Brian

Except these are usually not damascus anyways, but an etched pattern.

To me it just looks like an outer layer of a thin non-ferrous sheet metal, that has been punched from behind to give a nanako type effect, soldered or applied to the center metal. Poorly done, the gaps are where the outside sheet metal didn't fill the whole tsuba.

Aside from the fake damascus pattern, it has acid etched characters on the blade. 110% Fake. Oh, and the offset machi.

Bad Chinese fake

Yeah, it's a sign up (free) forum. But that sword has pages of info about the one shown there, so may be worth the quick sign up.

Compare: https://www.wehrmach...shingunto-gift-sword

Nothing some JB Weld won't fix Yes..lots like that in Japan. When they find them, they destroy them and sell the koshirae. Lots of yari poles too, with blades that have been destroyed, saw many. Sad, but laws are laws, and dealers are afraid.

Good looking kozuka.

Patrice, Agree with you in many ways, but I'm sure you understand any social media platform representing a community has to go through the good and the bad, censoring one side only presents one side and doesn't do much good for the community. Some choose to ignore it, and not respond and then there is only one side to a story. I prefer it when people engage with the public and then we know they are approachable, and get to hear both sides. Obviously some have an issue with certain things, but if you search your name here, there are many good compliments on your shows and work and items, and people can make up their own minds. One or 2 people are always going to have an issue with a seller or person in the community, but most people will weigh up all the facts and decide for themselves. I can't comment on the above issue, but from what I have heard, I would have you work on my blades without worry. As John said, owning the mistake goes a long way to solving issues.

Shakudo is bronze colored until it is patinated. It's mainly copper with some gold. Hard to tell copper apart from brass sometimes when it's polished.

Have you considered that this isn't brass, but shakudo? I mean without any patina, that's what it looks like. It's unusual to find plain brass tsuba. I'm all for patination. I think polished brass looks less than pleasant on an antique. At the very least, I'd patina it with ammonia fumes IF it's just brass. But something tells me it isn't.

I think there is likely zero chance this is anything more than just a common, and very bad, fake. And even less chance that this is anything made for military use anywhere. The way the markings are done isn't even close to military style. I'd put money on it.

Combination of good work, and what seems to be a museum acquisition number, which would indicate it was good enough to be in a museum at some point. Valid or not...that would be the thinking by buyers. Certainly looks to be a competent piece, even before you look at the mei.

Than you Jason, and everyone who allows this site to continue to do what we do. We're not perfect, but everyone here tries their best. Appreciate the support, and all the best with your collecting.

This has always been a huge no-no for shipping tsuba. The seller should know better. I would take it up with him, and ask for a partial refund. Speak to one of Ford's students, I am sure they can repatinate it that you'll never know.

@cluckdaddy76 Jason, There are 3 payment methods. Credit card via Payfast, manual Wise payment if you contact me, and Paypal. If you choose Paypal, I believe you have the option of a subscription that automatically renews, or a one time payment. Automatic renewals can be controlled in your Paypal account, and cancelled or viewed. I see you do not have an automatic renewal set, and your renewal invoice was just sent out, so check for the email. If you choose to renew (always greatly appreciated for the support) then you can do a Paypal payment, or you can use one of the payment methods in the "Donate" tab above the forum and message me, and I'll allocate it manually. People are welcome to contact me if they need help with anything, or a credit card Payfast request to be sent etc etc Hope this clarifies. Brian

Which I eventually censored myself and deleted, and what exactly did that comment of yours add to this thread in the Nihonto section? You're looking for excuses to be able to post personal jibes? Thought we were over that.

Moriyama san, are the laws in Japan allowing deactivated firearms, or are they completely banned there?

Scroll to the top of the forum, that whole horizontal list of things like Browse, Activity, Store, Donations etc? If you are on a cellphone (stop doing that) then you might have to click the menu at the top right.

Impossible to say without seeing pics.

If you are talking about the 2 items above, there is no such thing as menuki for it. It's not a tanto. The blades/kogatana are a loose fit, and are usually "glued" in with pine pitch etc. But it's normal to have a loose fit, it is only in there by friction.

Congrats Nicholas, we all wish you well and success in your venture. Added to the links.

Oli, It is indeed, and I stand corrected on the possibility. However that one is clearly signed as a Showato with arsenal stamp, so I still maintain that if it was a Showato...it would have likely been signed by a wartime smith, as we don't see many mumei Showato. But obviously the possibility is there, just have to weigh up the probability.

https://buyee.jp/?lang=en

No Franco. In this case, it is for someone to prove that it isn't traditionally made. How many Showato have you seen in these mounts? The sword is Japanese, it isn't a Chinese repro, we can see that much. Gimei maybe, but that isn't the point here. Do you think someone would take the time and effort to mount a Showato in these custom built mounts? For what purpose? When you look at a Japanese sword that is in non-Gunto mounts, do you assume it's oil quenched until someone proves otherwise? What can be seen of the hamon also doesn't tie in with arsenal blades, and since this doesn't appear to be a Meiji period mass produced export sword, and the nakago is well finished and shaped, I don't think it's unfair to default to Occam's Razor until proven otherwise.