Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original Japanese WWII Type 95 NCO sword with cast aluminum handle, machine made fullered blade, early to mid war brass mokko gata guard, and steel scabbard. The blade is serial numbered 142504 and bears the Tokyo Arsenal inspection marking, while the scabbard throat is numbered 146331. The sword remains in excellent overall condition with strong original handle paint, substantial gilt highlighting, a bright blade, and complete military fittings.

The end of WWII marked the beginning of the sword ownership ban in Japan. By law, Japanese citizens were forbidden to own swords. General McArthur 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. But a small percentage made its way back to the United States and into the collector market.

This lovely example is a genuine WWII Japanese Type 95 NCO Sword or katana, with aluminum handle construction and machine made fullered blade. Blade is 26 21/2 inches long, with an overall length of 36 1/4 inches. The grip wrapping and menuki are cast-formed out of aluminum, and then painted to give the illusion of fabric wrappings and gilt menuki. NCO Katanas were issued to soldiers who did not want to take their family sword to battle or who came from poor families that did not have swords to pass down through the generations.

The design copies the typical WWII Imperial Japanese Army style fittings, known as the "New Military Sword" ( 新軍刀 - shin guntou) style, with a single hanger ring and bolster on the scabbard. It is said that during battle soldiers would not use the ring but rather would stick the sword through the belt the same way as the Samurai in ancient times.

All NCO swords were numbered. This example is numbered 142504, while the throat of the scabbard is numbered 146331. Most swords do not have matching numbers because somewhere along the life of the sword the scabbard was changed. This could either be to to loss, damage, or just being misplaced at arsenal. Next to the serial on the blade is the 東 (To) marking for Tokyo Arsenal.

The Fuchi (grip collar) of the sword is marked with information related to the swords production and inspection. While holding the sword hilt up, the first symbol on the left is a cherry blossom with the numeral 一 (ICHI or one) inside, which is an unidentified maker. To the right of the logo is 東 for inspection by Tokyo arsenal, and all the way to the right is the "stacked cannonball" logo of Kokura arsenal, where the sword was put into arsenal for issue.

The sword is complete with the metal locking spring tab that secures the blade to the scabbard. This prevents the sword from falling when the soldier is running, however on this example the spring underneath is weak, so it no longer works all the time. Traditionally this function is assigned to the Habaki (blade collar). But machine made swords like this one do not have the accuracy of manufacturing that enable the Habaki to perform such a function. The metal loop on the pommel is still present as well, which are often lost.

The condition of this sword overall is excellent, and the blade is also in excellent condition, bright and shiny. We do not see any oxidation beyond some scattered minor light staining, and there is only light scuffing on the surface, with no signs of major cleaning or resurfacing. There are no major nicks or bends on the edge of the blade, with just a bend / dent at the very. It is still quite sharp and should be handled with care. The brown paint on the handle is very well retained, and correctly does not run off the faux "wrappings". There is also still most of the golden yellow paint highlighting on the "menuki" on the grip and on the cherry blossom on the pommel.

The TSUBA (crossguard) is the early-mid war brass MOKKO GATA (木瓜形 - four-lobed quince shape) shape, with large holes pierced in both sides to reduce weight. Later swords would be fitted with simple iron round tsuba. There are SEPPA (spacers) on both sides of the tsuba, which look to be brass. The blade collar (HABAKI) is the standard textured brass. The scabbard is interesting, and looks to almost be clear lacquer over bluing, instead of the usual olive green finish. We do not know if this is how it was made, or a modification. There is now loss of finish in areas, with scattered oxidation, but no major dents or bents. The hanger loop is still present, and the throat is completely intact.

There are some Chinese replicas of these out there, however this sword is definitely genuine. It has the correct arsenal markings on the hilt collar (FUCHI) and blade, indicating arsenal in Tokyo inspection by Kokura Arsenal. The spacers (seppa) are cast and rounded, while the replicas are crudely cut. The scabbard is painted the correct green color, and the spacing from the top to the hanging ring is the correct length. Overall the fit and finish is definitely far above a replica, which can be seen in the photos.

With its serial numbered Type 95 blade, Tokyo and Kokura related arsenal markings, early to mid war brass mokko gata guard, strong aluminum grip paint, surviving gilt highlights, bright blade, functional components, and complete scabbard, this is a strong example of an Imperial Japanese Army NCO sword. The mismatched scabbard serial number, weak locking spring, minor blade staining and tip damage, and uncertain scabbard finish are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Japanese WWII edged weapon, Type 95 NCO sword, Imperial Japanese Army, or advanced military sword collection.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 26 3/8"
Blade Style: Katana
Overall length: 36 1/4“
Scabbard Length: 29 1/4"