Wwii Japanese Sword Serial Numbers
Thanks to their use in movies and television, the samurai sword has become a household name. The end of WWIi marked the begining of the sword ownership ban in Japan. By law, Japanese citizens were forbiden to own swords. General McCarthur did not want the general population to be able to arm again. Most soldiers and citizens surrendered their swords to the American occupying forces. The Americans destroyed a large number of swords by dumping them into the ocean or by melting them.
WWII JAPANESE ARMY NCO SAMURAI SWORD - KATANA - #7 - The NCO swords were introduced on September 16, 1935. These swords were machine made and came in six different variations. However, two of the variations were not officially recognized by the Japanese Imperial Army. All swords were marked with a serial number on the blade and the scabbard. In good condition, a WW2 1935M (Type 95) Japanese NCO's katana / shin gunto, matching serial numbers, complete with sword knot and original carry bag. Apart from the matching serial numbers on the blade and saya / scabbard throat, the thing that really makes this WW2 Japanese NCO's shin gunto so appealing is the original carry bag. These swords feature a prominent serial number stamped on its blade, scabbard, saya and tsuba. A shin-gunto with matching serial numbers on its blade, tsuba, saya and all other Japanese sword parts (Samurai sword parts) is usually priced no less than USD 750.
JAPANESE MILITARY SWORDS - I JAPANESE MILITARY SWORDS I SHIN-GUNTO SWORDS Shin-gunto, army officers swords, are the most common style of sword mountings from the World War II era. There is an enormous difference in quality of both blades and mounts of this period. Many, perhaps most, of the blades found in shin-gunto mounts are NOT traditionally made swords. Many are machine made and therefore are of interest only as military relics, not as art swords. Some blades made during the war period were handmade but not by traditional methods. These are classified as either Showato, Muratato, Mantetsuto, Hantanzo or Yotetsuto depending on method of production. There were swords made during this period that were made using traditional methods; these are termed Gendaito or Kindaito.
Normally, the chrysanthemum on these rifles was overstamped with the Koishikawa (Tokyo) / Kokura Arsenal symbol or a ring of small circles to indicate that the rifle no longer belonged to the Imperial Japanese Army. Rifles given to schools often have an additional character stamped on the top of the receiver between the chrysanthemum and the type designation characters. Most of these 'school-marked' rifles also have two or three zeros preceeding the serial number.
If you have an interest is seeing other Japanese Samurai swords, you can do so by going to our identification guide. Where we cover Samurai swords from all periods.
Many of the better WW II era swords will show prominent grain (hada). Does the blade show a true temper line (hamon)? Replica swords and many WW II era machine made swords have an etched temper line, not a true temper line (hamon) made by differential tempering of the blade. Examine the hamon with a magnifying glass.
From the research I have done, I think this is an 'Initial Type' NCO sword with alumium handle and brass guard. The blade is so-so, but it is what it is! I paid $450 for it, so I hope I didn't overpay too much. These things seem to keep going UP UP UP in price! I tried to get the handle off to show the tang, but I couldn't budge it and I did not want to risk breaking it.
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It is widely believed that in the 1950’s there are more than a million Japanese swords in the US. Some have been sold to collectors, some became heirlooms, and some might be tucked away in the attic or basement. All of these swords have one thing in common; they’re highly valued in the sword collecting market. How do you determine the value of an old Japanese military sword? Finding out the value of an old Japanese military is like an academic pursuit.
But you have to consider the appraiser’s fee. If you’re convinced that the sword is of great value, it’s best to have it checked by a Japanese sword appraiser.
Biohazard umbrella chronicles jpn iso wii italy. There is no historical documentation that ninja used swords which were of a special design or differed from those used by other Japanese of the period. Any so called 'ninja sword' is pure fantasy.
The number was stamped at the top of the throat. A single suspension ring is found just below the top section. A drag is located at the bottom. The top section also has an opening to the side where the locking latch engages when the sword is inserted into the scabbard. THE TSUBA The tsuba ob the NCO swords is normally a completelly solid design. The tsuba shown here is a much more ornate and thinner example and is constructed from brass.
It has no particular significance besides. Your sword is unfortunately not in as good condition as the sword in that older thread. Notably there is moisture-caused greyish corrosion around the tsuba and fuchi, and the aluminum hilt colors are wearing down a bit. It still has value to militaria enthusiasts / collectors, for its role in WWII and for being a mostly-complete package. As to how your grandfather picked it up, I am assuming he was a WWII vet? During the postwar occupation all weapons including swords were banned and confiscated. GIs were each permitted to take a number of swords from the warehouses and it was a popular souvenir as you might imagine.
Has too much wear and patina (in my opinion) for it to be a fake. The number on the scabbard matches the number on the blade and I think it's a pretty low number too.
The aluminum handle is a standard feature. It is not a late-war feature.
NCO means 'non-commisioned officer'. These swords were issued to NCO's that didn't have a 'family' blade, or couldn't afford to buy a good blade.
The markings on the handle, just next to the guard, indicate which factory it came from. In particular, the one that looks like 4 circles (as I recall, it is Koishikawa, Tokyo). The value is probably 'a few hundred $$', but it only has value to a 'militaria' collector. It is not a 'Nihonto' (traditional Japanese sword).
Sword canes (Shikomi-zue) mostly have very low grade blades. Most sword canes were produced in the late 19th Century - early 20th Century. The blades are very straight and thin and often have significant flaws.
The example displayed on this page is the aluminum variation. The sword was also issued to officer candidates on September 17, 1940. This page is a recognition and identification guide for Samurai swords. Multiple detailed photos of a specific sample are provided.
Greetings all! My name is Cameron and I live in Tacoma, WA. I posted on this site a few years back when I accidentally bought a few fake World War 2 swords.
These take that shape of various dragon figures, Japanese peasants, fish etc. - all carved and painted wood figures. The blades in these items are all 'soft steel' and have etched temperlines (hamon). Many will have some type of engraving, usually floral, on the blade. These items are of no interest to Japanese sword collectors. Bone tanto and swords (see below) fall into this group.
It is disturbing that your 'source' was willing to tell you such big lies. Also, be wary of anyone who claims that they can 'restore' a Japanese sword. Almost nobody outside of Japan is qualified, despite what they might tell you (there are 2 or 3 exceptions).
When ANY doubt exists as to the authenticity or age of a Japanese sword, seek advice from a reputable collector. There are numerous in many cities. Contact one of them for assistance.
Grain does not determine age. Many of the better WW II era swords will show prominent grain (hada). Does the blade show a true temper line (hamon)? Replica swords and many WW II era machine made swords have an etched temper line, not a true temper line (hamon) made by differential tempering of the blade. Examine the hamon with a magnifying glass. A real hamon will show tiny dots/specks (nioi and/or nie) along and between the border of the hamon and the rest of the blade.
The other variation of the late 1944 swords has either a light brown or a tan iron scabbard and light brown or green wrapping (ito) over cloth. Blades found in these mountings are invariably of low quality and are machine made. By 1945, there were numerous 'desperation' end of war varieties of shin-gunto being produced both in Japan and in the areas of Japanese occupation.
Japanese Sword Serial Numbers
Each type of gunto has its own worth in the market as each has a corresponding value on the collecting market. • Kyu-Gunto swords are easily identified by their resemblance to the Western military swords. These old swords have chrome-plated scabbards and wrap-around hand guards. Kyu-guntos come in both hand-forged and machine-made varieties. The presence of a wooden peg (mekugi) on the hilt of the sword means that it’s hand-forged and will be valued no less than USD 1,000.
JAPANESE MILITARY COLLECTIBLES REFERENCE - SAMURAI SWORD 7 - WWII MILITARYITEMS.COM SAMURAI SWORD 7 - WWII • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The NCO swords were introduced on September 16, 1935. These swords were machine made and came in six different variations.
These are the kyu-gunto (old military sword), the kai-gunto (naval officer sword), shin-gunto (new military sword) and NCO shin-gunto (new military sword for non-commissioned officers). Each type of gunto has its own worth in the market as each has a corresponding value on the collecting market.
Arsenal stamps do not appear on pre-1930's blades. There are stories that the small papers between the handle wrap (ito) and the rayskin (same') are prayer papers to protect the soldier in battle. This is pure fiction. These are simply paper spacers to aid in positioning the wrapping properly on the handle. DO NOT UNWRAP THE HANDLE!
Wwii Japanese Sword Serial Numbers
There were swords made during this period that were made using traditional methods; these are termed Gendaito or Kindaito. Some of the smiths making traditional swords during the war era are the Yasukuni Shrine smiths, those of the Gassan School, Chounsai Emura and Ichihara Nagamitsu among many others. Swords with stamps on their nakago (tangs) were made using non-traditional methods or materials, possible exceptions being some gendaito which bear star (Jumei Tosho) stamps, although this too is debated. (Check the list of for some of the major smiths making swords by traditional methods during the WW II period.) Some WW II era sword companies used specific logo on the scabbards and/or koshirae which they made or sold. These do not necessarily indicate that the company made the sword. Some of these logo are simply of shops that sold swords during the war.
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