Alex A

Recently speaking to a collector in the UK, he was saying the dealer in Japan wanted to state "antique" on a modern sword that he is importing. Quite surprising really, the dealer should know better. Perhaps not familiar with UK lately. I get why they might want to do this and would understand the importer kind of agreeing with the idea. Told him honesty is the best policy with customs. If they ask for proof of age then it could go pear shaped, especially when looking at other import disasters over the last few years. Said this was the description to use, from Darcys write-up TRADITIONALLY MADE Japanese CULTURAL ARTWORK BY (smiths name) And add customs tariff number which is 9705.00.00.90 Just in case anyone considering the idea,

I'm told the dealer received the permit, took 6 weeks.

Bought a similar Saotome from Eric some years ago. WOW, scary prices on those types nowadays. 25_Tsuba Saotome 3 — Owazamono

I know its an horimono thread, but if folks like dragon carving, good example here. Dragon tsuba signed Hirado-Ju Kunishige - Sold Archive - Nihonto Message Board (militaria.co.za)

For a minute, was thinking about Kuwana blades. Though not the same. Kuwana blades (ksky.ne.jp)

I imagine that its just very small areas of the surface that have failed to patina or eroded patina. For reasons such as wear and handling, rust flaking off and what not.

I'm not very savvy with money Lewis. Though i think i did open an account a few years ago and never used it, possibly a different company. Will look into it, cheers.

Agree prices have remained the same and now is a good time to buy due to the weaker Yen. Ordered a tanto to be made and agreed on a price. A little concerned the Yen rate will have changed by the time its made and i will be hit with a kick in the nuts lol

Thanks Thomas, il pass that on.

This used to take two weeks tops, have a friend that's been waiting 5 weeks. Anyone else noticed? and know the reason?

Surely a sword should have a polish that is satisfactory enough after polish without having to attempt to enhance it oneself..

For me, the risk outweighs any potential reward. Horses for courses as always.

I was thinking what Bazza/Piers mentioned, a wall gun. Never seen one up close but saw a mechanism for one at an arms fair a while ago, it was massive, especially compared to the standard sizes. This one. price was a lot cheaper at the fair. A Flintlock Mechanism for a Wall Gun (garthvincent.com)

I dunno John, guessing very few in the UK. Quite a few stores sold wall hangers back in the 80s. Just thought id take a look, forgot i have a Ninja sword too, thats actually pretty decent made with a 440 Stainless steel blade. Sadly under UK law now then i guess ownership of my first sentimental swords is now a bit dodgy. I know this site is for real Nihonto but as a kid barely into his teens, they made a few xmas days very special Ito actually not too bad lol

Edit, thought someone had added seki gane but now ive got the glasses on.

Also the patina of the nakago looks fake. Mei is on the wrong side for a Tachi. Nut and bolt mekugi peg is a new one, never seen that before. Ps, these always get called fakes but i don't think a lot of them were meant to deceive. Back in the 80s most folks just wanted ornamental wall hangers, these sufficed. In my eyes , many are not good enough to be called fakes. I still have one, kept it for sentimental reasons, blades not even magnetic, must be aluminum or something

Guessing that they were done as a quick and shoddy way to tighten up the fit and stop things rattling around, with regards wrong thickness seppa. Though just a guess.

Its difficult to help with a price because you give us so little info. Never seen a Koto Katana in koshirae, in the state its in for less than £1200 in the UK. Whether that helps or not, dunno.

Original nakago is what i meant, Jean

An idiot question, whilst talking kabuto Is there a way of knowing whether an helmet was made for a Samurai or an Ashigaru ?

Hello, yes, its a shortened Katana. Maybe shortened after damage, a crack maybe. It could well be Koto Obviously, the nakago is missing which would have been a great help. The jigane to me looks like large itame with some nagare, rather than pure masame. Here is a good link that will help you understand a little, even throws some schools in. KANTEI 2 – JIGANE & JIHADA #2 | Markus Sesko

Would say no, not from Japan. What happens is buyers ask for lower shipping quotes so that means less insurance cover. The fault then lies with the buyer who is out of pocket should an item get lost or stolen. My experience is folks really do not like to pay extra for insurance, as what could be a £60 tracked service can easily turn into a £300 plus service. Depends on the item and how valuable it is verses risk. Ps, Our service, when still delivering swords did not insure antiques anyways. A good few years ago when they did insure, that's when things got expensive. Not so far off the price of specialist shippers i mentioned earlier.

We are spoiled in this game as there is still so many items about in good condition, so very lucky. If the helmet above was a ancient Greek Corinthian helmet, in the same condition, imagine the interest from wealthy collectors. The helmet above is in poor condition, but still an untouched piece of history. Its not easy placing your items on forums for discussion, thanks to the OP for doing so. That goes for anyone else too.

85% success rate sucks, to be honest. Good advice. Would only do bank transfer with known and trusted dealers, not many really. Having a tanto made in Japan at the moment. They say if they cant deliver it due to courier issues, they will drop it here themselves, that's service.

Ps, Had bother working out whether a small cannon barrel i had was either bronze or brass. After reading online, will state what others know is obvious. Bronze heads towards red and brass towards yellow appearance, not always easy to tell from images. Bronze has a more copper colour appearance. Also, about the stock, got be really wide to accommodate that flared muzzle. Was thinking cut from a rifle stock but then changed mind