robinalexander

Bit like slowly opening presents at Xmas Brian has it...let's see the nakago. Oh and Bruce @Bruce Pennington 'you would bet a year's pay' (?)...... ....mate, your retired, you dont get 'payed' anymore. But sounded convincing anyway George IMO 300 is not unreasonable and potentially, you could learn so much from this piece (in hand!) and that may hold you in good stead down the track. Start reading though. Now, where is that nakago

Ditto above Mr "T" Have a look at NMB Home Page 'Research' then click on 'Fake ....something or other' http://www.jssus.org...japanese_swords.html

Hi Adam.... I would hazard a guess and say that it does not belong on an IJN tassel. I believe antique dealers call it 'married'. Whether it was 'married' period or post war..........IMO I think the later. Rob

Hi George, The Ishizuke looks fake in the close up pic and Semegane looks equally dodgy The Ashi just look so wrong from what I can see in a bad picture Is the Same red colour (?) if so then thats not good and the Ito look like leather (?) Ok it appears to have a hamon All up, based on very bad pictures, I give it a 3/10 and I would not buy it based on what you have been given so far. All the best.

Hi Mat, interesting question. I don't know but could I suggest the answer to your question was 'the best way they could'. As Brian has said...Units were in circulation repairing and restoring 98/95's and in regard to 95's would have included re-matching and renumbering sayas (I have one). I imagine there would be Armourers would look after (just about) all 'military metal' but nothing to base that thought on. Picture of some sword maintenance attached. Not for any real reason....I just like it.

Hi Roman, welcome. Just to clear the air..... are you saying that you intend to 'polish' Japanese blades? Rob

Thoughtful of you to post that Alex

Oli, I wish I was a Tanto, that looks soooo comfortable.

Hi Adam, Colin and John are so right. Read Colin's posts again before you go to bed tonight. John Carlin and Bill Tagg are very reputable and great to deal with BUT as Colin said, buy what you want, not what is in front of you. Bridle your passions....for a day, or week, or month or two at least ...... (from my reading that would be about your limit before you explode If its WW2 your after, look at 94's, 98's and don't forget 97's because you just might get a real bug for those later. WW2 blades in gunto koshirae.......old blades in gunto koshirae...there is a difference. Take time and familiarise yourself with what's out there, ask yourself why the (sold) prices are different and importantly, prior to purchasing anything, be in some sort of position to be able to say "for me, that is worth $xxxx". Look and research a lot..... ask a lot of questions, then buy your first. It is exciting.....good luck. Rob

Brendan, if your talking about the one on the right (?) .....It's certainly not regulation gunto..... if that's what your after, then don't bother.

LOL Baz .... I think I bought it But seriously, it wouldn't be the same one. This blade is no national treasure but it's far from mistreated. Samegawa saya, mumei, Type 94 fuchi, probably Showa-to, no stamps or markings on nakago ...came with (incorrect) IJN tassel (but hey, it matches ) Sorry MichaelR ...not Koto.

Ziggy, I agree with all above members comments including your own (below) ............. Clear pics of the blade, kissaki may help put it to bed. As an interesting aside, I note the name '" Mikael Bauer " in your OP. If he is the same MB from Montreal ? I was just wondering if he appraised this sword. Rob

That seems an unusual 'painted'(?) finish Piers? Looks rather brightish orange. Is it traditional.....old finish or more recent? Rob

Yes good person to deal with Chris...but if you look at his website you will see that all 'sold out' swords show a sale price of US $999.00. Not sure what the go is.

For illustration purposes only (from a chinese copy but essentially the same) ...

Haven't got time to list all the things I see that are wrong...even with these poor pics but you said "any advice is most welcome" ....my advice is give it a miss.

Not liking what I am seeing Eric. What is that number on the blade? Rob

Hi Max, Here are a couple of Type 95 inserts FYI. Not sure about the sound you refer to though, I am a little 'deef' but I think all mine are pretty quite. Rob

Brian I appreciate that you don't have better pics available yet and as you know that always makes it difficult. For what MO is worth, based on what can be seen so far ..... 1. something not right with that tsuka ......see picture attached ..lack of detail on kabutogane .....looks like badly cast copy. 2. as you point out, that bohi is really bad, too thick and starts and ends poorly. 3. the saya throat looks unusually 'heavy' and lacking basic shape for an early 95 ... pic of one of mine attached for reference? Look forward to seeing pics of blade number/stamps and also saya throat. That could change my initial opinion (but unlikely) If your friend hasn't purchased it yet, I would definitely hold off until all relevant pictures produced. Rob

Nice one @dido I always wanted one for the scotch thistles (paddocks of them). None of mine are going that way or getting swung around the garage! Astute purchase

Well done Adam, love your sentiment and intentions 👏 I gather he would be very happy with reasonable Showa-To in genuine WW2 mounts? Does he have a preference for combat cover, or not, and amy idea at all about blade/polish/hamon ?

Hi Charles, I'm a bit confused trying to work out which part of which sword is which. The pics and 'flow' aren't really clear to me. As a general comment I'm not liking what I see so far and I wonder if that is why you havent had a response on this. What are the terms of the "offer" ...does he want money for them? If i was new (newer than I am) to the sword collecting thing, I wouldn't start with these. Don't mean to be harsh.

Agree with Oli above....from the latest pics the tsuba is not pierced, you have a broken chuso clip, an 'out of polish' used blade albeit with an attractive hamon IMO. But it is an authentic WW2 Type 98. So without exposing the nakago, I think the bottom end of your estimate would apply. To pay more would increase the gamble and more often than not, they just don't pay off.

Very nice Sam. Your next challenge replacement saya inserts for 95's. Time aside, you could become a sought after craftsman

Not referring to the cover,but the civilian saya underneath.