davepsilon

a source for the inscription perhaps http://kako.nipponto.co.jp/swords/KT111922.htm

for those that happen on this thread from a search engine with a similar question I found http://www.h4.dion.ne.jp/~t-ohmura/index.html (translated to english at http://www.jp-sword.com/files/gunto/ohmura.html) an excellent reference for the different quality of koshirae I also appreciated the thoughts on blade identification at http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/showato.htm but as you might suspect the books listed above have proved a much deeper resource.

Thanks for the book recommendations, both look like interesting material. Indeed that blade is not in the best condition and that level of restoration is not something I have the means to take on. Now with proper mantainance could I keep that sort of blade from getting worse. I don't think I could stand having one like that if I knew I was letting it waste away into ruin.

I hear it oft-repeated (and oft-blamed unfairly on millenials) but to me it is all about telling a story. If an antique tells a story that people connect with then it will be valuable. I don't think pogs or beanie babies tell a timeless story and the market seems to agree with me. While with a sword people can connect to a historic, symbolic, or aestheic story. I think these kind of stories are more timeless, but I am sure there will be periods of both rising (original post's category 1) and decreasing value (original post's category 3). If you collect what you like, your collection will always have peronal value.

A new collector here. I like the shin-gunto koshirae and I've been looking for a high quality example. I'm fortunate that a good deal of information has been published online that I have read and I'm starting to guage just what I can afford, which is decidedly on the lower end of the Nihonto market. Perhaps I can find a very high quality set of fittings on a more ordinary piece of steel. I came across a few listings on Ebay, but I am naturally suspicous of any Ebay listing. I'm still trying to learn potential pitfalls in buying, particuarly so I can tell a good dealer from a not-so-good one, and I would appreciate any thoughts you'd be willing to share on the following listings: 1) http://www.ebay.com/itm/281700844393?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT (cross listed on their website as well http://www.antiqueimperialarts.com/Imperial-Japanese-Army-Officer-Sword-JS26.11797?filters=1000-to-1999-p7) The listing claims it is a gendaito katana. Since it has no markings on the tang, an oddly well defined hamon, and the blade in such a good state of polish my intiial reaction is that this is a fake with a later blade (acid etched hamon?). 2) http://www.ebay.com/itm/201370384731?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT An odd listing, lister appears to have destroyed the peg taking it apart, but otherwise in a good state of repair and possibly a nice example. Even has the tassel. 3) http://www.ebay.com/itm/400938866643?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Not a shin gunto mount, but includes a certificate. Is such a certificate commonly forged (or for a different blade), green seems to be an unusual color. And if you can recommend any books useful for navigating the market, in particular for shin-gunto, I would appreciate that as well.