Retroject

Hey Jeffery, I believe this is the safest option. Most woods from overseas can be checked here, and most types are safe for import. Depending on material it may need to be fumigated for wood borers, but once done, will be released quite quickly. Good luck with the hunt. Warrick

Hi Jean, Yeah, it's really strict part of Australian Quarantine Rules. There are ways around it, but involves lots of paperwork and expense. It's basically designed so that real antiques with prohibited substances can only be imported by museums and government departments. Most of this needs to be completed also prior to the artefact leaving the shore of origin. When my Grandfather died it took me $1200 and almost 18months to be able to bring into Australia an heirloom which contained ivory. Warrick

I believe this mei translation Sukehiro - but I can't find a mei to compare it with. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks Warrick P.S. just noticed previous post http://www.militaria.co.za/nihontomessa ... php?t=2270, but any help on this particular mei, greatly received.

Hi Jeffery, Sorry for the lateness of my post, and you've probably work out all your answers by now, but I just wanted to remind readers of something often forgotten when it comes to importing. Customs is one thing, but you really have to keep quarantine in mind too. If a saya or any other attachment to the sword is made from an endangered or protected spieces, the item will be confiscated and distroyed. No ifs, no buts. If for example it is wrapped in shark-skin, you will need to make sure that its not great white, or grey nurse or any of the other protected spieces. Australian Quarantine are especially strict on this. If in doubt, always try to have the sword inspected prior to import, or have the sword mounted in fresh mounts. Hope this helps everyone. Cheers Warrick

Thanks for the help Bernie

Thank you very much for your help. Can anyone offer any additional help about the maker??

Newbie needs help with information on an arsenal stamp on gunto tsuba. There is also a mei on the right if it helps I can try to get a better pic.

Newbe needs help translating mei. Thanks

Some time ago I bought a shin-gunto wak, from a local who I now believe had acquired it from Ebay. Closer examination leads me to believe the fittings have come from another blade, though they are a very good fit. The seppa are a complete set of matching numbers though different from the koiguchi and I'm thinking that they have put them together with the blade to increase it's final value, and make the blade more attractive I'm thinking about selling it now and want others opinions as to whether I should sell the fittings seperately from the blade and possibly from the tsuka. Any ideas guys???

Some time ago I bought a shin-gunto wak, from a local who I now believe had acquired it from Ebay. Closer examination leads me to believe the fittings have come from another blade, though they are a very good fit. The seppa are a complete set of matching numbers though different from the koiguchi and I'm thinking that they have put them together with the blade to increase it's final value. I'm thinking about selling it now and want others opinions as to whether I should sell the fittings seperately from the blade and possibly from the tsuka. Any ideas guys???