Bruno

I think Mr Ayashi would be a wise choice. Actually there are some photos of the blade which has been crudely cleaned. Not sure the blade can provides more infos.

Both mei are a bit different to me, not sure wether it is gimei or not. What do you experts think?

I agree with Chris and Brian. It is an older blade so not military, thus a "family" blade.

Thanks Chris!

Hi everyone, Does anybody know what the symbol next to the stock number is? Thanks

When you look at the bidders, it is quite obvious that "n***a( 1 )" is a fake bidder here to make the price high.

This one in San Francisco is good also : Jimmy Hayashi 415.922.0618

OK now my previous comment looks really stupid! :lol:

I think it is more likely an oil quenched showato, not traditionnal. I would not recommend to re-wrap it by your own but ask a pro to do it, price should be between 100 and 200 usd in the USA.

I see one, a partial Seki stamp. Otherwise it looks like Sadakatsu.

Hi Allan, Very nice gendaito! Really sad for the corrosion on the nakago. May you tell what is nagasa length please? Thanks

Not sure we are talking about the same but the W stamp appears on blades made by Takehisa and Haruhisa.

Hi Brian, You can try David McDonald in Montana. He does excellent work. As for the missing part menuki, seppa, sarute, tassel they are easy to find on Ebay.

The broom looks in pretty good shape and condition, looks like a good deal! :D

I think they are more contract number than serial number. As Brian said serial numbers are found only on NCO and Mantetsuto. I think without being certain, these contract numbers indicate traditionnal swords as they are here to control the supply of tamahagane. I am not sure.

Yes nothing special except maybe if cutting edge is several cm longer than 66 cm, in that case it could be a kind of special order for a tall officer. Otherwise no, value of it is around 700 to 1000 USD I would say.

Maybe NO SHU SEKI JU KANE......KAZUNORI SAKU

You will find this stamp on page 65 of SLOUGH's book. I do not have a scanner here.

I think the gunto is signed NO SHU SEKI....KANE......KAZUNORI SAKU

Thanks Eric, I will look at it for sure.

Hi Geraint and thanks. Ha yes thanks I think I see what it is now, well exactly what Morita san was showing! :D So the lack of visible funbari is like a mistake in the making of the sword?

I do not understand what "funbari" is, even with Morita san's draw. What is it and why a sword looks "weak" without this "funbari"? In what sense it is "weak"? Anyone has an idea? Thanks

The ha machi looks small, a sign of tired blade I think.

Thanks Chris. Roy, You say in your description Amahide was RJT, however I cannot see him in Dr Stein's RJT list. Anyone knows why? http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/gendai2.htm I have never seen any Amahide's blade with a star stamp. According to Dr Stein's website, "not all blades by Jumei Tosho swordsmiths were star stamped. If the blade was a private or direct purchase or not for military use, there will be no stamp appearing on the nakago." I thought when a blade made by a RJT smith without star stamp, the only reasons were : 1° The sword was rejected by Army inspection (kizu etc...) 2° The sword was made when the smith was not yet RJT Anyone can enlight me on these two points? Thanks