paul griff Posted June 24, 2016 Report Posted June 24, 2016 Hello, I've been after one of these for a long time and finally found one at an arms fair recently. It was really dirty with speckles of that old type paint that was flicked onto it , removal must have been too time consuming because a bolt had been passed through a nicely tapped thread in the larger of the mekugi-ana to secure the sword to a wall ( I've removed the thread ) . The attached trophy slip was wrapped around the suspension ring on the saya and it's amazing how it lasted so long . Blade was filthy so for now have given it a sympathetic clean. Again just to say very pleased with this piece of history and just to show that they still are " out there ".. Regards, Paul.. 2 Quote
paul griff Posted June 24, 2016 Author Report Posted June 24, 2016 My wife said that It was nice to see a smile on my face...! These old swords have a kind of ' magic ' about them..I had previously asked my sons if they wanted a sword to display when they buy their own property....they both declined...when the youngest clamped his eyes on this one he changed his mind real fast ! Told the wife she will have to bury me with this one ( no doubt the boys will be around with shovels soon after though ! ).....Thanks for the reply both.. Regards, Paul.. 1 Quote
paul griff Posted June 24, 2016 Author Report Posted June 24, 2016 Thank's Thibault... Regards, Paul. Quote
hxv Posted June 24, 2016 Report Posted June 24, 2016 How much for the shovels or the nice sword? Hoanh 1 Quote
paul griff Posted June 24, 2016 Author Report Posted June 24, 2016 I paid extra to get in the fair early and saw this on the table of a respectable collector/ dealer who knows I like swords with preferably some history and to be honest there were a lot of quality swords there at very reasonable prices that can easily distract you. He pointed to this one and said the blades f....d on this one but it's a Namboku-cho . Having wanted one for a long time I didn't really care if it was tired but it was really,really dirty and needed to be tugged out of the saya...When he said £350 the fella next to me looking at some eye candy went quiet , rigid and I thought he would fall over ! I wouldn't let it go and couldn't get my wallet out fast enough..To be honest I thought I was hearing things and something must be wrong...I did take a lot of cleaning and as so often happens when you mix red wine with polishing razor sharp swords it bit me...! Somebody else also had a good buy a nice gunto with a majors tassel marked up for £400 ( that's for both ) but by the time I'd composed myself that had gone..so good luck to the new owner of that one...To be honest in over twenty years this is only the third ' gem ' I have found but it makes it all worth while and rekindles the fire...! Regards, Paul... 4 Quote
charlie1 Posted June 25, 2016 Report Posted June 25, 2016 Paul, Glad you found a nice gem to get the blood pumping again. Its always nice when you get that rush. Regards Charlie Quote
paul griff Posted June 25, 2016 Author Report Posted June 25, 2016 Hello Charlie, Gone are the motorbikes,fast cars and nights out but cleaning an old gunto outside on the decking ( when it's not raining ) sipping something nice is as good as it gets for me... Regards, Paul... 2 Quote
Geraint Posted June 25, 2016 Report Posted June 25, 2016 Hi Paul. Congrats on your treasure. I'm not sure that, "getting the blood pumping", is a good reference when you have just cut yourself on it though. Enjoy!. All the best. Quote
paul griff Posted June 25, 2016 Author Report Posted June 25, 2016 Hello Geraint, Thank you.....I never learn and won't listen .... according to the wife...! Regards, Paul... Quote
Bazza Posted June 26, 2016 Report Posted June 26, 2016 Hello Charlie, Gone are the motorbikes,fast cars and nights out but cleaning an old gunto outside on the decking ( when it's not raining ) sipping something nice is as good as it gets for me... Regards, Paul... Congratulations Paul. Sipping something nice is as good as it gets for me too. Almost a tradition!! I have a memorable night nearly 40 years ago firmly in mind still. I had to travel a long, long way to see a sword after dropping my car pool workmates off, then backtracking to the other side of the city. When the owner brought out an old bag I started to wet myself. When the original Edo period koshirae came out of the bag I felt even more pressure. When the blade came out in pristine condition I went wobbly and asked the owner if he had any booze in the house. I made him an offer and we cracked the beer. Then I took the handle off to reveal a kiku mon and the mei ECHIZEN no KAMI MINAMOTO RAI NOBUYOSHI and the destruction of my composure was nearly complete. I arrived home after midnight from the long return drive to find my dinner cold in the oven. I found a bottle of bubbly in the fridge and stood up at the kitchen bench to eat my dinner cold, washed down with a full bottle of bubbly. I have rarely felt so good... The 27 inch katana is now polished with a Tokubetsu Hozon paper. BaZZa. XXX 2 Quote
paul griff Posted June 26, 2016 Author Report Posted June 26, 2016 Hello BaZZa, Thank you , and yes fantastic rush.Glad to hear you still have your " find "...In the past I made the mistake of selling my past finds ( to pay for the stairs when we built the house ) ...Not this time , I'd rather sell the car and go back to a motorbike ! Regards, Paul. 1 Quote
Stephen Posted June 26, 2016 Report Posted June 26, 2016 I see this is going to take some time....LOL 1 Quote
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