Japanese WWII Type 95 NCO Sword
100% honest and guaranteed genuine Imperial Japanese Army Type 95 Shin Gunto for non-commissioned officers. The Tokyo First Arsenal produced this sword.
This sword has a cast aluminium tsuka (hilt) with a 9mm thick ornate brass tsuba (guard) with pebble finish. The fuchi is copper and the sword is secured in the scabbard by a top latch, all of which identifies it as being a third pattern sword dating to around 1938 – mid 1941. After mid-1941, the tsuba and fuchi were made of unadorned iron. The latch mechanism for securing the sword in the scabbard is re-positioned to the side of the tsuka in later models.
The copper fuchi bears a Tokyo First Arsenal sword maker’s stamp, Tokyo First Arsenal inspection stamp and a Kokura Arsenal identification stamp. The Kokura Arsenal did not produce any Type 95 Shin Gunto but over-saw the production of these swords by the Tokyo First and Nagoya arsenals so its identification stamp is sometimes found on Type 95 swords.
The 67 cm (not including the habaki) machine made blade is in excellent condition with very minor pitting and tarnish consistent with its age and use. The serial number and a Tokyo First Arsenal stamp are clearly marked above the bohi (fuller). The blade has been extensively sharpened (professionally) so that it narrows almost imperceptibly towards the tip. The sharpening has not affected the aesthetics of the blade and is testament to its years of service use. These pre/early war production Type 95 Shin Gunto were carried by career soldiers, not conscripts and were considered by many as a primary weapon. The blade retains its fighting edge.
The cast aluminium tsuka (hilt) retains very little of its original paint – again testifying to its use and service. The tsuka is firm on the tang. The scabbard latch is in good condition and works well.
The steel scabbard is in excellent condition, free from dents and with only minor pitting and rust that appears to be inactive. The sword draws well and is held firmly in the scabbard. The scabbard retains a good amount of its original brown paint. The serial number on the throat of the scabbard does not match that of the blade but this is quite usual. When sent to the armourer for sharpening, swords were often returned without their original scabbard and an active and regularly sharpened sword could go through a number of scabbard swaps during its service life.
Japanese WWII swords are amongst the most copied/faked of all swords and prospective buyers should beware.
This is a great and guaranteed genuine Japanese NCO’s Type 95 sword that was carried by a career soldier, a brave man who would not have considered surrender an option.
