lonely panet

hmmmmmmmm pay for it

its very sexy. the 1912 german style knot is very odd, it was abolished with the introduction of the shingunto at 1934. so possibly a add on after the war???? but the fittings are hand made and very very interesting, and on the whole, the set is a great piece to own

I was going to suggest Nara as well. But I'm not that knowledgable on nara

thats not a unreasonable price

same as above.

well done Brian, the most polite and respectable moderator. deals with situations better then I would. Brian deserves a pay rise for his continuous efforts in protecting members from potential scams

well done bruce, that's a nice colletion of type 95s, and I'm more then happy you found a genuine bargin out of fleaby china. keen eyes

Hi Erol, i went last DTI, if your just a tourist its fine. if you have sound experience , it will be very slow and not that exciting. time better spent at the natioanl museum at ueno, more everything to see and far better examples

nice work. that mito suaka tsuba is very sexy

its just a basic, "company grade " type 19 Kyu gunto dress sword. condition is good. the quality of the work on the guard is average for a mid to late dress sword. the grip looks like backerlite (type of early plastic) the second removable hanger is a later addition, the ware is a good sign. at a guess the box could be originally made fro scrolls, and the sword put in to either make a attractive sale, iv done that in the past. But for fun get it kanji translated as it always fun to see what's written. with the green rust on the nichol plate on the scabbard, don't wipe oil over it as I believe it accelerated the plating from lifting, but just my observation. if you really get hooked on dress swords, they are cheap fun to collect and there are some really fine examples to collect '

shocking fake

Morning Dave, over the years I have found that these type of low production, almost experimental methods of making swords in the early times didn't get much respect or documentation, all I could find is small snippets of info, that have been translated. the book I mention above is the only published reliable information. I wish you luck with your research, I have no time now due to family commitments if you get really ambitious, theres is a very rare "combination sword" made about the time of the russo war. its a cross of a dress sword but with a real blade inside, how or what is made from I never found out. regards H

think daves Confusing this with the MANCHURIAN sword, they appear to have jigane due to the fact the smiths over there were sourcing old bristish rail tracks which had a compasate construction. the top having a linear grain to reduce ware from the use. theres some brief info in the book MODERN Japanese SWORD SMITHS by Leon kapp. they have no resemblance to mantetsu to, but are strangly well signed for a sino-showa style blade

yes they are, but they have failed to make them in any real number, and they can be 98% picked up quickly. theres a few tricky ones out there but most of the time good collectors can pick them.

you have just struck gold, keep the leather surate in good condition. with the US market the way its going on early type 95 nco swords. $4000 isn't unfair considering the condition and very very low numbers

So thats what happened at the end of RED SUN

pics can really help us, help you

Hi John. sad that yoy havnt had a reply yet. due to the price's on the tassel alone maybe put a rough price range to let people know your serious

theres a very good essay from the board about samurai's salary and the cost of sword. maybe another smarter person can remember it

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/152496095970?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649 http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/152496102262?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Why buy mistatched type 32s Bruce?? Numbers under 10000 are rare. But in incomplete condition with mismatched saya. Should have kept looking

Hida is a province north of mino a major centre for trade was takayama, could this help??

check the inside of the koiguchi, if its been put tpgeather post war, there would most likey be extra alterations to make the locking mech work. Either filing or adding materal

Im not doubting the weapon, just the sharp (hahahha) price rise over a 2 year period. I have been studying translated articles for many years now, the most poignant fact I like is that they don't break below freezing point, thus making them a must have for china campaign. Im not ignorant to the pipe hammer wielding techniques made to economise the process. but from 1000 to 5000. all driven by what I think is the US market.????? that's almost the same amount as a yasukuni -to once again, try and send one to Japan for restoration??? but I love this type of discussion, but I think my comment has distracted the topic from polishing sorry

A big fade, just like type 95 nco swords