RocklockI

What would it be other than cast? It certainly was not filed out of a billet of bronze . I've never heard of a "forged bronze barrel" . I don't pretend to be very knowledgable in Japanese matchlocks. I do know a thing or two about casting bronze, sand and wax . Gary

Could it be that with no ha machi and a sort of tired look looking blade, that it has been polished several times? Gary ETA NEVER MIND! I hadnt read all posts and failed to see the above posts saying the same thing

Here is a gonne I made,it is a replica of the Morko Gonne made in about 1350 By a HUGE stroke of luck one of my Morkos made it to Sweden,then to the Swedish Milatary Museum. Then a meeting was arranged to meet his Great Grandad. It is a lost wax casting made from a positive that I made Gary

"No one would put a good blade in these rubbish mounts" I would like to know what constitutes "Rubbish mounts" , because I don't know. They look OK to me. But I proly am in the same boat as Bob . Thanks Gary

I am curious ,do these two pics give any details about the sword? Thanks Gray

It seems to me that my Wakizaki is just shy of 60.6cm . It seems a little like taking off the bayo lug off an AR15 as to be able to sell it and still be abiding the law. Would the second sword ever be within a cm or two of being a Katana ? It would seem to me that these were "Merchant" swords or Farmer swords pushing the leagal limit of the law? Gary

Here is a question. I would like to know the reasons/time frames for the two different types of wakizakis stlye blades ? My Kanbun Era sword has a Katana type blade . Alot of wakizakis have a swooping type tip with no yokte (breadknife style) Was this differance because of laws regulatings the carrying of swords? Gary

Those lines are an interesting , as a bronze caster those lines (parting lines) are one of the things any caster is aware of ! It is ALWAYS easier to clean them up in the wax . If they are not cleaned up it must have been intentional ...for whatever reason . Even a fake caster would know to clean them up. Gary

Here are the cell phone pics. The signiture is not visable . Gary It has a two piece habaki as well . The owner seemed well conected in the sword world. He said he has made tsuka for all his own swords. I am thinking about asking the man selling it to show me how to make tsuka and ito wrap if I were to buy it. He seemed interested that someone show interest in his sword and at least attempted to use the correct terms. So we'll see. Gary

I took two pics but they were on my cell phone and I can't down load them directly. I will try to get them online tonight. Gary

I was at the Tanner gun show today in Denver ,and at the last table on the last row of the whole darn show was a Wakizashi in shirasaya. I was told it was late Koto signed Tada Hiru. The gentleman who owned it had been collecting since the early 1960's and was a Marine ...so he and I hit it off right away. It was a nice blade with no flaws and the blade is 17" from munemachi notch to kisaki tip. Has anyone heard of this smith? Thank you, Gary

I would like to respond with a question. I could not offer an opinion on your post as I am a noob !!! Do you think the worn spot on the top photo From about 12:00 to 3:00 is from the left thumb of the wearer of the sword bearing on the tsuba? I've seen this on several tsuba and that was an explanation....? I am looking foward to the answer to your question as well as my own. Gary

I had the marking on the inside of the tsuka's leather protective cover translated . It is; Kata oka Hide mitsu Would that be the name of the pilot of the cover maker . I realize this is outside the norm of sword collecting ,but I wouldn't have any idea of were else to ask . Gary

I do intend on leaving it as is. I did not have the handle wrapped ,no clue who or when ? WWII is of great interest to me and Japanese swords as well. This sword combines them nicley. I will add an NCO sword and/or an Officers sword folded and hand forged, soonish.......? I don't want to collect many swords , just some nice ones that interest me. Gary

Thank you eveyone for the encouragment ! I will read more, I looked up Grey Doffin but was OVERwhelmed by the number of books and the prices ! I can not afford to spend alot of money without knowing that there will be some snippet.....anyway of Kanbun era late 1600's, Takada ,Bungo and/or something on the Fujiwara Tomiuki . If I understand ? The Takda ,Bungo,Kanbun era swords were plain artisticly ,but sometimes sought out for their cutting ablilities ? I have been told that Fujiwara is a family name AND a title. Also that Tomiuki was the founder of the Bungo school ,but back in Koto times. Then also that there were many variations on Yuki some as prefix and some suffix . Can someone tell me about the word Cyujosaki means as I was informed that that was also a title ? I will follow the suggestions given and pick out a book or two to study for now. Gary