Brian

No, definitely not.

Some very nice work there!

Knife collectors will tell you that few of us keep expensive knives in their leather sheaths. Often the steel handles it well, but the brass fittings can suffer. I'm with Ed, you won't know what your leather supplier used, best to be safe.

Brilliant detective work as always Moriyama san

I have been advised of the passing of Brian Klingbile (Username Winchester) by his wife. She had this to say: "This is Brian's wife, Sarah.....Unfortunately, Brian has passed away. Thank you so much for providing such a wonderful forum. Brian was new to collecting, and was excited not only to connect with others with similar passions, but to have access to learning opportunities for his new passion. What you have here is amazing, and I wanted to let you know that you make a positive impact on people's lives even if you don't hear this on a regular basis. Thank you for being so welcoming to Brian. I have attached Brian's obituary in case you or anyone else was interested in it. I don't know who Brian all connected with (or to what level), so I will leave announcing or contacting others up to you. I am comfortable with this information being shared. https://www.zimmerfuneralhome.com/obituaries/brian-klingbile " Our condolences go out to those who knew him, may he RIP.

Leather is the easiest to fake, seen sooo many fake swords with what looks like 80 year old leather. Wet molded and aged a bit, and it looks ancient. I suspect they have people who do just that all day. Some fake combat covers look better than the real thing. I'm guessing labour and materials are so cheap there, that it means nothing to do a half decent job. Either way, your next one will be better. But it's vital to look at some real ones, then the fakes become very very obvious.

AI is full of shit. That's the bottom line. It's clearly a repro, and that was fairly clear without the nakago. We are very far from a world where AI can give you an accurate assessment of swords.

It is, as far as I know. I'll message you contact details of the owner.

Phew. That is about as basic as it gets....wow. Interesting sear arrangement though, first homemade pistol I've seen with that through-sear like that. Would work well as a percussion piece.

Yeah, It's authentic. Just out of polish and of mediocre quality. But likely a good pickup if the hamon is still there.

He does appear to be saying "woe is me"

I don't think there is a way, unfortunately. Maybe on the new software.

Yeah, these were definitely not acquired in Japan, as they would have been very illegal there.

It's interesting that the tsuba was signed after the sekigane was added. This means the tsuba was originally made with it installed, for later fitting by the owner. We tend to think of tsuba being made to fit after they were purchased but this shows (if shoshin) that they could be made with that already installed for fitting to your blade. hmm

Looks like a WW2 Kai Gunto tsuba, part of a set of various numbered fittings used on the more mass produced Naval swords in WW2. How it ended up in CT I have no idea. That is a very weird one.

Gerry, you HAVE to try to post correctly please. You can't keep posting the way you are, as it's hard to read. Not sure why you haven't got the hang of this. When you read a post, at the bottom is a box, you type your reply, then click submit. There is nothing more you need to do. Tell us if you are posting from a pc or your phone. But it works the same way. You just type...click submit. Nothing complicated.

Bear in mind that false signatures have been done for centuries, and a false signature is not only common, but doesn't make the tsuba fake. It's a very nice tsuba showing some different techniques, and would be a decent addition to a collection. Your grandfather had good taste, and tsuba collectors know that without papers, any tsuba has a chance of having a spurious mei, but that each is judged on its own merits. You have a nice genuine tsuba with an unproven signature. Enjoy it.

So where is convenient to stay if you are exhibiting? Don't want to be Ubering everywhere just to get there and back. Any recommendations that are convenient and still decent?

Anyone who has been before, has it been in this location previously and is the hotel it's in the best option for staying at?

Can't disagree with anything Brett said. It is truly an astonishing book and one of the best I have ever seen.

This is gold! Huge thanks to those involved. This is a great resource to anyone who studies Nihonto, well done.

You're a star Trystan! Many thanks!

Yip, sorry

Sigh. I have an open mind, really I do. But this is weaponry. Yes, it's art...but the basis is still weaponry. How his forte for inclusiveness and the avantgarde in art is going to assist in his efforts to present Japanese swords, Lord only knows. Perhaps we will have a thesis on the sword as symbol of Japanese virility or how a Samurai's sword compensated for his lack of manhood. Maybe I should just keep quiet. Oh dear. Edit to add: Oh dear. Above I said "his forte..." and "his efforts" I meant of course "their" forte and efforts. Wouldn't want the internet to cancel me.

Bottom of the thread, there is a box. Just type your reply in there. Then click Submit reply.