blackhatcadillac

Thanks Keith

One more thing: is that waterey effect produced by acid etching?

Aw, thanks guys. A little sad, but it didn't cost much at all. I picked it up at an estate sale because I thought (and still do) that it's aesthetically pleasing. I thought it might have been Chinese. At least now I won't feel nervous about removing the hilt for a better look at the tang

Apologies if this in any way violates board etiquette -- I'm very new, and though I've read the FAQs, apologies nonetheless just in case. I've come into possession of a sword that I think -- I mean my best guess -- is that it's a shin-gunto, maybe or maybe not made with an older blade. I haven't had the guts to disassemble the hilt yet. It measures just shy of 30 inches from guard to tip, and ten inches for the hilt. There's an inscription on the hilt, however, that makes me wonder -- it reads 四 川 美 仁 仙 (sì chuān měi rén xiān) which makes me think it has a Chinese origin, in Sichuan province. I've posted pictures here: https://picasaweb.google.com/blackhatca ... directlink If anybody has any hints as to what I have, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks! Richard