Stegel often points this out, not just because of his extensive records, but because of his extensive experience. Sword components from various subcontractors are not universally interchangeable and it absolutely is possible to tell when a sword used mismatched components. My point being that there is no perfect checklist to identify a fake so you must be very aware of that before you start to label a sword, especially when it is a sale that a stray comment could derail. Swords were refurbished, so expect changes there. Colours/shades used in paint changed, so expect differences there. Stamps changed so expect differences there (there are several distinctly different Kokura 'cannonball' stamps). I'm sure was turn-over of workers and some degree of the process was manual, so expect differences there. Materials used in construction changed, so expect differences there. Quality varies throughout production and subcontractor, so expect differences there (none more so than Iijima). The components of 95s were made by several subcontractors, so expect there to be differences there. It is just something that you get with experience and exposure to a large number of swords. There is an overall 'feeling' to swords that I have previously mentioned which I can't really explain. There may be no obvious or apparent issues, but the sword may be a well made reproduction and aged into a fake. There may be several 'issues' with a sword, but that sword will still be entirely genuine. Small differences may appear to a novice to be a tell-tale sign of a 'fake', but it is important to consider the sword as an overall before passing any judgement. The original thread is gone and buried somewhere and this seems a natural place to re-post, since it is an educational thread intended to assist newer members of the community. I thought it would be a good idea to post a few old pictures of mine where I highlighted the considerable differences between Type 95 swords. Happy to hear otherwise if I've missed anything. It's a bit weird and airy-fairy I know, but this sword looks fine to me. feeling? Intuition? When you see a lot of 95s you just kind of subconsciously pick the fakes. To me, the patina looks good on the fittings and painted areas, colours are good, serial range is good, no issues with the sarute, fuchi stamps are good and deep on a brass coated steel, great habaki fit. What I'm getting at is you need to consider the sword as a whole. Iijima also had the greatest variation in quality of all the subcontractors (IMHO). The bohi does vary in depth and width, and the termination points, while typically a rounded scoop, can also be that narrowing 'flicked slope' look. I suspect the main reason you are thinking this a repro is the bohi shape. I can't see any of the usual Polish issues. The saya paint is disproportionately preserved compared with the handle, which doesn't really matter as it has signs of old wear, just not in the usual hand area (just below the suspension ring).
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