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

Peter ,what books would you recomend that I read to learn more about my sword ? I have read, The Craft of the Japanese Sword by Leon and Hiroko Kap. IAI The Art of Drawing the Sword by Darrel Craig Volumes 1 and 2 of Samurai Swordsmanship by Dale S Kirby Thanks Gary

Here are some more photos. Origanal saya Tuska cover Is this the turn on the boshi? Last is what is written inside tsuka cover Gary

Hello ,I just joined the forum and would like to hear opinions on a sword I recently purchased. The story on this was that it was an airforce pilots sword . It has a leather covered saya but the Koshrie is not Gunto. The blade is 23 and 3/8" so it is a short katana or wakiziki . Thank you, Gary

I am 58 and been interested in Japanese swords most of my life . I have really only looked at swords at gunshows and in books ,that has been a problem I have not been able to look at very many blades. I recently bought a sword and am looking foward to learning more about it. Gary

Hello everyone, my name is Gary Lorenz . I am looking foward to asking many questions! The Japanese swords have been of great interest to me since I was young boy . Thats been some time ago. Gary