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Dan Sofe Auction appears to be a serial offender. The pic of the fake copper below (blade #14458) was 'challenged' on a number of points earlier this year. Its on our Fake 95 thread. SOFE's response was .... Hello Rob, We have consulted several specialist in the field and they all confirmed the sword was authentic. Best regards

I like the little one, she is cute.

Hello Jeremy, I have only sent a 95 Saya to the US with no probs. Have also received a few from US without any issue and two labelled "Barbeque Cutlery". You could consider 'breaking' the sword down so as to reduce the overall length and then just send via AustPost Just pack it securely and that's easy these days with hard cylinders and bubble wrap (keep it tight!) I have received one from Japan, disassembled, because of a similar issue but it was longer than your average bear. Well packaged, all good. Rob

Welcome Ben...I can feel your excitement.

Grey's got it ....the only variation I use is to simply lay the blade (with habaki) on a thick towel(s) and use wood and a small hammer, we call them 'tack' hammers. So no need to clamp. I find that very small but sharp hits, loosen everything I have had to deal with. Basically using the weight of the blade itself as the resistance.

I will put my larger UV torch on the list to bring over next trip. If mystery is not solved by then (don't make it too fast...I'm enjoying this!)

John I really have no idea but would ultraviolet yield anything else?

Wow ...you guys must have x-ray vision! .....'looking' fwd to your next installment because I certainly cant see anything on the bag

Paul, If your measurement (second picture) of the nagasa is correct at 23 5/8 inches which is 60.0075 cm ..... to me, it would make it a katana not a wakizashi (30 to 60 cms). Although I accept there may be differing or more correct definitions of blade length for katana/wakizashi and if that is the case, hopefully someone will chime in. In any event from what I see, this really is border line, therefore it would be important to include the exact nagasa measurement in your advertisement so any prospective buyer was well aware of the actual blade length and could draw their own conclusions. But it is in Type 98 mounts and a nice WW2 package ... could you post any clearer close pics of the nakago/tang (both sides)? Rob

Hi John, Wakizashi's were made during WW2 but very rare....see attached thread

Welcome Jared, it's a fake.

Slightly off topic Kyle but I couldn't help posting this example of Fuji Moon once more... the best I have seen. Courtesy of one of Brian's @Brian posts a few years ago (tks)

Well mate, what a great question, that I wished you hadn't asked . My rationale - Considering the couple of mentions from other members on the thread I thought I would blow the picture up on the computer because I really couldnt see what they were referring to either. Then I saw exactly what Christian @DoTanuki yokai posted above. Like Christian, I am no expert on Fuji moons but, to me this looks rather nice even though the moon is way off to the right (possibly over the Asagiri Plains - see pic below ) than typically right over Fuji-san. Maybe a 'poor man's' fuji moon but I could love it all the same. Ya think, too much artistic licence or just too much time on my hands?

500 + The 'fuji/moon harmony puts it in a higher category for me ( pity about the ito)

Brian, I'm with the others (above) IMO this is definitely not authentic and I do not believe any of the fittings are either. Ageing of Ito, Same, metal fittings is really not that difficult but it's a pity their 'work' didn't include the nakago I'm have interest in Mal's @mecox comment re sarute barrel (no eyelet) but will PM him so as not to hijack the thread.

i see a VERY angry chook running to the left.

Nice one Bruce...gold without the usual round 'frame' you see on silver mon and your 100% right about the paint job .... its a shocker. Way too dodgy for me.

Hi John, a long shot. Could it be a good conduct embellishment added as an upgrade by owner? I haven't seen any greater than 3 x chevrons and if that is the case (?) if a soldier achieved that level, they wouldnt have to change/add to it (unless they went down ) Just a thought.

Hi Phil, I am going to take a wild guess and say no.

Maybe a Douglas A1-Skyraider .......2 x 100 lb white phos ..... ? From 1950 to 1953 in the Korean War and from 1962 to 1975 in Vietnam, the "Sandy," as it was called, served as a mainstay workhorse due to its payload, range and durability. The Air Force acquired it's a-1s from the Navy for counterinsurgency duty in Southeast Asia.

The rare first type NCO sword ( 'copper' not!) mentioned above sold at au tion for $850 USD which indicates to me it was purchased by someone, likely a newbie, who thought they were getting a bargain. This will be a quick and painful lesson. I'm disgusted yet again by the behaviour of the auction house (Sofa Design Auctions Richardson, TX, US) in engaging with 'specialists' who appear to lack even fundamental knowledge of the subject. Note : The views expressed above are the personal opinions of the poster and are not necessarily the views of NMB members or moderators.

Same old, same old....I can't help myself. So I took the time to explain to this auction house that this was not a rare copper but a Chinese repro (and a bad one) and suggested they could refer it to a specialist.... after their first response which was .... Hello Rob, We have consulted several specialist in the field and they all confirmed the sword was authentic. Best regards I then told them that 'coppers' blade numbers finished in the mid 6000's but, no response....it's off to the auction it seems I really need to learn to just 'let it go'