OldGlass53

Thanks to all for your prompt and precise responses on this tsuba. Extremely helpful insights (and it's gratifying to know that my instincts weren't totally off-base). I apologize for the fact that the posting did not show my real name, which is "Bill N". This is my first post on this forum, and I don't know how to post so that my real name shows up! (I thought it would automatically show up as "Bill N" since this is how I filled out my registration.)

Is there ever any way to tell whether a tsuba is genuine or fake just by looking at photographs? The item found via this link http://www.ebay.com/itm/260940612023?ss ... 1423.l2649 seems "right" to me. It is not "pretentious," it has the copper repair in the correct place, the aesthetic is pleasant, it appears to be made out of forged iron rather than cast, it appears to have pitting in the iron consistent with age. Surely there must be at least some genuine tsuba for sale on the internet other than items found on the websites of high-priced dealers. Any thoughts?