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matthewbrice

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Everything posted by matthewbrice

  1. Hello Gunnar. I just listed a signed Naval Kai-gunto with sharkskin saya in the For Sale section here on the Nihonto Message Board. It is priced out of your stated price range, but if it helps, I plan to negotiate some on the price. Thanks Gunnar. --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com
  2. This sword is available again. It sold last year, then the collector unexpectedly passed on. His wife sold the sword back to me. Oh, and I noticed my spelling error from my original listing--it is spelled Tenshozan (not Tenzoshan ). Contact me if interested. Thank you! --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com
  3. If you missed out on the swords from the John Plimpton collection when they were for sale a while back, here's a chance to buy one. In fact, St. Croix Blades bought almost 50 of the Plimpton swords--we've just stowed them away to be listed here every so often. THE Japanese Police shingunto sword photographed for John Plimpton's book Swords of the Emperor - A Guide to the Identification of Imperial Japanese Swords, 1873 – 1945. This sword would make an important addition to any Premium collection as it is most likely the, or one of the, best condition examples of the Japanese Police Shin-gunto Sword known. Note the Police badge on the fuchi (handle fitting). The Japanese Police gunto is very hard to find. The cutting edge/nagasa measures 25 5/16". CONDITION: This Plimpton Collection sword is nearly mint. (For perspective, we have only owned two other Police shin-gunto swords--and have seen another one--these swords are almost always is rough condition from heavy carry wear). $2900 shipped (If paying via credit card or PayPal, 4% credit card fee/PayPal fee added to the purchase price). Here is the link to the other photos: https://stcroixblades.com/shop/products/Japanese-police-shin-gunto-sword-from-the-plimpton-collection-premium-condi/ --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com
  4. Price lowered to $3200 here on the Nihonto Message Board! --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com
  5. Some other Plimpton Collection swords will be listed soon. Next is another near-mint sword pictured in the book--a beautiful premium condition/premium paint aluminum handle NCO sword. Many more to go... --Matthew Brice https://stcroixblades.com/shop/Japanese-swords/
  6. If you missed out on the swords from the John Plimpton collection when they were for sale a while back, here's a chance to buy one! In fact, St. Croix Blades bought almost 50 of the Plimpton swords--we've just stowed them away to be listed here every so often. THE Japanese copper handle NCO sword photographed for John Plimpton's book Swords of the Emperor - A Guide to the Identification of Imperial Japanese Swords, 1873 – 1945. This sword would make an important addition to any Premium collection as it is most likely the, or one of the, best condition examples of the Japanese Copper Handle NCO Sword in the world. The sword and scabbard/saya have the matching serial number '871'. CONDITION: This Plimpton Collection sword is nearly mint. $7500 (If paying via credit card or PayPal, 4% credit card fee/PayPal fee added to the purchase price). Free shipping within the U.S. Overseas customers--reach us via the 'Contact Us' tab above to get an accurate shipping quote for your address. --Matthew Brice https://stcroixblades.com/shop/Japanese-swords/
  7. Hello fellow collectors and dealers. St. Croix Blades purchased around 50 of the John Plimpton Collection swords 9-10 months ago. Around half of these swords have been stowed away since I purchased them. I'll be listing swords from this collection periodically over the next months. As you may have read, each sword is the actual sword photographed for the book which comes out hopefully this Fall. So if you missed out on the swords from this fine collection, or if you want to pick up another, let me know. The first sword will is to be listed in about 15 minutes in the For Sale section of the nmb. Thanks. --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com
  8. This sword was discussed in detail on the nmb. Super interesting. Here is the thread: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/40635-translation-help-on-additional-kanji-on-masanaga-gendaito/#comment-419437 1 WW2 Japanese Army Officer's sword made by Masanaga available. Masanaga's given name was Ito Kishinaga. While making swords at the Minatogawa Shrine, Masanaga signed his swords under the name Masakiyo. He also made Special Order swords at a nearby forge. When making swords at this forge, called the 七生刀鍛煉道場 'Seven Lives' Forge, he signed as Masanaga. See photo of the graphic provided by Trystan on the Nihonto Message Board on Ito Kishinaga/Masanaga/Masakiyo. The Minatogawa Shrine was dedicated to Kusunoku Masashige. Before he lost his life in battle in 1336, he uttered the phrase 七生報國 'Shichishō Hōkoku'. This means 'would that I had seven lives to give for my country'. As mentioned above, the forge near the Minatogawa where Special Order naval or army swords were made, was referenced as the 'Seven Lives' Forge. This sword is dated October 1943. The number '17' is stamped on the nakago's mune. This sword has two latch releases. See photo provided from Jim Dawson's book Swords of Imperial Japan 1868-1945 Cyclopedia Editiion. The blade measures 26 5/16" (67.6 cm) (measured properly from the blade tip to the notch in the blade spine). This traditionally-made gendai katana has an expertly water-tempered wavy hamon. This Japanese WW II Army Officer's katana is in 1944 shin-gunto mounts (aka Type 3 mounts). CONDITION: The handle wrap is perfect. The sword locks in the saya, and the lock release buttons function perfectly. The saya is perfect. There are some tiny specks of paint on one side--but the whole condition of this sword is such that it just blends in--the condition is so exceptional. There are two nicks in the blade edge. They are such that they only go 10-15% of the thickness of the hamon. The blade will polish beautifully if desired. But the blade is exceptional without a polish. The temper line and boshi are perfectly healthy. This sword is guaranteed against fatal flaws. $3600 (If paying via credit card or PayPal, 4% credit card fee/PayPal fee added to the purchase price). Here is the link to the complete complement of photos: https://stcroixblades.com/shop/products/masanaga-Japanese-ww2-samurai-army-sword-1944-mounts-minatogawa-shrine/ --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com
  9. Hello Axel. Sorry, the link is above to view all the photos and the full description. Here it is again for convenience: https://stcroixblades.com/shop/products/fine-cloisonne-Japanese-tanto-sword-antique-old-samurai-collection-meiji-pe/ --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com
  10. Here is a convenient link to the site: https://stcroixblades.com/shop/Japanese-swords/ Enjoy. --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com
  11. Exceedingly rare Japanese WW2 Iida mount Army Officer's gendai sword available. This sword is among the most rare of all Japanese military swords. These mounts are referred to as the Iida seal--or the Iida lock, named after its inventor Iida Kunitaro. This exceptional Japanese Army sword would make an important addition to any collection. This sword was made the 2 Million Yen smith, Imai Sadashige. Imai Sadashige earned the title of Sword Forging Teacher/Special Honor Noted Seat at the 1941 Sword Exhibition. Sadashige is featured on page 150 & 151 in John Slough's book, An Oshigata Book of Modern Japanese Swordsmiths 1868-1945. The blade measures a long 26 7/8" (68.3 cm) from blade tip to the notch in the blade spine. The Iida lock is a weather-proofing mount designed to keep water and dirt out of the saya. This exceptionally rare sword would make an important addition to any collection. Information on the Iida (IIDA) lock can be found on pages 168 & 169 of Jim Dawson's book, Swords of Imperial Japan 1868-1945 Cyclopedia Edition. Additional information can be found in Fuller and Gregory's book Japanese Military and Civil Swords and Dirks. The hamon is exceptional--the temper line billows almost all the way up to the shinogi line. Once polished this sword will be a screamer. Sadashige's work is exceptional. Look at the photos of the hamon to see clues of what will be revealed in the blade once polished. The saya is a special lightweight variation--made of lacquer-covered wood. CONDITION: The mounts on this antique Japanese World War II Army Officer's sword are in excellent condition. The blade saw only superficial oxidation--this sword will polish beautifully. I can arrange or provide a referral for polish if the buyer wishes. The Iida lock functions perfectly. Here is the link to the full listing with photos: https://www.ebay.com/itm/363974444219 Available for $400 less than list price if purchased direct via info@stcroixblades.com. --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com
  12. Hello Baba. Yes, I have a 3-day inspection/return policy. Thank you for your interest. --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com
  13. https://stcroixblades.com/shop/products/fine-cloisonne-Japanese-tanto-sword-antique-old-samurai-collection-meiji-pe/
  14. 1 antique Japanese Meiji Period cloisonne tanto sword available. This very fine antique cloissonne mount Japanese tanto sword would make an important addition to any collection. This tanto is unsigned. It has a genuine Japanese blade. Cloisonne koshirae/mounts are difficult to find without damage, most have significant damage—and this one has no damage at all! The fittings on this cloisonne tanto are all intricately hand-carved brass. The blade measures 8 5/8" (21.9 cm) from blade tip to the bottom of the notch in the habaki. $3500 plus postage (and PayPal or cc fee)
  15. The saya has dents from time in combat. The tsuka/handle is perfect. The blade is in wartime polish with no nicks. There are very occasional light surface finish changes on the blade from just the very beginnings of past oxidation. The blade is perfectly straight. The hamon and boshi are perfectly healthy. Was $6400--now $5760 through Sunday. https://stcroixblades.com/shop/products/Japanese-yasukuni-shrine-sword-yasuyoshi-antique-ww2-samurai-wwii-army/ --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com
  16. That's $300 of THE General's tassel pictured in Jim Dawson's Military Swords book. $440 off the Masanaga gendai sword recently discussed in the 'Translation Help' section on the nmb. Masanaga was also a Minatogawa Shrine swordsmith. $22.50 off a Company Grade tassel. $5.90 off a sword care kit. And $640 off! a Yasukuni Shrine sword by Yasuyoshi. Come take a look and the new prices. Sale ends Sunday night. https://stcroixblades.com/shop/Japanese-swords/ --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com
  17. 14 New swords, tassels, etc. just listed. …plus, it’s another ‘Make An Offer Weekend’ on the site! Contact us to make an offer. https://stcroixblades.com/shop/Japanese-swords/ —Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com
  18. Hi Thomas. All I had available to me as a non-Japanese language speaker was google translate. The translation I received there was: Nanao Sword Training Dojo. So reconciling with the Seven Lives Forge alternative explanation--the inscription either refers to Seven Lives Forge...or, to the Nanao Sword Training Dojo? If the inscription does refer to the sword dojo--was the sword likely made as a Special Order for the sword training dojo? --Matt
  19. If anyone would like to see the other pictures of this sword, here is the link: https://stcroixblades.com/shop/products/masanagajapanese-ww2-samurai-army-sword-1944-mounts-type-3-gendai-ties-to-m/ —Matt
  20. You have all been so helpful. Thank you! Ok, so to summarize, Tosho smiths who worked at the Minatogawa Shrine when making Naval swords worked at a nearby forge to fulfill special orders. This nearby forge was called 'Seven Lives' Forge? Or was the forge called 'Seven Lives Dedicated to Country' forge? I certainly may not have this correct--so seeking a clarification if you guys can weigh in. Thanks again gentlemen! --Matt
  21. Hi Bruce. Yes, it is dated. I have attached a photo. --Matt www.StCroixBlades.com
  22. Hi Thomas. Thank you for the translation help! Using Google translate, it appears that 七生刀鍛錬道場 translates to Nanao Sword Training Dojo. Is that what you read, Thomas? As to your question, yes, I just looked at the mune. The arabic number '17' is stamped there. I have attached a photo. Thank you for your help, Thomas! --Matt Brice
  23. Hello. I could use some help with the extra kanji on this sword if someone has time to take a look. Thank you! --Matt
  24. Desirable Japanese WW2 Yasukuni Shrine sword by Yasuyoshi available. This Yasukunito would make an important acquisition for any collection. The blade measures 65 cm (25 5/8") from blade tip to notch in the blade spine. CONDITION: This sword is in wartime polish with not a single edge nick. Thw saya has dents from time in combat. The tsuka/handle is perfect. There are very occasional light surface finish changes on the blade from just the very beginnings of past oxidation. The blade is perfectly straight. The hamon and boshi are perfectly healthy. https://stcroixblades.com/shop/products/Japanese-yasukuni-shrine-sword-yasuyoshi-antique-ww2-samurai-wwii-army/ $6500 obo --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com (If paying via credit card or PayPal, 4% credit card fee/PayPal fee added to the purchase price). Overseas customers--contact me to get an accurate shipping quote for your address.
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