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Oops, yes I forgot, “Japanese Armor Makers for The Samurai” by K.Kaneda Chappelear. Quite a comprehensive overview of schools and blacksmiths (mainly based on helmets and masks). Thx, Michael and Thomas!

Welcome to the “other side” Paz! Good decision to start with books. Unfortunately there isn’t something like a “basic work” on armor. At least nothing in English (but of course in Japanese!). A few books dealing with individual parts, like helmets, masks or the cuirass, but nothing comprehensive. Except “Chūkokatchū Seisakuben” by Sakakibara Kōzan, translated by R.Robinson. Also Markus Sesko wrote “Katchū”, but I think it’s only in German… Other works are: “Watanabe Art Museum/ Samurai Armor Collection” by Trevor Absolon & Dave Thatcher “Tokugawa Clan & Bakufu Daimyō Samurai Armour Sets” V1 by Trevor Absolon “Samurai Armour” V1 by Trevor Absolon ”Helmets of the Saotome School” by Teruo Orikasa, Luc Taelman, Jo Anseeuw ”Stirrups of the Samurai” by Teruo Orikasa, Luc Taelman, Jo Anseeuw “Japanese Arms and Armour” by Ian Bottomley ”Japanese Armour” by L.J.Anderson ”Japanese Arms & Armor” by R.Robinson…. ….for example. Well, there are a lot of “coffee table books” as also auction and exhibition catalogs! If you seriously interested, you can try here: https://www.japanesearmorsociety.com/

As Bruce pointed out, it is “濃州関住藤原兼道作” (Noshū Seki jū Fujiwara Kanemichi saku).

Hi Henrik, leave as much of the original odoshi-ge as possible. For the replacements 8 and 7mm might work….

I think it’s a common mei. Left side, place and right side smith, ending with ..道作. Do you have some better pics of the inscription, Henrik?

Anyway…nice helmets 👍 The soft metal cover (brass?) on the koshimaki of the ko-boshi is strange. Can you see any reason for that, Gary?

Hi Gary, I think the origami placed the ō-boshi into the late Edo period (江戸時代後期). That would be also supported by the overall (daienzan) shape…

A better pic of the inscription would be nice!

As Simon stated! The shape is called “shiinari” or “zūdaka no toppai”. I this case, however, a replica!

Dale, your examples are rather depicting “井桁” (igeta = well frames)!

It's a imperial date "皇紀二千六百三年六月吉日" (lucky day on the 6th month 1943...) Ah, Ray was faster...

I’ve to admit that I’m puzzled….

Unfortunately, pure guesswork here! Bruce tried something, but the fact that non of our wizards jumped in might mean something…

….and for the age, I guess we have “七十有餘作之”.

I think it’s “松壽斎” (Shōjusai), Piers…

…and a very nice guy 👍

Or younger! Have a look here, for example: https://samuraistore...ions/marutake-armory

I think one was spared out…?!

Very good kabuto, Gary 👍 The koshimaki seems to be covered by a soft metal band?….unusual!

It’s not an antique gusoku, Kurt! That means modern made, hence not a real samurai armor. A little research would bring up the company that made it…

As previous mentioned by Piers and John, authentic! These are “Tosei-Sode” (generic term) probably dating back to the Edo period. Indeed quite cheap…

Hy Ryan! I think it reads “忠孝作” (Tadataka saku). Made by Tadataka. A Shōwa smith (1926-1989). Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a reference at a glance. So wait for the specialists in this field here….

Thanks for sharing, Peter 👍 BTW, there is one Ō-Yoroi (composite and younger) housed in a German museum!

Seems to be “菊秀“ (Kikuhide). 11th month shōwa 18 = 1943…

Good piece 👍