The Type 95 shin guntō (九五式軍刀 kyūgō-shiki guntō) released in 1935 was designed for use by non-commissioned officers (NCOs). All NCOs’ swords had machine-made blades with deep fullers and a serial number stamped on the blade in arabic numerals. Initially the hilts were cast out of metal (either copper or aluminium) and painted to resemble the traditionally produced items on the officer’s swords.