Japanese Swords, Buying Opportunity Or Not

[phunixx]

I am still learning to identify real genuine Japanese swords.

 

I came by these swords and wanted the pro's opinions here.

 

The one on the right seems to have a British tassel style, maybe replaced?

 

Too bad they didnt include more detailed pictures.

 

But maybe a good purchase.....They are estimated value @ +- 1400 USD

 

Pic of swords:

 

[hxv]

1400USD for all together, then yes, it's worth a gamble.  1400USD for each, then definitely no for me.

 

Hoanh

[Bruce Pennington]

I agree - assuming all are legit, that is a steal for all 4. The knot is likely from a kyu-gunto, pre-WWII, a similar one is in Dawson's book, pg 407.

 

From the limited view of this picture, they SEEM legit.

[phunixx]

They are auctioning it in a few weeks...And the price is for the 4 together indeed...

As said it is an estimated price...might go higher during the auction

[hxv]

If I were you, I would post in the “Want To Buy” section. Much better examples, guaranteed to be nihonto, better prices as well. Don’t get

burned on your first purchase.

 

Hoanh

[Ray Singer]

My concern is that these may be 'put-together' assemblages of various parts. Swords 1 through 3 seem to have their various elements poorly fitted. I don't know much about NCO swords and will pass on commenting about sword #4.

[vajo]

I would not like to have these in my collection from what i see on this two pictures.

[Geraint]

So let's assume that you bid $1400 and you win.  (They might go for a lot more of course.)  Then add the auction buyer's premium, often 25% or more.  You don't have full pictures of the blades so you have no idea if they have any hamon or boshi, you can't see if they have serious flaws, you have no idea whether they are signed or not and they do look a bit rough, as Ray suggests.   

 

But let's say you win them, what have you got?  An NCO sword that might be genuine but there are a lot of very good fakes out there, a wakizashi out of polish and in poor koshirae and two out of polish katana, one of which is a shingunto and could be anything.   Let's say that when you get them and take them apart one of them is signed and by a good maker, so it's off to polish, shirasaya, habaki and shinsa.  $$$$$$$$$$$$$!

 

Unless you can see these in hand and know enough to tell good from bad and are prepared to put some serious money into them......getting the picture?

 

Take your hand off your wallet!  

 

Of course it's your wallet and your choice, whatever you decide to do enjoy it!

 

All the best.

[IJASWORDS]

Please don't waste your money on these. 

[Shamsy]

NCO is genuine. Others could be too, but the estimate will hugely blow out anyway, as it always does for Japanese swords in British auctions.

 

Listen to the advice and save up for swords where you know what you're buying.

[TheGermanBastard]

I would I buy them at USD 1400? Probably not because I have no interest in NCO stuff ... are they worth 1400 USD? Probably yes ... but will they sell at USD 1400? No they won't just the premium will make it USD 1800.00 and you will more likely have to put more on the table in the end ...

 

From the two provided images you can't tell really much. Yes it is swords ... could be a hidden Masamune amongst them as well as a complete piece of junk ... so bid accordingly a if it was junk only ..

[TheGermanBastard]

Oh ... and you can always ask for more images and that is what you would want to do 1st

[PNSSHOGUN]

Much better options out there for whatever this lot sells for, 1800-2000usd gets you a nice Shin Gunto with tassel easily these days.

[phunixx]

On 29/4 i will go to the exhibition date, there i can see them live before the auction which will be held later.

I can then take some good pics and see if they got the good grain, hamon, boshi,....

[Mick taylor]

None of them look the part,

[Geraint]

Bye the bye Phunixx, please add your name to your posts as per the rules.

 

Let us know what you find out.

 

All the best. 

[phunixx]

Bye the bye Phunixx, please add your name to your posts as per the rules.

 

Let us know what you find out.

 

All the best. 

 

Did i do anything wrong? 

[Stephen]

No Dave just protocol