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I'm sure others will chime in, as this topic has been covered a lot In the meantime, it would be wise to read this article about the old green papers. It's a 'web archive' article, so you'll have to scroll down to the content. https://web.archive....en-papers-no-papers/ Best of luck, -Sam

I probably shouldn’t buy from Japan but it seems to have alot of swords for good prices Also many positions I never bought from Japan before but this one struck my interest its NBTHK certificate with the emperor seal Being a short sword reduces price What I really wanted is a NLF type 44 but it’s hard to find one by Nagamitsu in good condition and doesn’t break the bank Dose anyone know about the dealer? dose he sell decent swords and trust worthy? Steve

Obviously hoping someone has sense at Government and that's never going to be the case, time will tell.

Hello everyone. This is from a nihontou I received from Japan. That being said, is there a..."way" of guesstimating how old a tsuba maybe (other than a mei). As in a rough date range, or at least an era? Thanks. Henry

Oh no! Looks like I'm misunderstanding again.. But this one does confuse me when you click on his page profile it says grandmaster, but on my browser it says moderator

Canada did it with other arms....pretty sure the UK won't hesitate. They already did it with a number of other items.

We have moderators that I don't know about??

And I thought studying blades was complicated and full of nuance Jokes aside - I appreciate everyones input a lot. I am looking forward to getting my Tsuba into the hands of someone more knowledgeable (than me), for an in-person assessment. I wish I could sit down and discuss it with you David, or Jean. If nothing else, I've learned how little I truly know - which is always humbling. @Spartancrest the image in your previous comment does not seem to be working - but I think I know the area you are referring to, upon looking at my original images. I took my Tsuba to my LED light this morning and tried to capture that area. It appears to be indented into the metal, roughly a long triangular shape, and is the only blemish like it on the whole tsuba. It was filled with dust or rust, that darkened when I rubbed it with my pinky finger. + Added some more photos under the LED, Thank you everyone, -Sam

Looking forward to a great show!

Thank you @Soshin, I am less concerned with the downvote itself, and more concerned that I was misunderstood by someone I respect (you). Admittedly, I was taken-aback by a downvote from a moderator, but i'll get over it I never meant to conclude anything in my original post, and your previous comment implied that I was agreeing that this tsuba is cast along with Dan - but I didn't say, or conclude that. At least I didn't intend to. I'm simply too green with fittings to conclude anything here. If I failed to make that clear, that's on me. Again, thank you for the info and especially that link! I always appreciate the help and information, Sincerely, -Sam

Yes, its Fudō-Myōō https://fukoku-kobo.net/html/page1.html

Just to be clearer now i have the time. This has never been a young persons game, well, unless that young person is doing particularly well in life. There's a few on here that i bet are still in their 20s. Some dealers appear to be doing very well, stuff coming in and moving out on a regular basis, Garth Vincent for instance.. What is it you guys think will happen with regards further Government legislation?. could you be more specific?. Are you suggesting that one day all the collectors in the UK will have to take all their valuable antique arms they own down to the police station for destruction? The shipping issue within the UK, i don't see as an issue. Anything of value and folks are willing to travel to see it "in hand", which is the sensible route anyways, Most items that i have sold within the UK, folks prefer to pay cash when they see it. Wont lie, i do have concerns over certain stuff, but not about anything Antique and genuine. I mentioned i sold four knives at an arms show. These were ww2 knives. I sold them because i see them as a bit of grey area with regards shipping only, ownership was not a concern. There is only so much one is willing to own and eventually sell/ship under a worrying future regarding shipping. Shipping swords has always been an hassle, for me the curse of collecting, especially shipping abroad. Perhaps a permit might be a good idea for genuine collectors, rule out all the idiots that pick up swords for no good reasons. Said permit holders allowed to ship their items. Perhaps that's the way to go, don't know. If we are the last of the generation, then so be it. Glad i was one of those that lived to enjoy the hobby. From now on, its a case of cherry picking.

Always nice to have matching numbers of course, but if these are anything like British issued swords, non matching numbers are quite normal, especially if the sword has been back for repair at some point. One positive thing with mis matched numbers, is that they are far less likely to be modern repros, as those nearly always have matching numbers.

A very early example of an original Type 94, with rarely seen features like pinned Kabutogane and Tsuba retained with screws. Original 2nd hanger, gloss Saya, and thick pierced Tsuba. Stainless steel blade is in very good condition, with a only a small ding near the Kissaki. For a non-traditional blade the overall polish and forging are first class. Included is a field grade tassel. Fujiwara Kanenaga was a swordsmith, metallurgist, and artisan who pioneered the usage of stainless steel in Japanese swords during the 1920's & 30's. Below are the best articles available, full credit to Malcolm Cox and Ohmura. http://ohmura-study.net/212.html Mei reads: Fujiwara Kanenaga saku "Taisabiko" 藤原 兼永 作 耐錆鋼 Nagasa: Sori: OAL: Price: 2850usd + shipping

Hi Bruce, Great result with the original tsuka paint, the sales photo's didn't do it justice at all. I will pop a few more saya pictures on for you shortly. Does the mismatch between blade and saya numbers have a detrimental effect on the value, I'm just happy to finally own one to be honest lol. Adam

Nice, Adam! With the new pics, I'd say the tsuka paint looks original. Metal parts certainly have been buffed. Only 1 shot of the saya throat, but it does look re-painted in that shot. Exceptionally early serial number, too, for the aluminum handle group.

Hi all, just received my first Type 95 I ran past you all last week, gotto say it looks even nicer in person. Was a little dissapointed the saya isn't matching serial no but hey ho. Enjoy the pics!

Thanks Stephen! What a great job you have done on cleaning that tsuba! I have included your pictures with a small area of concentrated rust circled on the tsuba shown on the left hand side (since it seems to me that-as in my pictures-the rust has “attacked” a large surface area of the tsuba). Bottom picture is the tsuba rusted, top picture is the tsuba after your great cleaning job (that must have taken some time and patience!). What I am trying to ascertain is how an area of rust (corrosion) looks after the tsuba is cleaned. I have read posts on this forum where I think a member may mistake what I deem as a “casting flaw” for what they think was an area of rust that was cleaned. Yes, it all comes back to cast iron tsuba and yes, I could be totally wrong about if it is a flaw or cleaned rust (that is what I am trying to figure out!). Anyway, I think this is an interesting endeavor and may give some insight into identifying hand forged or cast iron tsuba. It gives this retired old guy something to do! With respect, Dan

There was some variation, Phil, on how to rig a gunto for shoulder/back carry. So, it wouldn't surprise me if yours had a different method. Here's a couple of threads with other examples: Leather Hanger for Type 95 Unusual Leather Covered Saya Thomas' commentary on Mizuno along with the date provided by Nick Komiya (a few months in 1942) are all we know about the company.

A downvote on the message board is just a mark of disagreement based upon the conclusions stated in that specific post. It should not be viewed as any type of personal attack period. All personal attacks are not permitted here. Here is an article I have read years ago about cast-iron reproductions of tsuba made in Japan (cast iron (ksky.ne.jp)). Cast-iron reproduction tsuba with exceptionally large open work designs are weak and nonfunctional as indicated in the linked article. I really cannot be sure 100% @GeorgeLuucas until I examine your tsuba in hand to confirm, but based upon the photos provide it looks to be forged iron tsuba that does show some age-appropriate (for an antique from the Edo Period) surface damage caused by rust that has since been removed and the surface patina stabilized. I once had a cast-iron reproduction of a tsuba that was a convincing fake (it fooled me, the original owner, and the dealer who sold it to me) until you examined it very closely in hand and noticed the weight of (lack of weight) the tsuba you cannot be 100% sure of anything.

SOLD off the NMB. Many thanks to @Winchester (Brian) for his interest and kindness