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SOLD SOLD (21/04 lAY-AWAY) NUMBER 3234 OF ONLY 7000** Original, Pre WW2 Japanese NCO's 1st Pattern, Type 95 Katana With Solid Copper Hilt, Correct Tokyo Kokura 1st Arsenal Marks Original Leather Cord With Barrel Knot & Correct 1st Type Scabbard & Hanger. - ED 2542 On September 16th 1935 a new sword was authorised for Japanese army NCO’s. 1st type sword hilts were made from solid unpainted copper, later variants had cast alloy painted hilts (see page 183 of Swords Of Imperial Japan 1868-1945 by Dawson). Only approx. 7,000 1st type copper hilt NCO swords were made before introduction of alloy hilt variants. This is an original extremely rare 1st type pre WW2 Japanese NCO's Katana with copper hilt and 1st type scabbard in near mint condition. The sword has the correct solid copper unpainted cast handle with cord sarute loop, quality heavy brass tsuba and scabbard retaining clip which works correctly. It has a superb, undamaged, fullered, 27 ½” clean blade. The blade is numbered ‘3234’ (of 7000) on one side above the fuller together with inspection mark. The copper hilt is stamped with Kokura 1st Arsenal marks (see page 185 of Dawson’s book). These marks are the only combination used on Tokyo 1st arsenal swords. They were also produced under Kokura arsenal supervision. The hilt is fitted with original leather cord with barrel knot in excellent condition with just light service wear. The sword is complete with its original matching numbers 1st type scabbard which has a single hanging ring. The scabbard has original Sage green paint with no damage and just one very small dent in the lower section on one side consistent with service carry. The throat of the scabbard is matching numbered ‘3234’. The tip of the scabbard is correctly without drag and has the correct brass end cap. The scabbard’s hanging ring is fitted with original leather belt hanger which has its original sprung brass clip. The sword comes with descriptive labels from a previous owner which are illustrated and can be read in the images. As well as descriptive information about this sword and 1st type production, the descriptions also indicates that this sword was “acquired following the liberation of Singapore in 1945” (illustrated in the images). The sword comes with a later carry bag / slip with draw cord. The price for this nicely marked extremely rare 1st Type set in near mint condition includes UK delivery. ED 2542
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