Japanese WWII Type 95 NCO Sword with Matching Scabbard
Imperial Japanese Army Type 95 Shin Gunto for non-commissioned officers, produced by the Nagoya Arsenal.
This sword has a cast aluminium hilt with a 9mm thick aoi-shaped brass guard. The hilt collar is copper and the sword is secured in the scabbard by a top latch, all of which identifies it as being a second pattern sword dating from 1938 – 1941. After mid-1941, the guard and collar were made of unadorned iron and the latch mechanism for securing the sword in the scabbard was moved to the side of the hilt.
The copper collar bears a Gifu sword maker’s stamp, Nagoya 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 670mm (not including blade collar) machine made blade is in good condition. It is bright and clean but does have numerous nicks along the edge. The edge is still surprisingly sharp. The serial number: 65830 and a Nagoya Arsenal stamp are clearly marked above the fuller.
These pre and early war production Type 95’s were carried by career soldiers, not conscripts and were considered by many as a primary weapon.
The cast aluminium hilt retains some original paint and is in good condition. The hilt is firm on the tang. The scabbard latch is in good condition and works well.
The steel scabbard is in good condition, without dents or damage. The scabbard retains a good amount of its original brown paint. The metal of the scabbard has the patina of old iron. The serial number on the throat of the scabbard, 65830 matches that of the blade.
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.
