

 

@Kiipu Do you know when Iijima stopped producing? Would their final production have ended by fiscal year 1944 since their swords in the 160,000 range still have the brass tsuba? 

[Scogg]

@Conway S  Iijima stopped producing in March 1945, when American B29s bombed it out of commission. Their last batch switched to steel tsuba around 160075.

My latest observed iijima brass tsuba is in the 159k range on my notes.  

Big thanks to Kiipu, Bruce, and Stegel for helping so much. So many little nuances with the type 95, it can be hard to digest. But it’s very interesting stuff 
 

All the best, 
-Sam 

 

[Kiipu]

Inspection Marks　檢印　Ken’in

The following inspection marks have been observed on the Type 95 Military Sword. They can be found stamped on most of the major parts.

 

Arsenal Final Inspection Marks

小 = Supervisory Section of Kokura Army Arsenal 小倉陸軍造兵廠監督課.

東 = Supervisory Section of Tōkyō 1st Army Arsenal 東京第一陸軍造兵廠監督課.

名 = Supervisory Section of Nagoya Army Arsenal 名古屋陸軍造兵廠監督課.

関 = Seki Supervisory Section of Nagoya Army Arsenal 名古屋陸軍造兵廠関監督班.

仁 = Supervisory Section of Jinsen Army Arsenal 仁川陸軍造兵廠監督課.

 

Factory Inspection Marks

ホ = 1st Factory of Kokura Arsenal 小倉陸軍造兵廠第一製造所.

キ = 2nd Factory of Tōkyō 1st Arsenal 東京第一陸軍造兵廠第二製造所.

ヘ = Heijō Factory of Jinsen Army Arsenal 仁川陸軍造兵廠平城製造所.

社／社 = Old/New characters. Each civilian/private factory under army supervision 各民間工場.

 

Complementary Inspection Marks

Can be used by any factory.

M = Interim or partial inspection mark.

X = Failed inspection mark.

 

Extraordinary Inspection Marks

Can be used by any factory.

◯ = Adopted based upon special incident specifications.

㊁ = Adopted as a clause 2 item. This means it was downgraded but still usable.

[Bruce Pennington]

14 minutes ago, Kiipu said:

X = Failed inspection mark.

Just curious, Thomas, have you seen a blade with this one?

[Kiipu]

No, just on unserialized Type 99 Short Rifles.  All the rest have been observed on Type 95s.

[Kiipu]

Blade　刀身　Tōshin

Blade Notes

Blade Note 1: The early blades had the notches for the habaki aligned. This is the traditional style used on Japanese swords. The lowest observed blade is serial number 857 and the highest is 6320. In addition, there was only one hole for a grommet screw toward the rear of the tang.

Blade Note 2: About the time when the handle was changed to aluminium, offset notches for the habaki were introduced. The lowest observed blade is serial number 7249. The lower blade notch engages with a built-up dam inside the lower part of the habaki. Also, a hole was added behind the habaki for a brass or steel mekugi.

Blade Note 3: The nakago [tang] can be found either marked or unmarked. Occasionally arsenal symbols or company logos are seen. Serial number 6320 has a Kokura Arsenal symbol, while serial 209247 has a Seki Tōken KK logo. The most common marking encountered are army inspection marks. The following army inspection marks have been noted on the tang: 東, キ, ホ, 名, 関, M.

Blade Note 4: Some of the early Type 95s were used by officers and have kanji numbers chiseled into the lower tang.

 

Blade Serial #

The Kokura serial number is read with the blade edge down while Nagoya & Jinsen Arsenal is read blade edge up. Some Jinsens have the first digit overstamped with a 3. The overstamp can be faint or partial, making the first digit hard to read.

 

Blade Inspection Marks

The early Suya made swords did not have a visible blade inspection mark by the serial number. Instead, it was stamped on the tang and thus covered by the hilt. This occurs early on in two distinct blocks of serial numbers.

Kokura & Nagoya used a final inspection mark, either before or after the serial number. On Kokura, it comes after the serial number, while on Nagoya it comes before. In the Nagoya two hundred thousand range, the final inspection mark is occasionally stamped behind the serial number. Jinsen used the Heijō Factory inspection mark. In addition, Jinsen sometimes used an extraordinary inspection mark that will appear either before or after the Heijō Factory inspection mark.

The individual inspection marks can be seen in the “Inspection Marks” section above.

 

Blade Fullers

Blade will be either fullered or unfullered.  The original design was for fullered blades; but, late in the war some arsenals and civilian companies omitted the fuller.

[Bruce Pennington]

28 minutes ago, Kiipu said:

The lowest observed blade is serial number 857

I thought we had some single and double digit coppers observed.  Or, are you saying the earliest observed set of aligned machi were on 857?

[Scogg]

I think Kiipu is speaking of blades that we have seen the tang and machi alignment. Rare to see on the Type 95. For your records, 857 belonged to a friend of mine and has a 東 stamp on the tang. 

Serial number 4 is my lowest recorded. Serial number 71 is the lowest that I've personally observed photos of; and it has the cutout for habaki. But we have not seen the tang or the ha-machi/mune-machi for this blade.
https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/22385-type-95-nco-copper-hilt/

All the best,
-Sam