paul griff

Hello George, That looks like a sword that a dealer in Hampshire had a while back....If my memory serves me right a piece of the leather covering the mekugi had been cut away to allow the hilt to be removed ? The swept back hilt ( tsuka ) in early tachi style and the habaki is a good indication of a nice blade lurking beneath a sword that was prepared to be taken into a combat arena. Regards, Paul..

Hello Dick, Very nice photo’s and again thank’s for posting.. Regards, Paul..

Hello David, Agree with dwmc...Great bit of family history best preserved not restored... Regards, Paul..

Hello, Agree,it’s a fake 100%..The design on the kabutogane is all wrong as is the hole for the sarute...leather looks too thick and new....same has no trapped dirt and looks too clean... Regards, Paul..

Hello, Excellent piece of history and a great find..Thank’s for posting. Regards, Paul.

Hello Akitombo, Agree with above..Don’t use “ weapon” or “sword” in the description...Not to be deceitful but to avoid complications or theft....Have always used the Japanese word for sword or blade and emphasised “traditionally made and over 100 years old ( if it is )”...This accompanied by the correct customs code has always worked for me... Regards, Paul..

Hello, Excellent..thanks for posting...glued to it all morning and done none of my chores...Regards Paul

Hello Dave, Yes,not the neatest of signatures although I like the shape on the nakago.There is one on Gunstar for sale by the same smith...a better value sword in far better condition when compared to the one in this topic.. Regards, Paul..

Hello Michalku, I hate to see people getting “ tucked up “ or should I say ripped off... so be careful on that site..or better,don’t use it until you are a bit more experienced....You get some fantastic buys on the for sale section here and even reputable Militaria dealers will match that price...Only my opinion of course and collecting is a big learning curve.. Regards, Paul..

Hello Chris, Well done,nice research and excellent photo’s as usual. Regards, Paul..

Hello, Very interesting...A lot of effort to make a decorative sarute but the casting is very rough and ill-defined...not your normal attention to detail for Japanese workmanship....Only my opinion of course... Regards, Paul

Hello, Not a total loss..Looks like island made for souvenir hungry troops at the end of the war....The Ito has been added recently but the rest of the bits seem to have some age to them...If you look at the metal fittings they all have the look and patina of “island brass”,same looks old as does the leather and finally the blade is terrible but shaped correctly ie kissaki ( tip of blade )..... Regards, Paul..

Hello, Many thanks to Kyle..Superb items and a pleasure to do business with.. Best Regards and Merry Christmas, Paul..

Hello Ron, Agree with Chris,it’s a real one.I would hazard a guess someone in the past removed the screw,or broke it trying to remove it to look at the tang( nakago ) ...Wouldn’t bother me at all about that aspect..Nice to have the added bonus of the engraving...good bit of history...Altogether a good find.. Regards, Paul..

Hello, Nice photography there Chris... Regards, Paul...

Hello, Thank you Matt...much appreciated.. Regards, Paul...

Hello, Assistance appreciated for the mei on a shingunto.The nakago has a Sho stamp above the signature but not dated.I think I have some of the characters but would appreciate help with the rest. Seki Ju -- -- Kane-- Saku ...... Regards, Paul..

Hello, The first photo is a French 1st Empire Cuirassier Ensemble and the second photo is a Scottish basket hilted sword with a very long Elizabeth 1st blade. The house is full of stuff !.I have tried collecting lots of things but keep coming back to and cannot seem to let go of...shin-gunto ... an "itch I cannot scratch !!! ", Regards, Paul,,,

Hello, Thank’s for posting..Very interesting and very relevant... Regards, Paul

Hello, Nice pick up especially with that hanging chain and bag...Well worth having the tsuba ( handle ) wrap replaced and menuki ( small metal placements) replaced...Most collectors would agree that this is an acceptable restoration...Sorry but am in the U.K so cannot recommend anyone in the U.S but I’m sure othe U.S members have recommendations ....Only my opinion,but nice piece of history as it is.. Regards, Paul.

Hello, As Stephen has said...the smaller of of the two swords “ the old was horse “ is probably left alone and apart from a little bit of preservation is as good as it’s going to get....The larger sword a late war nco’s model is becoming very desirable and a bit of preservation to that blade wouldn’t do any harm... Regards, Paul...

Hello, Agree with above....Beautiful sword for the discerning collector.. Regards, Paul...

Hello Chris, Certainly looks like it would have a hamon....Not bad seeing as mainstream archaeology maintain that the ancient Egyptians used bronze tools to construct fantastic creations that cannot be replicated today.....My youngest son is an archaeologist and he won’t engage in my theories anymore.... Regards, Paul..

Hello, It’s like the law...all in the word..You have to be like a barrister when you describe something...Get it wrong and you loose the case...! You are not alone Alex...A few years ago I left importing something to someone who thought they were doing me a return favour...Big mistake...! Six months or so dealing with the Birmingham hub I finally got it.....That “ Over 100 year old and traditionally made” combined with the correct tariff code have always been my “key” to a smooth process....Being a member of The Token Society and NMB are also very useful memberships when it comes to proving things....Have had to provide “proof” in the past and yes..they did check and to be fair they have always been very fair.... Regards, Paul..

Hello, Yes Barry you can see it’s got a good age to it ... late 1930’s would be my guess for the blade mated with nice quality fittings found at the beginning of the war.. Regards, Paul.