Michaelr

Thank you both very much. Piers the bore looks to be about .73” or 1.85 centimeters. Jan I added some pictures of the pan and cover, with some other marks by the pan. Also a picture or the marking on the bottom of the stock, in front of the trigger guard. If either of you need any other pictures please ask. I am going to start another post with what I think may be a form of Hiya zutsu (? ) that you might find interesting and any information on that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you both again. MikeR

Hello all I am very new to the Tanehashima collecting I am asking for help with a couple, what I think are interesting pieces. First is a short rifle, large diameter barrel and bore. It looks like the barrel is held into the stock with copper bands and a large head type screw down by the trigger guard. The trigger guard is made of iron as is the ram rod. It has some writing on the top of the barrel back by the breach and what appears to be a family/clan mon on the stock. Included are some pictures but if you need any others I will be happy to try and get them. Thank you in advance. MikeR

Hello all. I am looking for a copy of the elusive book “ TheSchool of Hizen TADAYOSHI 1598-1871 “ by Roger Robertshaw. I know they are very hard to find but just thought I would put it out there in case someone is done with theirs and would like to pass it on to a nice guy. Thank you in advance MikeR

Ice job John. Looks great. Thank you for sharing MikeR

First day of the show was a great day. Great show, Great people and a lot of Great swords. Sold a few things, purchased a few things. Sent 4 swords into Shinsa and all 4 passed, pretty happy. Thank you Mark for another GREAT SHOW. I am looking forward to the next two days MikeR

Hello all, the first day of the show was a good day. I met some friends from the forum and it was good to see all my show friends from last year. I saw a lot of pink slips from the Shinsa room and a bunch of unhappy faces but as for me I am grinning ear to ear- 4 in and 4 passes. Tomorrow will be the big day and I will see if I can get some pictures to post for those unable to attend

I will be there with one table, mostly books and a few other items. I think this is my 6/7 show and I am sure it will be another great show. Great show with great people. See you there

Justin, welcome to the best board, with the best people for help whit Japanese swords. Like others have said it looks like you have a nice straight type 95. This will probably not be your only or last Japanese sword as they become very addictive. Good luck collecting and have fun. Next purchase should be some good books. They will probably cost more than some swords you will see but worth every penny. MikeR

Hello Brian and congratulations. It’s nice to hear someone this excited about a new find. You kind of beat me to it but from my end it looks like possibly an aluminum Saya that have had the spots covered with cosmoline. This is a vers sticky, grease that over the years dries and often turns a yellow color. Often even when removed it leaves a stain. Way back in the day I used to find a lot of WW2 items stored in this type of grease. Thank you for sharing it looks like a real winner MikeR

Hello John. Do you think that maybe the brass ferrules were part of the crowns? Maybe inside so that we usually don’t see them, but help to keep the crowns shape and to keep them from coming off? Just thinking out loud MikeR

Thank you Tom. That looks exactly like the one that I saw and in that same condition. Great pictures, thank you so much. Do you have any additional information? Have you seen any others like yours? Yours looks beautiful. Thank you for your input and for sharing MikeR

Thank you All. Great pictures. Seems like they are out there but not too common. Great information MikeR

Yes those both look like Shark skin to me. The one that I was looking at had the larger white nodules/ spots

Thank you Bruce. I wish I was able to get some pictures of the one that I was looking at as the pictures above don’t really do it justice and show its beauty. I tried doing searches here and on the web but little information was found. It would be nice to see if anyone has one that they might share. MikeR

Hello all. I know this may be a hard question to answer without pictures but I don’t have any at this time. A fellow Japanese sword collector showed me a Koto blade mounted in type 98 Army mounts with a Beautiful BROWN Ray Skin Saya. I know that I have few details as it was in the middle of a deal but this is what I do have: Signed Koto blade, type 98 army mounts, cord Saratue, and a beautiful, minty Brown Ray Skin Saya. I have never seen a full brown, Ray skin Saya let alone mounted for the army. I have seen a Navy that the bottom 1/4 was brown Ray skin along with the other 3/4 being black Ray skin. Has anyone seen a brown ray skin army? Any details? Any opinions? I tried searching but didn’t have much luck. Thank you in advance and sorry for no pictures. MikeR

I will take this Tanto. Thank you michael67. Also thank you Volker of helping me with my decision with your above comment. I love the Tanto that I purchased from you and am sure that I will love this one also. They will look great together MikeR

WOW Very nice John. Thank you for sharing MikeR

Lance, since you are so close to Orlando you should certainly attend the Japanese Sword Show there in June. Bring your sword for some more, although you have already been given great information here, look at other blades, talk to other Japanese Sword people and just have a Great day. Hope to see you there. MikeR

Don’t know what it is but I love the leather work. Good luck and thank you for sharing MikeR

Thank you John

Kevin, Great Sword. It would look good on my wall. Thank you for sharing MikeR

WOW. Very nice. Well done. Thank you for sharing MikeR

Deborah, looks like a very nice sword. Great pictures. If it were mine I would be proud to own it. You came to the right place for information as this forum is full of great, knowledgeable people always willing to share that knowledge. Thank you for sharing. MikeR

Very nice. Your story just inforces what I have been taught, the blade picks you- you don’t pick the blade. Thank you for sharing and congratulations. MikeR

Ed, I love it. Looks very nice and very nicely mounted. I like you think this would look very nice in My collection. Thank you for sharing. MikeR