Newbie needing help and advice

[boz142]

Can you guys help, i'm looking to buy first sword here is the markings under the handle.

[boz142]

By the way owner is firm at $750

[Brian]

Fake.

If not...then stay far away anyways.

 

Brian

[boz142]

Wow ! that was quick, why fake ?

[boz142]

Another pic

[boz142]

Thought I found a gem to keep for grandson, I need to learn what to look for.

[SwordGuyJoe]

...I need to learn what to look for.

 

A book...

 

Click the fake swords link above. The shaping of nakago is a dead give away all by itself and photos of the mounts just confirm.

[Brian]

The tang of a Japanese sword is impecably finished off..even the machine made Shin-Gunto has attention to detail.

Look at that tang. Lines all over the place, and rough grinding everywhere. You would never see that on a genuine sword unless it had been seriously messed with.

The kanji look wrong. Not even sure they say anything real. Didn't look too hard though..stopped at the finish on the nakago.

The rest doesn't look good either. Bad wrapping and tsuba missing parts. All parts look badly finished.

That's before we even get a look at the blade....

 

Brian

[Jamie]

Link to Fake swords illustrated-

http://jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html

 

Learning what to look for can be a task. A worthy one though. The more you know the more rewarding this pursuit becomes. One answer opens many more questions.

 

If you are seriously interested you might consider buying and reading the following books.

 

Samurai Sword: A Handbook

~John Yumato

The Japanese Sword: A Comprehensive Guide (Japanese Arts Library)

~ Kanzan Sato

The Connoisseurs Book of Japanese Swords

~ Kokan Nagayama

 

I hope this helps

Jamie

[boz142]

A million thanks to all, do you mind if I post others I may come across on here also ?

Which Books are better to buy, I really like the NCO Swords and know enough to stay away from

China...

[boz142]

Thanks Jamie, just bought two of the three books

[moss]

Hi Tim,

 

Nice book to start off with for military collectors is Military Swords of Japan 1868-1945 by Richard Fuller and Ron Gregory.

 

Light reading ,plenty of pic's and details on arsenal stamps etc

 

Try and pick up a used one it won't break the bank and will probably help save some cash.

 

I would try Craig at the address below.

Tell him you are a member and he is sure to look after you.

That is if he has a copy.

 

 

http://www.bridgeofdreams.com

 

Happy hunting

Moss