In aged condition, a rare WW2 Copper Hilted Type 95 Japanese Army NCO’s Shin Gunto Sword
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Serial number 4064 with Kokura arsenal acceptance mark to the blade and matching 40(indistinct)4 serial number to the saya / scabbard, copper hilt and copper round chape to the scabbard. This is a guaranteed authentic WW2 Copper Hilted Type 95 (1935 pattern) Imperial Japanese Army Non Commissioned Officer’s Shin Gunto.
Yes, it is in aged / harsh service use condition, but it would be unusual if it were not. Please note: the spring catch is absent (these are sold on ebay com and elsewhere, both priginals and modern replacements – with care, it is a fairly simple matter to fit a replacement), there is a small gap around the tsuba / guard area (common, as the blade works its way loose from the single retaining bolt in the pommel – if fitting a replacement spring catch anway, it should also be possible to correct this too), and the blade has marks, etc.
The 27 1/4 inch (from the habaki copper blade collar recess) blade is in aged condition, with a couple of small nicks to the cutting edge and stress / age marks / some pitting, but is sound. The copper tsuka / hilt is itself in good condition but the spring catch is absent and there is a small gap now around the tsuba / seppa guard area. The saya (scabbard) is good but has lost its war time paint. The sword sheathes and draws well but there is no retaining catch to hold it in position.
Oh my, a super rare type 95 copper hilted WW2 Japanese NCO’s shin gunto! If it were in better condition, it would be worth at least double, perhaps treble. But at was £? (too late, now sold) (non negotiable) and with potential for improvement, it is our bargain of the year. Please quote item reference AI60. Further / full sized images available upon request. Box 2093 98 x 13 x 13 (2.27).
