Brian Hancock

Hi Brad, Chinese. Leave 'em alone. Brian (UK)

Hi Ray, I have 2 of these chairs. They are Chinese made corner chairs and are decorative only.Nothing what so ever to do with "Swords" its just BS! Regards, Brian (UK)

Hi Eric, I have been to the shop in Robinsons a few times. As with you the owner wasn't there and the shop girls just look at you as though you're wierd. I was told by a friend of my wife that you aren't allowed to take anything like that out of the Philippines but as you probably know anything is possible there if you have the money! I was also told that collectors of militaria have like a closed shop and meeting are held in out of the way places and you only get to know by word of mouth. Is the shop opposite still there called "Guns for good guys"? Regards, Brian.

Hi Ray, Mmm. Never thought of that. Cheers, Brian.

Hi Erik, It is a bit of a mystery. Seems as though its got all the others baffled as well judging by the responses! Hope you are keeping well. Cheers, Brian.

Hi All, Thanks Stephen & Mark. I have put another couple of pic's. Cheers, Brian.

Hi All, I have a Kai-Gunto I would like some help with. I think its signed "Hizen Masakiyo" I have asked about this ages ago but have now taken some pics for members to look at here. http://www3.snapfish.co.uk/snapfishuk/t ... 852831006/ I would also like someone to give me a rough idea of what I could sell it for if I decide to. Cheers, Brian (UK)

Hi Mariusz, Sorry, I must have missed that post . I hope it does take off.The fees are certainly good. About time someone gave Flea-Bay a challenge. Regards, Brian

Hi All, Don't know if anyone has seen this site. It costs 10cents to list and 2% if your item sells and you get a $10 sign-up fee for free. Nice alternative to Flea-Bay. It probably wont affect American sellers but could be very useful to us Brits. Here's the link. http://nihontoauction.com/index.asp Cheers, Brian (UK)

Hi All, Bit off topic this but I wondered if anyone has seen anything like it before or may be, identify it. Its about 5 inches round and made of bronze. No markings at all on it. I bought it as it looked like a Japanese pilot. Wondered if it was an ad. or something. The wooden holder was made by a friend and did not come with the item. Any theories???? Cheers, Brian (UK)

Hi All, I had a terrible time finding Dragonfly menuki. I put a wanted ad. here on the board but no luck. In the end my friend Tony Edmunds bought me some back from Japan which were modern.He then got Richard Adams to re-patinate them and they are now gracing a gorgeous wakazashi he refurbished for me. I've still not seen any older ones. Cheers, Brian. (UK)

Hi Jim, The English for it would be "Drop Dead Gorgeous" ! Brian

Hi All, I have a Kai Gunto signed "Hizen ju Masakiyo" and I cant find very much info on him either. In Walingas book it just says "Very little known" Beautiful sword in fantastic fittings. Cheers, Brian (UK)

Hi David, Yep, Stupidity never has a day off! Brian.

Hi John, Thanks for the reply. I'm sure there will be more to come in your listings in the future. At the moment I am looking for a signed Bungo Katana so will keep an eye on you website! Regards, Brian.

Hi Mike, Had another idea. Why not contact him through his Ebay shop? http://myworld.ebay.com/nihontoau&ssPag ... X:SELLERID Cheers, Brian (UK)

Hi Toby, I have read both the books "Samurai William" and the "Needlewatcher" I thought the first was just a bit of adventure romp and found the second one much more informative and a better read. I have been told recently that four of Williams letters home to his wife are still in existance in Chatham (UK) If you do a Google search on him there is a picture of a monument to him in Japan. He became a wealthy man and had a second family in Japan though what became of them after his death I don't know Cheers, Brian.

Outstanding! Brian, (UK)

Hi Steven, I think I will e-mail him and just make him aware. It was Nihonto Australia who was selling them. Regards, Brian

Hi All, Pardon me for venting my spleen on the board but this is just crazy. I put a bid on some F/K last night using "Auction Sniper" and put my max. bid at $179.77. I looked this morning to see a report from "A S" as not having won them. "Fair enough" I thought I've been outbid. I then went to ebay and found they had sold for under $100. I looked at the report again and clicked on the "See Reasons" only to find this. Dear Ebayer, to prevent the circumvention of the Ebay.co.uk & Ebay ie. Weapons & Knives policy its not possible for you to bid on this item, Thank you for your understanding. Obviously F/K are now offensive weapons UK buyers. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!! Thanks, Brian. (UK)

Hi All, There is a new website here in the UK for custom made fittings. Richard Adams is well known in the UK for his fantastic hand made fittings and has at last got a website up and running. This has just been set up so you wont find it on Google yet. I have had fittings made by Richard and I can tell you first hand that they are real works of art. It would be great to give him your support by keeping his web page in your "Favourites" as I am sure as time goes on and his client base grows you will see what a craftsman he really is. Here's a link. http://www.habaki.co.uk/welcome.html Cheers, Brian (UK)

Hi All, In the UK we have an alternative auction site. You can list almost anything in the weapons catagory. There is no listing fee's and its a flat 3% commission if the item sells. I have bought off it a couple of times but never had any luck selling the couple of items I have listed. Alas as we all know to our cost that EvilBay has the lions share of auction goods. Here is a link to the site. Go into the "Militaria" catagory. http://www.specialistauctions.com/ Cheers, Brian.

Thanks guy's, the Microsoft translator is better than the google. Brian

Hi All, Have a look at this site for examples of what I'm banging on about. http://www.seiyudo.com/katana.htm

Hi All, I have been looking on several websites in Japan at stuff for sale. On several where they would normally state the price its got "Your a village" or "A village" What I'd like to know is what the hell does it mean??? If anyone can tell me I would be eternaly grateful. Cheers, Brian.