RussellM

Thanks for the additional pic and comments, very much appreciated. I like the idea proposed by Matt H. I would certainly use it! Cheers

Thanks for the tips John, and the pic! I know what to look for now, at least as a starting point. Very much appreciated! Cheers

Thank you very much gents for your assessment, you have saved me from making a rather large mistake! They don't want $250, they want $520! Cheers from NZ Russ

Hi everyone, can you please take a look at this tassel and let me know if it is a reproduction or genuine? The tassel isn't mine but it is for sale at US$520. Any help greatly appreciated! Cheers Russ

Ken, many thanks for the link to that website, most interesting, and a great site for me to bookmark! John, thank you for your comments, they are very much appreciated. I agree with what you've said, I don't have it in hand and I thought the price was likely to be excessive for what we can see in the rather poor pics. I've decided to leave it and wait for something better to come along. When I do find something, I will post it here for appraisal. Thank you gentlemen! Cheers from NZ Russ

Overall length is just over 35cm and the cutting edge is 25.5cm. Cheers Russ

Hi everyone, This tanto is available for sale here in NZ and I'm interested in finding out more about it as I am considering buying it. There is some activity visible in the blade, it is not signed. Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated. These are the only pics that are available. A ballpark appraisal of value would also be appreciated - selling price on it here is around US$850, I don't know if that is accurate or not. Many thanks! Cheers Russ

Here are the menuki that I have, any info and appraisal of value you may have would be appreciated. (Please ignore the WW2 Army star). I will also take some closer pics of each piece if required. Regards Russ

Gents, thank you very much for your comments, and appraisal of their value - appreciated. I have a few other pieces, mainly menuki that I could use the same help with - should they be posted here? Regards Russ

Hi everyone, I'm looking for info on these fittings. I believe they are early Tanto fittings but would appreciate anything you can offer on these. I think the head is the demon witch? If anyone can indicate a value, that would be appreciated also. Regards Russ

Thankyou George - interesting story. I wonder where all these swords are now? http://www.ina.fr/histoire-et-conflits/ ... es.fr.html Kind regards Russ

Hi Clive - many thanks indeed. Email sent. Hello George, thankyou for your comments and advice. I'm not one that usually likes to mess with these things, preferring to leave them 'as found'. If/when I get the sword, I'll only remove it if it looks like it can be done without un-stitching or cutting. It would be nice to get a look at the saya, but perhaps it would be wiser to leave it alone, and wonder! Has anyone else encountered double leather covers? Any other thoughts? Thanks gents - very much appreciated. Kind regards Russ

Hello Clive! Many thanks for your most interesting reply! I had wondered whether the double layer might have been to add strength or to add extra protection to a fine saya, so I appreciate your thoughts. I saw a sword with this feature some time ago, and from memory it was an Army Officers shin-gunto, also with the leather hood. At the time I didn't notice the double leather scabbard but talking to the chap who owns it recently, he reminded me of it. It is one of three swords I am hoping to buy from him in the future when he is ready to sell. I will try and get some further info - I do not think he has removed the leather to view the scabbard, and I'm not sure if this is easily done, or recommended. Do you have any pics of your double leather and saya that you could show? Is it easy to remove the coverings from the saya or would it be un-wise to do so? Thanks! Kind regards Russ

Gents, has anyone ever encountered a sword with two leather covers on the saya? If so, would this be unusual or often seen? Many thanks. Russ

Many thanks for the info gents - much appreciated!

Hi George and John, thankyou very much for this information. And John, thanks for the link to your most interesting site - beautiful blades!! I will search for info on the oil-quenched method that was used to make this mass produced sword. Your help is most appreciated - thankyou.

Hi John, many thanks for your reply. I have carried out a search for the Chimata stamp, but I cannot find any information in the threads where it is mentioned, as to what it means. Can you offer any further assistance regarding the stamp and its significance?

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Greetings all, I'm a new member here and I am hoping you may be able to shed some information on the maker of this blade. I believe his name is Yoshichika. There are also two stamps on the nakago. I'm told this blade was made in March 1944, and it is in Type 3 Shin Gunto combat mounts, with a steel scabbard. Any info on the maker, the meaning of the stamps, and method of manufacture would be greatly appreciated. Pics to follow, taken by the previous owner: Regards Russ