Mark

attendees -- please stop by and say hello to Grey and myself. We will have some special items for sale this year: Heian, Kamakura, Nambokucho, efu Tachi, Juyo, lots and lots of treasures. see you soon mark

The show is just days away. On Saturday there will be a presentation on swords with some great examples (most Juyo) to learn from and at 3 pm the NBTHK-AB will have a display of high quality fittings "Springtime in the Year of the Dragon" as the fittings will show the dragon as well as things that occur, are associated with, or can be seen in spring. Here is a chance to see some wonderful fittings for education and enjoyment. You learn the most from studying high quality items so you learn to recognize them.

Chicago Sword Show April 26-28, 2024 is less than 2 weeks away. Don’t miss it! It should be the busiest show yet, the hotel had to add additional rooms. Free parking. The NBTHK.AB will be doing a great display on fittings with the motif of Dragons and Spring "this years ..year" with some great Juyo and equal to study. There will be a presentation of great blades 600-1000 years old. Buy-Sell-Trade. If you need anything let me know. I look forward to seeing everyone. http://www.chicagoswordshow.com/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064937373977

Ray. Thank you and the link was very informative. Appreciate the help

I think I have seen this before and should know it but maybe having a senior moment. I think the second kanji is Masa. And third looks like Shin any help is appreciated

the usual test is to ask the seller to send a picture with a card/paper with his/her name and contact info in the picture this looks a bit like Sam Young's (samurai Sam) swords but it has been a few years since i visited him. I think he may have passed away but i doubt someone legitimate would be selling things this way mark

Steve Thanks! maybe he is an obscure guy. i was hoping someone may have come across this inscription before. at least i have a start. thanks mark

I have a katana. Suriage and it looks like the makers name is gone but part of the Mei remains. It is dated 1848. So that narrows it down. I am hoping someone can recognize the Mei and know the maker thanks in advance mark

thanks to both for the help. it was challenging, makes sense and time period is right. i appreciate the help mark

Thanks Ray! Piers I posted a changed picture. I will get additional a bit later thanks again mark

i have a tanto. i would have thought it was Shinshinto unless the nakago has been cleaned. The mei seems hard to see especially the last kanji of the makers name all help appreciated!! i think i see Chikushu? JU ??? ??? thanks mark

i believe Robert Hughes member here https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/profile/1318-keichodo/ offers that service. Bob Benson does also

John if you separate them i am still interested in 47th Juyo, 2001 Heisei 13 mark jones

Jon someone else will reply and know more.. but from what i see i think they are registration numbers/info, if the rifle was left in Japan and owned in the late 1800's all firearms had to be registered, the information was stamped on the item. the rifle may then later have been bought in Japan around the turn of the century or even brought back from WW2. I have seen several matchlocks with these stampings