Stephen

The only way to tell is have experts look at it. Right now a lot of politics are causing doubt on such organizations. Id wait a while then have it sent to shinsa team for examination. cost around 800.$ better yet just sell me the tanto ) just a joke im MAC at the moment..

Serge this is what Hawleys looks like

Grey check Hawley Kan 2547...also the four stroke count for tomo mid right column, ? stroke to the right insted of the left on the top of inter top stroke to the left...if that makes a diff.

looks good so far, one more please of the full blade sans handle and habaki, one note, looks like someone used metal polish to shine the blade...may be the light on the photo....if that the case be sure to just use a light oil, not to heavy of a coat.

if its his yes, the date i found and i may be wrong is from around 1596, to see how well he did we'd like pix of the full blade, nice shot of the tip and any grain pattern that you can photo.

Bishu Inuyama ju Kanetomo im sure we'd all like to see the rest of the Tanto

http://cgi.liveauctions.ebay.com/1362-1 ... 5fAntiques search in completed shows us what it went for, + auctions house premium, id say he did pretty good.

Yes correct...A+ if you take this all the way be sure to drop back with polish pix. nice find.

Mods when has this thread gone too far???

I think pix of the numbers and stamp would also be nice to see, even thou you can find the Mei on Dr. S great site id like to have yours for my file if you care to email them to me ...hai domo!

also they're in Japanese

Sadly as Brian stated some from the west desire papers with there swords, i was taught to buy the sword (and its workman ship) then not to worry about the mei and papers. I think the papers will hold there value

i think you did well, one of the cleaner ones ive seen. good work.

Herr Reinhard Its been too long, welcome!

how about the US one? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 26_fvi%3D1

Martin if you want to do bank wire to me drop me a line then i can forward ..no fee from me because of the board donation,but also no cost to me please.

Kane for sure, have one on file somewhere

http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/kanji/kanji1.htm

more like Kanesada

also brings to light that Shinsa mills at shows can miss such cracks, did on that sword and as well on mine. Id stand behind Bob 100%.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0315821448 was wondering a thing or two, that common of tsuba to sell at that low price? was the four silver corners added later? anyone bought from this seller? looking at his other auctions at the bottom of the page he has a graph, is he in line as to their condition? any way thought his approach to selling was something different with his layout and you might want to take a look.

a simple one it is, less humor about the state of the worlds economy, were all in a world of hurt, some more so than others but we may all be in the same boat soon. The Mod's have enough to wade thru and keeping tempers in line is becoming less fun for them from what I read. We all have our idios, if we can keep it simple to what its about nihonto wise, all will have alot more fun.

and the beat goes on....and on and on and on. Have it set up like many levels of membership. standard member....too cheap to donate other grades you can use your imagination, using Japanese names or just to make my point metals brass ....10-20$ books ect silver.....25-50$ members ships to JSSUS ect Gold.....50-100$ prints tsuba ect .. Life member....100+ no more need to donate... just a thought, but may be making it too complicated, back in the day we just sent the riches to the Rich's and Brian

Raffle we don't need no stink'n raffle, post the pp address while I'm slightly flushed, if my small donation helps the board and you want to reward me with a small denotation gift, (it happens everywhere), then its not my business how you decide to draw what I win...err...receive from you.

Rich T good show mate, ya shoulda drank that Knobb Creek i sent over, then ya coulda cared less about idoits. Be safe.