Bruno

I did not know French soccer League 1 could interest an american gentleman btw. In 2012, that's correct John. So everything is possible when you know the right persons to ask!

In 2023, a french guy, Mr LAVIGNE, was able to return a Gifu or Showa stamped Type 3 showato (not even a nihonto) to the owner family. He bought the sword at an auction in Tours (France) without knowing what it was. Then he decided to return the sword to Japan. It was even on a local Japanese TV news. So never say never... https://quinzaine.japonoccitanie.fr/evenements/temoignage-echange-la-belle-histoire-du-retour-dun-sabre-au-japon-par-michel-lavigne-et-madame-marie-fiton-presidente-de-lassociation-les-amis-de-nishinomiya/

IndeedJean. So farI always used John TIRADO but would like to give a try with an European shirasaya maker. One who makes top notch shirasaya.

I would be interested too.

Here you are Bruce. I bought mine on Yahoo Japan. It was like fiding a needle in a haystack. It has quite a dark patina. Edit : the tsuba stands are from Tobias. https://www.tsuba-no-kake.com/

Here is a couple of photos of my "civilian gunto" tsuba. I bought the 6th one from Mark "DARTHLAKER" recently. It is the one in tsuba box.

Will post them soon though I guess each pattern has already been posted here separately.

Just added this one to my civilian gunto tsuba small collection. So far I have 6 different patterns.

Trystan, Does yours have a hamon?

Chris BOWEN has a good togishi in Japan. The price and waiting is inferior to togishi in the USA. You shall ask Chris Bowen directly. Chris can take care and handle this project. I already had a sword polished in Japan trought his service. Does the blade have koshirae or a habaki at least? If not, you might have a shirasaya made for it.

Were zoheito oil quenched, had artificial hamon or no hamon at all? Nice and interesting piece.

I have the same pattern. My understanding is that these brass tsuba are from 1930' made for iaido and refitted for gunto.

Good for metal recycling.

Which polisher?