Type 95 Identification

[Canyonero]

I'm interested in buying this type 95 with matching scabbard, but had a couple of questions that I can't find answers to:

 

1. Is it legit? If no, don't bother with 2-4 :-D

2. Does it matter which side the ring is on the tsuka?

3. I gather it's a Tokyo 1st arsenal due to the orientation of the serial number on the blade? For a second I couldn't tell if the serial was 68119 or 67789.

4. I can't find any answer on what the cherry blossom with the line (or "T"?) means?

 

Any other information anyone can provide would be very welcomed.  Also, if you need more pictures of anything let me know too.  Thanks!

[Scogg]

Hi Michael, welcome to the forum! It looks like you have a very nice example of the Type 95 Guntō, and in great condition.

It's absolutely genuine, you're correct that it has Tokyo 1st Army Arsenal inspection stamps. The Sakura flower with line inside is a mysterious stamp, that may or may not be associated with Kōbe Shōten, you can see the similarity in stamps below. For a deep dive into these interesting swords, I recently wrote a document that can be found in the Download section here on the forum. 
Also heres some great resources:
http://ohmura-study.net/794.html
http://ohmura-study.net/957.html


1. Legit .

2. The ring is typically on the other side; but it's pretty common to see them flipped.

3. Looks like 東 68119. (東 = TŌ = 東京第一陸軍造兵廠監督課, Tōkyō 1st Army Arsenal Supervisory Section.)

 

4. See above and below:

Hope this helps,
All the best,
-Sam

	Sakura Ichi	Sakura flower stamp with kanji for ICHI inside. May be associated with Kōbe/Kanbe Shōten. (see next).
	Sakura K (Kōbe)	合名会社·神戸商店, Gōmei-gaisha Kōbe/Kanbe Shōten = Kōbe/Kanbe Shop Unlimited Partnership [神戸 (Pronounced as either Kōbe or Kanbe).

[Bruce Pennington]

The line that causes the Ichi to look like a "T" is simply a dent among the many dents and scratches.