Two Type 98’s for review

[hale1940]

Hey there,

 

I’m eyeing up these two Type 98s and I wanted to see what you guys think of them and what other information you guys may have. 
 

The first one has a combat cover and is signed by Kiyo Nobu and the asking is 1900 USD. 
 

The second is a 1943 piece made by Takehisa. The lock button on this one is broken. Asking is 1500 USD 

 

Im pretty new to these guys, so your feedback is greatly appreciated. Even if I don’t buy either its good learning experience. 
 

https://imgur.com/a/HR92hHA
 

And, I did an Imgur link because the way the photos were shaped meant they got horribly cropped when I uploaded them directly onto the post. 

[PNSSHOGUN]

My vote is the Takehisa, it has far nicer mounts and a tassel.

[BANGBANGSAN]

Takehisa +1

[hale1940]

41 minutes ago, BANGBANGSAN said:

Takehisa +1

Thanks for your opinions guys, I was already leading to the Takehisa as well. 
 

Do we have any suspicions as to what kind of manufacturing method was used to make it? 
 

 

[BANGBANGSAN]

2 hours ago, hale1940 said:

Thanks for your opinions guys, I was already leading to the Takehisa as well. 
 

Do we have any suspicions as to what kind of manufacturing method was used to make it? 
 

 

I think most of 武久 are the #4 Han-tanren to。

[hale1940]

43 minutes ago, BANGBANGSAN said:

I think most of 武久 are the #4 Han-tanren to。

 

Awesome, thanks for this information. 

 

Would we expect to find any serial number on any of the fittings of a blade like this?

[PNSSHOGUN]

Only assembly numbers for the tsuba, seppa and sometimes the Tsuka.

[Bruce Pennington]

Hale,

The numbers on fittings, like John said, are put there by the fitting shops to keep all the parts together for a particular blade.  Each blade has different curves and thicknesses, so the fittings are customized, filed to fit nakago, etc, for a particular blade.  The numbers keep those parts together when not on the blade, like for polishing. 

 

If you have all matching numbers, it simply tells you all the parts were original from it's making.  But many gunto have parts without numbers at all, or have a mix of numbered and unnumbered parts.

[hale1940]

I’ve really appreciated all your feedback. I thought I’d let you all know that it looks like Im likely gonna get the Takehisa. 
 

...also it has matching numbers