A couple of decent things on eBay for a change...

[Guest Simon Rowson]

I'm sure that everyone has seen this one but, just in case, it's one of the best old-bladed gunto that I've seen in a long time. Absolutely mint condtition, high-quality mounts and a beautiful Sukesada blade:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Japanese-WW2-army-o ... dZViewItem

(Yes, I know it's up to $3,649 already but what do you expect for such a good sword?)

 

Also, this seems to be a pretty reasonably priced copy of Richard Fullers hard-to-find book:

http://cgi.ebay.com/MILITARY-SWORDS-OF- ... dZViewItem

 

Simon

[DavidF]

Hi there,

 

I took a look at the sword. Here are my impressions. The rust on the tang looks a little too "new". I don't think it is as old as the seller is indicating. My guess is that it is shin-shinto period, probably, into the late edo period (late 18th, early 19th century). Looking at the chisel marks on the signature, also makes me suspect that the blade has a fake (gimei) signature.

 

The blade does look in polish and of what I could see the hamon does look like quality work, but it is hard to say much more without a high res. picture of the entire blade.

 

In short my impression is that it isn't that old.

 

DavidF.

[Brian]

The sword is a nice one.

Just wanted to point out though, that the book is the smaller one by F&G, and not the larger and more sought after Military and Civil Swords and Dirks. This thinner one has been climbing in price too. The hard cover version is much scarcer than the soft cover, but the soft cover version can still be had for under $150.

This one is a bargain:

http://www.maremagnum.com/index.php?opt ... m=42348881

 

Brian

[Guest Simon Rowson]

Thanks for the observations on the blade David - kantei was never my strong point!

 

And DOH! - thanks Brian for pointing out that it's the earlier Gregory and Fuller book! If I'd bothered to look at all the pictures I'd have realised my goof!

 

Simon

[Stephen]

from me, photos can wash out a lot on nakago's, bigger Sukesada name is often gimei ill give you that, if I was bidding id ask around before committing. Ill give it the upper hand as one heck of a sword in gunto mount so that right there is why its at the price it is, the owner who took it to war had some moo la to have all the quality work done. IMHO its worth a few K more for the right military collector and maybe much more if the blade turns up good.

[Stopper37]

The sword is a nice one.

Just wanted to point out though, that the book is the smaller one by F&G, and not the larger and more sought after Military and Civil Swords and Dirks. This thinner one has been climbing in price too. The hard cover version is much scarcer than the soft cover, but the soft cover version can still be had for under $150.

This one is a bargain:

http://www.maremagnum.com/index.php?opt ... m=42348881

 

Brian

 

I actually found one on Amazon for 90USD, would get myself one if I was into gunto (and I am not).......

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/ ... 937&sr=8-1

[Guest Simon Rowson]

Four years ago I saw a mint copy of the paperback version in a London remainder bookshop for £1.

I didn't buy it because I already had the hardback........whoops.

[Bungo]

Just wanted to point out though, that the book is the smaller one by F&G, and not the larger and more sought after Military and Civil Swords and Dirks. This thinner one has been climbing in price too

 

Brian

 

there's another " larger " version of the hard cover book ?

 

milt the ronin

[Brian]

Just to clarify: There is a smaller and less in-depth book called Military Swords of Japan 1868-1945. This is usually found in a soft cover version, but there is a hard cover version floating around (I have both)

This is climbing in price, but should be found for under $100. The HC is scarcer than the SC version. A good book but not as comprehensive as the larger book called Japanese Military and Civil Swords and Dirks. I have only seen this as a hard cover, and is the one going for outrageous prices (over $1000!)

Both are by Fuller and Gregory.

Although not dealing with Nihonto as such, they are excellent books, and since so many family blades are found in Shin Gunto mounts, have a definite place in the collection.

 

Brian

[BC Smith]

Seeing as the subject is being discussd here this is where I felt best to post.

 

Yesterday whilst hobbling through town with my daughter I noticed a secondhand shop on the corner, basically a junk shop as it's known here in the UK, so I thought I'd stop and peruse though the offerings, entering I noticed a book section mainly of well thumbed and read novels, then on the top shelf somthing caught my eye, it was the familiar script and title "Japanese Military and Civil Swords and Dirks". Pulling it from the shelf it was in pristine as new condition, apart from a lot of dust and asked the chap in the shop "how much for this mate?" Well he said it's in pretty good nick.. ohoh here comes the killer, Ow about thirty quid, I choked nearly dropping the book, stuffed £30 in his hand and practically flew from the shop before he changed his mind. I wish he had more of the same.

Sorry for being so longwinded about it. :D

[Stephen]

them finds. WTG

 

for the currency challenged

 

Quid is a pound

 

30.00 GBP = 61.4288 USD

United Kingdom Pounds United States Dollars

1 GBP = 2.04763 USD 1 USD = 0.488370 GBP