Additional WW2 Sword pics-looking for any information on sword

[Snpr41]

[Scogg]

Hi @Snpr41,

 

Because of the presence of what looks like a SEKI stamp, I’m going to relocate this discussion to the “Military Swords of Japan” section.

 

The scabbard looks like it was originally for a Type 95 gunto. Does it have a serial number near where the blade inserts? 
 

Best of luck,

-Sam 

[John C]

Not sure of the name Kane something - shige perhaps?

It's dated showa 17 (1942).

 

John C.

Edited August 8 by John C

[SteveM]

兼武　Kanetake

[Bruce Pennington]

Thanks for the extra photos, John!  It's an interesting piece.  You said your grandfather fought in the Pacific.  Any more info on how or when he picked this one up?

It's a mish-mash of sword parts.  The blade was made in 1942 for the war.  Normally it would be an officer's blade, but the saya (scabbard) is from an NCO sword.  The hand guard, or tsuba, is civilian, and the handle was made by a G.I.  There is a discussion of the practice of G.I.s taking plexiglass and making handles for fighting knives (wish I could remember where I read it.  Gunboards, probably), and this appears to have that same look.  So, the rig, in total, looks like something put together by a G.I. who had a blade and found parts to make a completed set.

 

For all your swords, I recommend reviewing this link: Sword Care Guide

[robinalexander]

5 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

You said your grandfather fought in the Pacific. 

Hi Bruce, did I miss something somewhere?

 

Can't see any reference to this in the post.

Edited August 8 by robinalexander
It's OK....found it on another related thread.

[Scogg]

Bruce is likely referring to this users other post where he mentions his grandfathers service 

 

I considered merging these two threads, but the other looks like it highlights a Nihonto, and this one a showato

 

https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/56383-ww2-swords-in-the-family/#comment-591194

[Snpr41]

 My grandfather served with the 96th Division and fought in the Philippines, Ryukyus, and finally in Okinawa. He brought back these swords, a mint Japanese paratroop take-down rifle, a Nambu Pistol and Holster, a Japanese Royal Marine helmet and a few other items along with money. Along with these, i have some never before seen combat pictures, presumably showing a couple of these items, and additional pictures of the Japanese surrender party arriving in Okinawa and some never-printed pictures (seen) of Gen. MacArthur.  If memory serves me, the handle in sword #1, is a handmade by him and one that had been fabricated out of plexiglass from a downed Japanese fighter, but i cant be sure. i am also attaching a couple more pictures showing a stamped number on the scabbard. I believe it reads #41354. The story behind this particular sword was that he recovered it from a downed Japanese transport plane carrying Japanese marine paratroopers that crashed around the Shuri mountain range were he and his company were engaged in combat.  the sword was badly damaged in the handle area. later in the battle he took the damaged handle of off and kept the rest. This and the other items that i mentioned were brought home after the war along with a piece of plexiglass (no sure why?) and started to fabricate the handle. Before he passed he gave me everything, but i never (regrettably) got the full story on the other items in my previous pictures. 

 

 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Thanks for the story about your grandfather, John.  Yes, aircraft plexiglass is what the other handles were made of, too, that I had read about.

 

Don't know what to think about that saya throat.  Sam may have some thoughts on it.  The hole for the latch isn't shaped like the examples I have and have seen.  Here are 3 of mine.  You'll see they are pretty square.  Only the one on my copper handle is a little round at the top:

 

Copper                                                      150557                                                                            92605

      

[Scogg]

My copper has a distinct rounded shape. My early aluminum (Variation#2) with unserialized unit armor replacement scabbard, has a slightly rounded shape like Johns above. My others are more square. 

Here is a rare Variation#2 Iijima with a slightly rounded opening as well:
https://www.ima-usa.com/products/original-wwii-Japanese-army-type-95-nco-katana-sword-with-leather-cover-and-matching-serial-numbers?variant=29377861288005

Here's a very near Tokyo scabbard, SUYA #40961 with rounded opening:
https://www.ima-usa.com/products/original-wwii-Japanese-army-type-95-aluminum-handle-nco-katana-matching-number-40961?variant=39595377360965

I have begun collecting data on this, but I do not have a large enough sample size to make a good determination on the opening. I suspect, like many things Type 95, it's more complicated than meets the eye and depends date, range, contractor, arsenal or some combination. I'm seeing a pattern develop but nothing concrete yet.

Best,
-Sam

[Snpr41]

Thank you for the information. Any idea what the marks are on the handle of the sword itself? I’ll dig out some of the pictures that presumably show the sword almongst the wreckage of a plane. 

[John John]

20 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

Thanks for the story about your grandfather, John.  Yes, aircraft plexiglass is what the other handles were made of, too, that I had read about.

 

Don't know what to think about that saya throat.  Sam may have some thoughts on it.  The hole for the latch isn't shaped like the examples I have and have seen.  Here are 3 of mine.  You'll see they are pretty square.  Only the one on my copper handle is a little round at the top:

 

Copper                                                      150557                                                                            92605

      

Are the serial numbers only on the swords with the metal handles?

[Bruce Pennington]

6 hours ago, Snpr41 said:

Any idea what the marks are on the handle of the sword itself?

Not sure what marks you mean.  The writing is 兼武　Kanetake, the sword smith; and the date - 1942.

[Bruce Pennington]

3 hours ago, John John said:

Are the serial numbers only on the swords with the metal handles?

Type 95 NCO swords were the only ones that had serial numbers on the blade and saya throat.  You will find stamped numbers on the nakago of various navy and army officer swords, but they are hidden in the tsuka (handle) and not visible when worn.  

[John John]

3 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

Type 95 NCO swords were the only ones that had serial numbers on the blade and saya throat.  You will find stamped numbers on the nakago of various navy and army officer swords, but they are hidden in the tsuka (handle) and not visible when worn.  

Thanks Bruce, good info.

[Nazar]

3 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

Type 95 NCO swords were the only ones that had serial numbers on the blade and saya throat.  You will find stamped numbers on the nakago of various navy and army officer swords, but they are hidden in the tsuka (handle) and not visible when worn.  

 

Type 32 and Type 25 have serial numbers on the blade and saya drag. However, they are not "katana like looking".

[Snpr41]

4 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

Not sure what marks you mean.  The writing is 兼武　Kanetake, the sword smith; and the date - 1942.

Yeah that’s what I was wondering one of the others has been identified as “Hirotaka”. 
thanks for the information. I’ll be putting hang tags on both. 

[Snpr41]

Thanks all for the response.