birmingham arms fair dec 7.

[oldcodger]

Hi  all, this will be the first year I will visit this fair. I am expecting to see  mostly world war items, but hope to see some good and interesting proper antiques for sale, including of course Nihonto.

 

My last major  collecting period was related to scientific  instruments, where experience of related fairs was generally good, but with prices over and above those I was seeing elsewhere. Also in the general UK auction world scientific items are plentiful, and museum collections  well represented, so a feel for what was right or not could be quickly built up. We all know this is not the case with Nihonto, to the casual  observer and novice, most blades appear very similar, but prices vary wildly. For the blade itself, there appear no obvious reasons. So, first impressions are formed by where we can easily recognise different levels of quality, the sword furniture.

 

So, I shall  make sure I have a good loup in my pocket,  try not to annoy dealers with a barrage of questions, and maybe find something I feel compelled to buy.

 

Nick G

 

[Lewis B]

Besides a loup I would take a small LED flashlight. The lighting at these events is less than ideal so the torch can help you see the finer activity. I believe @Matsunoki has a table at these events so I would suggest you have a word in person and see what he has to offer. 

[Matsunoki]

Thanks for the mention @Lewis B….but….Apologies, I’ve sold my whole sword collection and will only have a few tsuba on offer plus the first emerging pieces from my gun collection. There will be a few regulars and I think a couple of other NMB members are going to have a table so should be things to enjoy and hopefully buy!

@oldcodger…..come and say hello! Middle hall rear wall.

[Mikaveli]

I know Nihonto Gallery / Igor Hochmajer, will have a table next week.

 

I went last year, possibly the year before. There were 2-3 tables focusing on Nihonto, a couple more with tosogu etc.

 

Any of the Nihonto sellers, I'd trust and think offer fair prices.

 

However, some of the militaria sellers (usually only with gunto), seemed to be giving poor advice to perspective buyers - probably only out of ignorance, as it's not their specialism - but definitely worth getting external advice.