Japanese Type 95 shin gunto real or fake?

[Ralfy1981]

I have a chance to buy a very nice type 95 NCO sword for a good price but I'm a bit wary of fakes. It looks correct but there's one thing that worries me. I'm a novice when it comes to this but I do my research. The makers mark on the left is not one I've seen and isn't there supposed to be the exact character next to the serial number? The serial number itself strikes me as a bit high as well. Can anybody authenticate this sword or give me some more info on this mark? I can't figure out how to post pics of it but I can email them if anybody can help me.

[CED13000]

hi
to help Ralfy i put the pictures of the katana

[RussellM]

Looks like a fake to me.

Regards

Russ

[RussellM]

The seppa is awful, the stamps on the collar are bad, the stamp on the blade looks new, the placement of the suspension ring on the scabbard is too low, the handle doesn't look good at all.

Regards

Russ

[Ralfy1981]

This is what I was looking for...I had a gut feeling it was a fake. The dealer is very reputable and I'll let him know asap.

[Stu W]

I'm not so sure it's a fake. It appears to me to be a 100% post war reproduction made in any one of a number of countries other than Japan.

Regards,
Stu
PS: What can I say, too much time on my hands.

[BruceP]

There were only 6500 or so copper handled Type 95s. The serial number is way too high.

[Stu W]

There were only 6500 or so copper handled Type 95s. The serial number is way too high.

And that's brass not copper. The copper tsuka models are quite distinctive when viewed in hand.

Regards,
Stu

[BruceP]

And that's brass not copper. The copper tsuka models are quite distinctive when viewed in hand.

Regards,
Stu

True! There were NO brass handle 95s. This is probably an effort to immitate the copper handle.