Need help with this one.

[samurai77]

I'm brand new to this subject and saw this the other day. I was told that it was from the 1940's, the Tsuba is brass and not the original. I think it's hand forged based on the hamon and graining but need other opinions. The only flaw is a small nick on the cutting edge that doesn't traverse the hamon. This is the only picture I have. I didn't have a chance to examine the tsuba. What would be a reasonable offer for this piece? Thank you for your help!

[cabowen]

Need more pictures but I have that Chinese feeling.....

[estcrh]

You need to post pictures of the tang also as that will tell a lot. the damascus type of pattern looks funny and the fittings look new but with a few more pictures it will be clear what it actually is, or at least what it isnt.

[Grey Doffin]

If you can't get better pictures stay away from it. It looks very much (99% certain) that this is a fake.

Grey

[sanjuro]

I'll go for a 99.999999999999% chance of this being a Chinese fake.

Damascus style patterning of the blade (Typical Chinese style)....... Hamon (if it is a hamon) too regular.......Nasty apparently repro tsuba......

What would be a decent offer for this piece? I think I would just offer to allow the present owner to keep it!

[outlier48]

I'm brand new to this subject and saw this the other day. I was told that it was from the 1940's, the Tsuba is brass and not the original. I think it's hand forged based on the hamon and graining but need other opinions. The only flaw is a small nick on the cutting edge that doesn't traverse the hamon. This is the only picture I have. I didn't have a chance to examine the tsuba. What would be a reasonable offer for this piece? Thank you for your help!

 

B. Sakamoto,

 

Glad to see you asked before purchasing. Please review the FAQ section at the top of the page and consider buying and reading (several times) some basic reference books on Nihonto. Follow threads on this forum. Join a club if possible. Go to shows. Examine and hold quality swords. Take every opportunity to learn about Nihonto. With all due respect, the "ready, fire, aim" approach rarely works well in this field. You will have ample time to spend your money on quality blades from reputable dealers and board members.

 

Charlie Brashear

[rkg]

+1 on this being a"modan" piece, painfully so... I'd recommend saving your money.

 

FWIW, you'd be money ahead just making the pilgrimage to one of the sword shows and looking at a number of real pieces

before you buy anything. There's one next week in SF... Books are nice, but unless you've seen a number of pieces in

hand to compare what you're reading about to, its really hard to "get" it...

 

Looking for pieces in the woodwork has a certain allure, but realistically you'll probably just be wasting money if you don't

know what you're looking for/at...

 

Good Luck,

 

rkg

(Richard George)

[samurai77]

Thank you all for the very useful input. I just bought a book on nihonto and plan on reading many more before making my first purchase.