cthal

Across the center of the stamp it looks like 9. 6. 5 or possibly 8. 6. 5. I am trying to take some better pictures to post. I'll put them up if they come out. Hal

Here's an interestingly mounted tanto. Full leather Gunto style! It is missing the hanger, but had one when picked up 'on the island' by the GI it came from. I was told that it says 'Separate movement' or Special movement' force on it (The purple ink stamp? Any thoughts welcome. Hal http://halkct.myphotoalbum.com/albums.php

Here's a photo of the Nakago. I added white arrows to help show the direction of the Yasurime. H.

Holy cow, it is amazing what I can miss. After your reply, I looked at the Mune closer, and I do see some Muneyaki and some Tobiyaki. Thanks for the eye-opening information. Hal

I just came across this large Tanto. Not stored well, but in sound condition. It is approximately 14 1/8" tip to Hamachi. The Hamon is Nioi. The Hada looks like large Mokume almost Ayasugi. The Hada has areas that appear almost the same color as the Hamon. Along the back of the tip, there are very fine parallel polishers lines. The file marks on the Nakago look like some I have seen on some Gendaito. The Mune of the Nakago is slightly rounded. I am thinking it is late Shin-Shinto, relatively young. It has been a long time since I cracked any books and did any studying. I apologize for my poor quality pictures. Any thoughts on what it might be? Pictures here. http://halkct.myphotoalbum.com/view_album.php?set_albumName=album63Hal

One of my most dazzling blades is a gimei, but boy, what a nice sword! H.

Here is a picture. H.

I had a first generation Kunisuke that papered. Here's a Mei. Hal

I'll dig them out this weekend and try to get a picture up. Regards, Hal

Approximately 10 or more years ago I sold a Heianjo tsuba (Large round solid plate with mixed soft metal flowers) to a guy either at the Chicago or Florida show. I also had a thin iron plate square shaped Jingo tsuba with a gold dragon on it (Which I did not sell), but if you were the guy that bought the Heianjo tsuba, you probably remember it. I have the papers for your tsuba! I lost your address and was never able to send them to you. I just found them as I was doing some purging of stuff that I have accumulated over the years. On the odd chance that you see this...... Hal