Dr Fox

Hi Franco Thanks for your explanation. I will have to claim advanced age here, for my inability to fail to grasp this concept. For a collar to move over a large area, and then reduce in size to snugly fit a reduced area, hmmm. I can ponder, but won't argue this point, as you have a case in hand which works. A craft mans magic, which without the skills, I won't understand anyway.

Mark I can't get your point. If the nakago is thicker than the seat area of the habaki, whether one piece or two, the habaki will be a slack fit. This due to it already having had to slip over the unaltered nakago, onto a supposedly thinned blade. See my difficulty here.

http://www.eschenbach.com/products-spectacle-magnifiers.htm Served me well for many years. Note if you don't wear prescription specs, then just use frames without lenses in. Not cheap! But then nothing worthwhile in our hobby is.

Rat one of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs. Well cool!

Interesting Ian, the users of these fire pieces, would be have been aware of the short comings, and would have plan B ready. Black powder fouling was a curse, even into what could be considered 'modern' times. Martini Henry, black powder cartridges and Isandlwana spring to mind.

Decorative only imho. Look at the habaki itself, its purpose. To form a positive stop, which will resist the seppa and tsuba sliding up the blades cutting edge. The wedge shape also acts as a stop, and locator in the mouth of the saya. The sides of which can be roughened (cat scratches) to grip and hold the sword in the saya. A two piece habaki only half fills this purpose. As only the swelled lower part of the two piece, will contact the saya mouth. This could have an effect of blade security, of heavy and long blades. (?)

'Ugly" such a subjective word. The blade edge of the most expensive sword in the world, could be 'ugly', But that of course, depends on which side of the blade you are standing!

"Buy the blade not the mei" "Buy the blade not the bling" You can put a hobo in a silk suit. What have you got? A well dressed hobo.

Adding to this. Barrel flare in the Japanese gun would not be a hindrance, but a help. With the use of a hayago, having this 'cartridge' pre loaded was a boon to assure quick loading, and a steady supply of powder and ball. The flare in the muzzle, will quickly line up the greater size of the hayago, and even if tilted will allow rapid deployment of the ramrod. In modern times a 'starter' fullfills this need. Ball sizes. Powder as was used in the day, would have contained many unwanted additives dirt, particles of the grinding vessel and so on. All these would add to the natural fouling, associated with gunpowder. Especially in smooth bores as it has no where to go. Before many discharges were achieved, the gun would need to be rid of this This could be overcome to some degree, by using a ball of smaller diameter than that used in the clean barrel. But there will be a moment, when nothing but attention, will allow these guns to continue to fire. Guns before the Portuguese influence. China had for some time used bronze barrelled firearms, some of which are known to have been used in Japan. Portugese introduced a much refined firearm, rapidly accepted and copied. This use of iron in manufacture of guns being new, gained its description and was known as 'Teppo' (iron gun). Superior forging marks. Guns, depending on their quality and use, had a nasty habit of letting go. With unqualified attention to detail this was a certainty. Screw breeches had to be tight, metal quality controlled. If guarantees of quality could be given, then fame if nothing else would be your reward. Swords had smiths who were known for their blade quality, cutting tests were signed attestations to this fact. So as in swords, its not impossible to imagine that areas or smiths would boast superior forging for their products.

Just seen the Facebook posting, looks like a reserve was missed, and the seller cant or won't suck up a $1020.00 loss. A disaster all round. I see both sides of this coin, and I would not be happy, being either of these two parties.

Really hoping there is some misunderstanding here, and a decent outcome is near. As an aside is the word 'antique' applicable, in this blades description?.

There is evidence that sport shooting took off big time in Japan. It is recorded that guns in the hands of civilians, were responsible for the reduction of the Oriental Stork. Its not out of reason, to suppose that bling would have appeared. And decorations for personal taste added.

Is that saya long enough???

Hi Piers I also took note of the greater muzzle diameter, and supposed the flare could be deliberate. It would assist as a 'starter' area, for a patched ball. Or assist speed loading. What do you think?

Well done you, very interesting. Same idea here in the UK, where clay pipes are collected. Thanks for that.

Good to meet you today Grev, stay lucky. Denis.

Grev there is a full service cafe upstairs, we grab a table and a cupa.

Grev there will be a few of us there. cheers.

Snakes or as written in Canada skakes... are featured very often in Japanese mythology. Indeed human transformation especially women, do indeed represent both good and evil in these forms. In this case the art and execution of the work, far exceeded any phobias I have. Its spiders by the way. Always your fan Nick.

Check the nakago against any Japanese examples you care to look at. The ito wrap on the tsuka all fold the same way, when they should alternate. Stampings on the tsuba are not right. And that habaki? Show some close ups of the blade, and that can also be appraised. But so far its not good.

This is Dave's table at work last year.

Hi Paul, yes you got it. regards.

Or me! Just viewed a video, London dealer handing over a katana to a customer, cutting edge first. Then the customer drawing one of his own blades from a shira saya, on its side! Or am I just being pedantic?.

This sword came to you abused, misused and far from its previous appearance. Your plan stands you in good stead. Keep it safe.

Spot on Peter regards.