reeder

Here are some pictures of my buddy's sword. I'll be working on the translation this afternoon after my treatment. (Got "shu" for 2nd character and "kane" for 2nd to last character off top of my head). -Brandon

I'll give it a go this weekend. We all know I need as much practice as I can get lol. I thought the same thing in terms of price. Was tryin to think of a realistic offer but I'm sure anything realistic will just make the guy upset. I'd like a Kyu-Gunto (and a Kai-Gunto) though. Trying to sell a couple of German mausers to fund the next sword Thanks again for all of your help, I'll post my findings when I finish translating. -Brandon

It came up for sale and I asked how much it was. Guy said "$25,000". I was curious in translation. Was thinking last mei was either Yoshi or Yuki. These are the only 2 pics I got, at $25,000 I didn't bother to ask for more. This picture isn't much better. Is the tag a surrender tag? No clue what the translation is but thanks! :D -Brandon

Interested in the translation of both the blade and the tag. Took a break on studying Kanji since the holidays and ban talks. Need to get back to it. As always, thank you gentlemen. -Brandon

Thank you! Actually found it right when you posted. -Brandon

Alright, got a pic of the actual mei this time around. I'm at Noshu ju Murayama Kane? Saku (thank Jean!). Just missing what's after Kane. Have looked all through the Japanese Sword Index Showa database and missed it like a moron or similar mei is not there. -Brandon

Did not find a Murayama Kaneyoshi, but Murayama Kaneshige instead. Guess be better if I actually had a pic of the tang. -Brandon

Please delete.

More pictures can be found here in better quality. http://share.shutterfly.com/share/recei ... Ro1bsmjCtA -Brandon

Brian, Did you purchase this from a gentlemen in Dallas, TX (can tell from the pictures)? Clay right? He, like the eBay seller Showa shills (bids up from other accounts) his items he posts on eBay. I have been watching his latest posts and it closed at $1,300 (shin gunto) and within the hour it was reposted with a fixed price of $1,695. I have been watching Showa's swords too, just for research purposes, however I have noticed most of his blades are reposted if you watch long enough. For example, he currently has or had a Koa Isshin Mantetsu for sale that I swear sold a month ago. I guess it's hard to determine FMV when it's being manipulated. There is a gentlemen here, Ed (can't remember his user name), that has a pretty good website. I'm new to this and learning myself but he has some pretty interesting pieces IMO. Plus, he's a really nice guy. He's got one piece that I would like to buy but need to sell a couple of K98Ks I'm bored with. I do like that Kai Gunto a lot as I am collecting primarily militaria for now and would like one myself. Don't get me wrong, I would definitely prefer Nihonto over non-traditional blades, I'm just going with what I'm comfortable with for now and trying to broaden my knowledge base, which the gentlemen in this forum are so kind to share with us. Like most I'm sure, need a few more zeroes at the end of the salary to really feed the hunger. :D -Brandon

Well, I ended up passing for now but got the guy's contact info so may try contacting him later. Thanks a ton Brian for your help. I was trying to sell some other stuff I had to make room for new stuff but didn't sell a thing. Since no extra cash I guess it worked out for the best. No one was buying or selling all weekend. -Brandon

Brian, You think so even with my description? Can't take pictures at these shows. -Brandon

Sitting at a show and a gentlemen walked up with an Emura officers sword, mounts are nice but blade could use a polish. It's got some black stuff at tip of blade, no nicks and some foggy film over most of blade. Guess I need people to talk sense into me to not buy or go ahead and pull the trigger. Might try to trade some stuff for it if possible but he's asking $1200. Thanks a ton! -Brandon

1 more. -Brandon

Got around to taking some better pics of my tsuba that are much clearer (hopefully lol). These are the fittings that came on a sword a purchased a couple of months ago. Not sure if the things on the fuchi & kashira (i sure hop that's right) are bats, birds, turtles or what. Been looking for some menuki that match since the handle was missing them when purchased but haven't seen any pop up on eBay or other websites. -Brandon

Recently received an email from a posting I had up in regards to this blade. Looks like someone tried to clean the blade from the pics and habaki is cracked. In general, this one gives me an icky feeling. Never helps when you're sent low-quality cell phone pics. Will take me some time to try and translate too. -Brandon

Congrats on your sale. Was following it on eBay to see how it did and from what it sounds like you did a little better than you were hoping. -Brandon

Matt, very nice on all three. I like the fact you have/had a number of variants. -Brandon

I guess after a couple of posts and help received from some of the gentlemen on this forum I could formally introduce myself My name is Brandon and I started collecting WWII memorabilia after receiving my grandfather's fairbairn sykes fatman that was given to him from a family friend returning from Italy in 1946. I've always enjoyed military history and began researching the knife and found great pleasure doing so. My next military purchase was at a garage sale shortly after in which I purchased a Japanese Arisaka T99 Nagoya No Series & bayonet. At first my collection, which is not quite extensive as I am relatively new to collecting, began with bayonets and fighting knives. I have a friend at work (Al/Pabbi) who's brother collects similar items and Al and his brother have collected Tsubas/Swords for some time and really turned me on to them just by talking about them. I made my 1st purchase of a wakizashi (see my other posts) on eBay along with a number of bayonets. I liked it so much, I purchased an officers blade at a local gun show made by Yoshimasa (special thanks to Jean for the translation assistance) followed by the purchase of an NCO sword and bare blade made by Ido Hidetoshi (special thanks to Bruno, Koichi & Mr. Bowen). I am awaiting a 5th blade that my uncle picked up for me which is a pilot's/tanker gunto. He and my father used to trade Japanese swords in the 70s and said they've bought and sold hundreds of them. Since I have started collecting, they always keep their eyes out for me. Part of what I've always liked in collecting is that I compare it to treasure hunting. I like to search the wild for treasures (garage sales, etc.) and it's always a rush to find something out there. I like to research what I've found or just general items. In general, collecting and researching these items have brought me great pleasure and have allowed me to focus my thoughts in a very interesting area and it keeps my mind occupied while living with MS & chronic pain. I keep saying this, but the people here have been extremely kind to me and I hope in 20-30 years I will have a fraction of the knowledge as the individuals here in which I may help new collectors as well. I know my blades are focused around WWII era, but it is the focus of what I collect and would like to move into more of the Nihonto blades as I become more sophisticated. I know a lot of the advice is to buy, study, sell, upgrade, study, sell, upgrade, etc. My problem is that I get too attached to the things I like and I don't want to sell. -Brandon

I usually just find junk at garage sales. Only once did I find a Japanese Arisaka Nagoya no series rifle (no mum sadly), a bayonet, and leather rifle case all for $20. That was 2 years ago and have not seen anything cool since. This one is staying with me since it was one of my first military finds and deals. Waiting for the Type 14 to return from the gunsmith (and hoping it's not butchered when I get it back from a missing extractor) and will take a picture of the Japanese collection. Anyways, nice find. If you're like me the thrill of the hunt and finding the stuff out in the wild is just as much fun as researching what you've found and finding all the information related to it. Both have been very helpful to positively focus energy and keeping my mind off of chronic pain and MS. -Brandon

I try to get close ups with the camera but can't ever get it to focus as you can see from my close ups. My phone actually focuses and has 8mp camera, which is why I've been using my phone over the camera. Jean, I know you were messing with me. Your comment about a dirty piece of metal on a pink cloth cracked me up. -Brandon

B-E-A-utiful, Stu. Are you also on the Wehrmacht forums? Did you see the guy selling the 5 swords, one being Koa Isshin Mantetsu, one fake (that he ended up selling on eBay as original after being told it was fake), etc. I guess he had everyone bidding against each other and he wouldn't price it. Oh well, Steve F. was really annoyed (I talk to him a lot at the shows, really cool guy with a ton of knowledge on a ton of different things). I can't wait to get my short sword from my uncle. I just hope he doesn't get the urge or need to sell it before I go down there. -Brandon

The photos: I think this is an old and dirty tent in pink with some metal bar on it. Honestly, there is not much to be seen. Have a look at the other threads and compare how photos should be made! :lol: You're always ragging on my photos. My 7 mp camera outdated very quickly and now use my phone instead since it gets clearer photos. I'm also assuming you mean how the pics are actually taken in terms of angles, what is in pic, lighting, etc. Planning a sword photo session with my friend and his high dollar camera soon. Will update shutterfly with pics and share. hopefully between the 2 of us we can get a couple right in regards to the tent, i believe it may be a medical tent since the guy i got it from was PFC 22 1st Med. 11th A.B. (according to the shipping crate). -Brandon

Thanks guys. It's actually something my uncle picked up and said he would give to me if I wanted it, I told him of course I want it. These were the only pics he had and I will get some, hopefully with friend's camera vs my phone, when I get it up from him. He said the guy he picked it up from said it had been in his family and sat in the attic for at least 35 years. I know those stories are not always necessarily true and the fact it looks like the sword was raided for the menuki (I agree with you on that one) makes the sitting in the attic for 35 years questionable, but I’m going to be happy with it. -Brandon

Very nice!