tokashikibob

I also spent time in Bangkok on multiple occasions 10 years or so ago and would seek out the antique shops. The swords I saw were always rusty, usually used as field equipment beforehand and priced incredibility high. If they actually sell the swords for those prices you would be a rich man soon, shipping gunto there to sell. Maybe Burma would be a place to poke around, whose ready to go?

Vlad, How many Russian bring back swords from the July 45 Blitz are usually at the Kiev antique markets? Stephen and I will fly in by next Friday using reward points, Ray probably will too, but on a private jet in 48 hours. Can you pick us up? Best Regards, Bob

Vlad, Superb pictures & awesome sword! Congrats! Best Regards. Bob

Julian, I know I'm swimming against the tide, but you took a WW2 blade nobody in a 100 years was going to spend 2K on to polish and made it a looker. I'm never impressed with a mint WW2 era polish anyway, I'm sure the girls at the arsenal didn't spend many hours on even the better blades we seek and do we consider them togishi? I'm of the opinion these 20th century blades have many polishes left in them and the geometry is for the most part standard on them. A light freshen by caring hands is no big deal. Best Regards, Bob

Sal, Glad to see I'm not the only rusty project collector! Good luck! Best Regards, Bob

Thanks guys! I left before I got to read this board, and I just got back from looking at it in person. Passed on it. I also thought Chinese fake after handling it. Lack of patina, rough grinding. Missing arsenal marks on fuchi. When I unscrewed the handle the nakago was unfinished ground down and a uneven mess. Pretty good blade copy however. The scabbard was way light too. Too bad but it was only a short drive and maybe he'll find a good one next time!

Gents, Looking at this wooden handled job tonight. Any impressions to share before I go see it. I am not spun up on last ditch anything. Best Regards, Bob

Thanks Dave, Will do!

Gents, I picked up a rusty wak which has a cooper tsuba with water staining. Any wipe down tips? Best regards, Bob

For future reference; Arnold's right on the money. MitsuKiyo it is. I found one other Mitsukiyo on the web, Bottom radical is missing on this one.

Gents, Thank you for the help in all aspects. Definitely not 12 mm, measured it at 7.5mm. Did some snooping around and Sesko's koto meikan has a Mitsusuke blade that was the closest match in which the Suke kanji may be what was on this tanto mei with the center rubbed off. Not much on Mitsusuke on the web, does anyone have a comparable? From NihontoClub Mitsusuke ID MIT255 Province Yamato Era Eiwa (1375-1379) ND Active Period 1375-1379 School Senjuin Source Rating Reference/Page Hawley 60 MIT255 Toko Taikan ¥6M 607 Signatures: 大和國光夫 yamato kuni mitsusuke

Gents, Acquired this tanto recently. Yoroidoshi? After doing some reading I'm thinking it may have a shot at late Kamakura maybe Yamato. 26cm from Munemachi. Masame. Lots of kizu but no fatal flaws. It has a old nimei but no way I can guess what the missing radicals may have been. Maybe something looks familiar to the pros. Reserved copper samurai fittings, working man's blade I guess. I'd think it has one more light polish in her for the tanto collector. Feel free to correct and opine. Best Regards, Bob

Neat, That soldier must have had extra cash and expected to swing it around some in the 40's.

Stephen, any time bro. We can hit the chow hall, do some fast roping and the strip clubs. Semper Fi, Bob P.S. not my boat, I don't have one, buy antiques instead.

Me Likey Likey, Stephen! your always saying your broke, Let me give the grunt some cash or Megalodon teeth! Best regards, Bob

I like the look of this piece very unique and robust. Congrats on the purchase!

Congrats! Nice sword!

Thanks for the translation and information fellas. Tsuba's are like a box of chocolates you never know what you are going to get. Barry I did think of you when I got it off as the metal had that quality look that you schooled me on a few shows back when I pull tsuba's out of my bag for expert opinion. Best Regards, Bob

Gents, This is a small thick mokko gata tsuba that is on this wak i purchased recently. http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/19861-auction/ The mei is small and the radicals kind of run together, I thought maybe YASUMORI with my cheat sheets. But am probably in left field. Any thoughts? Best Regards, Bob

Gentlemen, After reading the scintillating discussion on crew gunto, http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/18749-did-any-member-buy-this/?hl=%2Bcrew+%2Bgunto&do=findComment&comment=193179 and seeing a few on ebay in the recent past I was primed when this nihonto popped up. With poor pictures and dirty greasy fingerprinted blade I took a flyer and placed a bid on the WW2 civilian / gunto blade. After it showed up, I began checking for the expected hagire; first impressions where good! Was the address tag to Ms. Colby Bimore? Nope. The handle hasn't been off as it took quite a effort to get it off. Probable Masamune? Nope Mumei However, the blade has quite a lot to look at and think about it's possibilities. One side has a full Muneyaki, the other probably so. Circular tobiyaki with a tight ko-mokume itame mix. Forging is very good without openings or other kizu. The hamon is very wide with much hataraki begging for a stone rub. Yasurime is katte agari. After doing some book work I'm guessing it is a Sue Bizen Sengoku era blade with that wild pattern that was popular back then. Not too sure they made hirazukuri waks often then? I don't think it's Soshu, do you? Turn back in the kissaki is wide full hamon. Thanks for taking a look! Best Regards, Bob

The guy who made it would think it's worth much more than a 50

Thanks for the link to the online comic, things get slow here at work from time to time. They had some nice sharp edges back then it seems.

Interesting to see how far the Chinese have progressed in fakery. Don't think it's a occupied territory piece as they would have done the tsukamaki much better at least.

Stephen, Was Bar Royal on B.C. street or Gate 2? Mamasan may have valuable information in regards to this swords history!

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