Opinions on Type 95 sword

[boristhepig]

Hi
I am thinking of purchasing my first Japanese sword, I believe it to be a Type 95 NCO`s Gunto from the WW2 era matching numbers to blade and scabbard. I would appreciate some opinions to its originality it looks good to me but never having owned one I appreciate I have a lot to learn, as I am aware there are many pitfalls in buying this type of sword.
Thanks in advance Terry

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[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Looks great with the Kokura marking. Just purchased my first shin gunto. My blade may be in slightly better condition (no nicks) & missing the lanyard hanger but numbers matching. My scabbard har a lot more of the original green finish. Paid $400 US which I thought was a pretty good deal ve the prices on e-bay. Hope this helps.

[burb1989]

From what I've seen everything looks great from my end. I have a type 95 too but it's later than yours in about the same condition. I got it as a gift from the son of the marine who brought it home from the war. None of his kids wanted it and he couldn't repatriate it back to Japan so he gave it to me to preserve.

[boristhepig]

Hi
Thank you both for the feedback, looking at hooked on history sword for $400 makes the one I am looking at for £400 or $600 seem I bit on the expensive side, but these swords are a bit thinner on the ground in the UK and I know they command a higher price here. But now not sure if I should hold out for one in better condition

Thanks Terry

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I like the patina. As long as it is sound and does not look like someone ground the edge and used it to trim hedges post war if the price is right I would not hesitate.

[burb1989]

$600 sounds fair for a sword in that condition across the pond. I think Japanese stuff in general might be rarer over there since a lot of the vets in Britain fought in Europe instead of the pacific. That's not to say that there could be a vet from the Burma campaigns or somewhere like that living amongst you guys.