reeder

Thanks for posting here as well. I hope no one is duped into purchasing this blade.

Here's a link to the sword. http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=261806884182 I wonder if it's the same arsenal that made the K star bayonets. http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/showthread.php?t=370911

Books are now on the way along with a number of other references I've been needing to buy . I guess I feel more rushed than I really am.

Sloughs page 194 & http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/rank.htm

Here's one I haven't seen.

Thanks!

Anyone have a copy of the above reference and wouldn't mind send me a pic or scan?

The smart thing to do would be to quickly flip them to Chris or Kronos without messing with them for the quick gain knowing what he's picking them up for, assuming they were both serious and his intent is to make some money. If these are in those price ranges, I don't see someone like Josh being able to pull those kinds of prices on his own without consigning them to a reputable dealer who has the connections and knows the market for these types of swords, and potentially waiting for some time for them to sell. As one of my mentors always says, "a quick dime is better than a slow quarter." Now if he wants to keep them, that's good too. He will have some nice pieces to study, research, get interested in the hobby and maybe turn out to be a new collector, something that I see a lot of discussion here over the concerns of attracting new people to the hobby. In regards to asking for help, I doubt there are many of us, if any that haven't asked for and received help and ended up better off after the fact at some point. In this case, there is a good opportunity and not enough time to study up to make an informed decision without asking. It's probably one of those pull the trigger or the deal is lost scenarios. And again, it might attract a new collector by helping him out. I started buying and selling bayonets for extra $ to buy guns (buy for $10 sell for $20-$30 each). Then I got into certain bayonets and started upgrading, made enough to get into fighting knives. Bought and sold fighting knives keeping the ones I liked, made enough to start buying swords. Bought and sold some here and there keeping the ones I like and now trying to start upgrading my collection. I've had help all along the way and anytime anyone asks for help I'm more than happy to share what I may or may not know. I know this is different with swords, but I always like to give kids that show interest in military stuff a knife, bayonet, flag, helmet or something I may have on my table that they're messing with. A $100 knife might not seem like much, but it's fun watching their eyes get big and hopefully it leads them to entering the hobby later in life. Plus, I like to think it's good karma. One of my buddy's son refuses to take anything for free from me so I tell him it's going to cost him a whole dollar. He's probably 7 or so, and his dad has him shake on it and thank me for the deal every time. Feel like this dragged on. I think it's time to get some sleep and quit rambling...

Just got back in town. Here's some pics similar to yours.

How was the show this year? Good sales for those setting up? Lots of swords? Pictures?

Looks ok IMO, these can be had in the $100-$150 range in the states.

Try easing the screws out and removing the handle. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

It looks like its held together by the border but not sure how to tell if 3 different pieces. The border looks like a separate piece from the rest of the tsuba. Would this be early Edo? Or late muromachi/momoyama?

James, I forget you're here in town. I think you're right that it'd be a money loser. Steve and Michelle tried keeping the FTW militaria show going after Bill Nagasi quit running it. After not even covering costs they just dropped it. Seems like it's tough to keep the excitement going on a lot of collectables right now.

I recently acquired this tsuba. And help/opinions would be greatly appreciated. I have included some close ups of some of the details.

Am I close on the translations? I have no idea what is after shichi and not sure if anything after ichi. from what I could find on kanabo masasada, tensho might be a little after his time. were there 2nd/3rd gen smiths with this signature? is the date tenbun vs tensho? maybe Nanto Kanebo hyoejō masasada.

hope it's been a good show so far. let's get some more pictures.

additional pics attached. Date: Tensho Shichi ? Nen Ichi ? Gatsu Jyu Go Hi Smith: Nanto Kanebo saemonjo masasada (thanks, Chris!)

I'm struggling with this, used to my 2-4 Mei on wwii blades. TIA. Posted couple pics of tsuba as well.

Agree with no Russia or Italy. Have had deadbeat US buyers with good feedback too.

Very nice.

a great looking blade

Any thoughts on if this would be worthwhile having papered? Or is it like the emura and nagamitsu blades that everyone knows they are what they are and papering them doesnt really do much for them?

Between the habaki and the zodiac date, I'm going with mantetsu.

Here's a couple pics of the blade. I am still terrible at blade pics.