Real or not? And reliable seller? (Shin Gunto, AU seller)

[Drago]

Hi,

 

I found this on eBay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/200667015608

Supposed Ichihara Nagamitsu in Type 44 mounts. With Osaka Arsenal stamp.

 

What is your opinion? Is it real. I checked Stein's JSI and the mei looks similar, but his scans aren't the best quality.

 

Seller is called anzacblade and based in Australia. Does anyone know him?

 

If it's real I might perhaps be interested, but only if it stays affordable...

 

[huntershooter]

It certainly appears to be an authentic Ichihara Nagamitsu blade.

I have no knowledge of this seller, however I'm certain some of the "Oz" contingent will be of help (George san?).

[Surfson]

I don't know this seller, but he has a history of over 400 transactions and a 100% approval rate. He lists a 14 day money back return and will pay shipping. He also takes Paypal, so you can protect the transaction. Sounds completely reliable to me. Signature looks ok to me, but I haven't studied it and don't know if anybody bothers to fake this maker.

[george trotter]

I have owned Nagamitsu in the past and the mei looks correct to me. I know of the seller, but have not personally dealt with him. As has been quite rightly mentioned, his record of sales and his terms and conditions of sale look quite creditable. Having said all this, the final judgement is yours alone.

Regards,

[Grey Doffin]

Tobias,

 

If it's real I might perhaps be interested, but only if it stays affordable...

 

More than likely real but these Showa era Nagamitsu bring silly money so it won't be affordable, and you can do much better than a Nagamitsu at the same or less money.

Grey

[cabowen]

you can do much better than a Nagamitsu at the same or less money.

Grey

 

Ain't that the truth!

[Lindus]

That could be said for many and include Yasakuni, Having said that I had six,two were excellent . nagamura Kiyonobu, had a few, one was superb with pretty much all the things ,Utsuri etc, that it should in theory not have had. Never understood the price of NCO swords, used to buy for £40...........except the copper hilt one which I sold for £70 which now make in excess of £1000.

Mantetsu blades in old days described as made from Manchurian railway lines were frowned upon, now not so, easy to rubbish these and others based on the old "it has to be Koto" scenario.

Roy

[cabowen]

That could be said for many and include Yasakuni,

 

Most consider Yasukuni as a group the best of the WWII era blades; I know of several that were re-worked and given Tokubetsu Hozon. There is a dealer who swears to me that there is at least one that has been awarded Juyo. At $5000-$6000 for an in polished example, I don't think they are really over priced, especially in comparison to the Emura and Nagamitsu one sees sell for $3000+ out of polish.....Any top gendai smith, Horii, Tsukamoto, Gassan, Kasama, etc., is in the $6000-$8000 range these days, in polish....

[Lindus]

Appreciate what you say but of those that I have had,most polished, they are realy boreing swords. Have a good feeling that these like many are promoted beyound their real worth by the dealers in the sword market.

Roy

[Ted Tenold]

I'll concur with Grey and Chris. Searching outside Ebay can yeild some very good pieces in the price vacinity. The consistency of quality with which the Yasukuni and Minatogawa smiths produced swords makes for a better reputation, and overall chance of getting a nice piece if it's not in good polish. Plus, all these guys were coming from long established lines of swordsmiths with a fair amount of comingling between them and their students.

 

I'd also add to Roy's comment in that Nagamitsu blades tend to run a wide gammut in quality of forging, heat treating, and shaping. I've seen more than a few that had yakiba that were hajimi, sleepy, or just plain nioi-giri. Buying them on based on on-line images in poor wartime polish can be risky. Hedging the risk by buying form a supportive seller is optimal. On the other hand I've see a few that were very nice too, and one with hada that was actually garrish.

 

I think the price of swords like Mantetsu, Nagamitsu and Emura were originally fueled by those that wanted good cutting swords, i.e. practitioners, and the background stories of the makers. It seems lately that the Militaria collectors are driving the prices of these swords now as the pool of nicer examples gets shallower over time. I bought my first Nagamitsu in *mint* mounts, and it was a nice blade too, for $250.00.

[David Flynn]

I have to disagree about Yasukunito. Though made with Tamahagane, many come with flaws. I have seen some, mainly special order swords, that are magnificent. On the whole though, even Yasukunito should be judged on the individual sword and not the name. Also, I disagree with them being superior on the whole, unless one is taking oil tempered into consideration.

[cabowen]

even Yasukunito should be judged on the individual sword and not the name.

 

Can't argue with that statement but as a group, we know:

 

-All the smiths were professionals with good teachers

-They were made in the traditional manner with high quality tamahagane and sakite

-They were put through a rigorous shinsa and the smiths were rewarded for good work

-They had the full financial support and backing of the military

 

No other group can claim the above. This, in my opinion, sets them apart, and as a group, above all the others.

 

No doubt there were blades made, especially toward the end of the war, with flaws. Having seen at least a hundred or more of these, from the sample I have seen, I can say without reservation that as a group they are at a standard above any other working during the war....

[Surfson]

I just picked up a collection of swords that includes a Minatogawa Masatada. It is quite well made, but I do have to agree that it has a certain quiet to it (shibui or nemui....it's a matter of taste). b

[cabowen]

I just picked up a collection of swords that includes a Minatogawa Masatada. It is quite well made, but I do have to agree that it has a certain quiet to it (shibui or nemui....it's a matter of taste). b

 

Minatogawa blades are also usually quite nice though in my experience they are not, in general, on quite the same level as consistently as the Yasukuni blades.

 

Many people poo-poo Yasukuni blades as quiet or boring....Some of the most famous and treasured swords of all are also very quiet....

[David Flynn]

Chris what you say is quite true. Though from 1937 on, the demand for swords increased and the quality of Yasukunito dropped as a result. This is even more evident post 1941. Again except for special order.

[cabowen]

Chris what you say is quite true. Though from 1937 on, the demand for swords increased and the quality of Yasukunito dropped as a result. This is even more evident post 1941. Again except for special order.

 

 

I am curious as to what you base that opinion on? What is your sample size?

 

From what I have seen, it was only very late (1944-1945) that there is a clear drop in quality. I agree the best seem to have been made early on, but up until the end of the war, they are still, as a group, better on average than what you see coming from any other school.....If you don't agree with that, then which group do you think did produce on a higher level, on average?

[David Flynn]

Yes sample size. I have seen many Yasukunito, polished and unpolished. Most have kizu.

[cabowen]

Yes sample size. I have seen many Yasukunito, polished and unpolished. Most have kizu.

 

How many is many?

 

I've owned a dozen or so and have seen easily a hundred or more. Few had kizu...Maybe all the bad ones went to Australia.... :lol:

[David Flynn]

Sorry Chief inquisitor , you've caught me out.