Michaelr

Very nice blade and congratulations on being its caretaker. Welcome and thank you for sharing. Take good care of your blade and enjoy MikeR

I agree with Brian. I am a small time collector and fron what I can see I probably wouldn’t even be interested. Maybe if to were on a table at a show and I could see it in person and it was priced at around $200.00 I MIGHT consider it. It’s a shame the way it was treated, it may have been an interesting piece at one time. Just my opinion but I am only one person. As my wife always says “ there is a lid for every pot” MikeR

Michael, thank you for the follow up. To me both swords look to be in great condition. We All have a limit to our budgets and I have always found that when my budget is full, I don’t find anything that appeals to me BUT when my budget is at its lowest point I find a bunch of things to buy. Just my opinion as I love Navies, I would probably try and find a way to come up with the extra gingle and go for them. Again just my opinion, I feel that after you got them both home, took the other one apart and had some learning time with them you could always get all your money back and maybe even make a little profit. The best part would be having the two together to compare and learn as you are already seeing the differences. Been there/ done that, decisions/decisions. Please keep us informed if you become their caretaker. I look forward to the opinions of the other more knowledgeable members here as this is also a great learning opportunity. Good luck. MikeR

Michael, I would say go for it. I would if I had the opportunity. I think that $2000.00 for both is a Great Deal. If you have the money it would be foolish to leave one behind. If you don’t have the money and have to choose only one than go for the one that speaks to you. Good luck and let us know how it turns out. MikeR

Love it. Thank you for sharing. MikeR

Piers here are a couple pictures of the overall gun that you requested. The mark on the bottom of the barrel is 9 3/4” up from the Breech screw and is pointing toward the muzzle. I took a better look at the bottom of the barrel and there dosent appear to be any other marks. It is all smooth with some light rust. Also a couple pictures of the pan and vent hole. If you need anything else please let me know. Thank you for all your help. Mike

Thank you Piers. It looks like someone tried to remove the breech screw with no luck so I think I will leave it alone. I didn’t see anything else under the barrel but maybe I expected any other marks to be as clear as that one. What other pictures would be beneficial? Again as always thank you for your quick response and help. Mike

A couple I forgot

I recently picked up this matchlock from a friend. It is approximately 42” overall, with a 29 3/4” barrel and a bore of approximately .59”. I will post as many pictures as I can. The first picture of the single character is found on the underside of the barrel. The many pictures of top of the of the barrel show a gold Mon, above a large Kangi or symbol. The engraving on the barrel appears to be maybe a plumb tree with a couple dragon flies, with some silver and gold. The hammer is also pretty ornate. Inside the stock it appears to have 3-4 sets of characters. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Any discussion would also be appreciated. Thank you in advance and hope you enjoy. Mike

Wow That’s great Ray. Thank you very much. Having a bad episode of Vertigo but hope to see you in Orlando this coming weekend. MikeR

Thank you very much. This came in a very nice, higher end Shirasaya, with some horn trim and a solid silver habaki. I know it doesn’t make a wrong a right, just didn’t know about the Kamon. Other than that I love the blade. MikeR

Thank you both very much. Rae here are some pictures of the blade and both sides of the Nakago. Any help here with a translation would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. MikeR

Please correct me if I’m incorrect, this is what is referred to as a Kamon. It is on Omote side of a Wakashi. Does it look correct? Does it look real? Is it is what can you tell me about it. I can’t seem to find any information on this subject. Thank you in advance. MikeR

Thank you both very much for your help and information. MikeR

Thank you all in advance. Just picked this up with only a couple pictures of the Hamon, which I really like. Just received it and was surprised, very nice shirasaya, solid silver habaki, signed and dated. Also looks like a Kikumon. Is this correct? Could someone please translate it for me and let me know what they think about the signature also. Again thank you for all you imput and help. MikeR

Nate, welcome. I like it. No it’s not perfect but it is a very nice package that has been there and done that. It is still a blade that you can be proud to be the caretaker of. Nice to have some family history with. You should inquire more and get all the information that you can from your family and keep it with the blade. Thank you for sharing. MikeR

Jose, I think this is a personal choice. Some of my swords came with tassels attached, but who is to say who put them on. I have added tassels to other swords that I have that didn’t have them on when I purchased them. I like mine with the appropriate tassel attached. I know other fellow collectors that will remove the tassel and sell it as they don’t like them. While others that I know remove them and keep them separate from the sword as they don’t like the way they look. So I feel you should do what ever You think make the sword yours. No right answer here as long as it is a ORIGINAL Tassel and an appropriate one. MikeR

Does anyone have a copy of Nihon No Furuju - Old Guns Of Japan by Sawada Taira for sale? Trying to learn about Japanese Matchlocks and it is very hard to find information. Looks like this book could help. Thank you. MikeR

Burt, great blade and beautiful mounts. A real keeper. Congratulations and thank you for sharing MikeR

Nice one Joe. If this is your first sword you are off to a good start. If this is an addition to what you have, it’s a nice addition. If you only want one original Japanese WW2 sword it’s a nice piece. Congratulations and thank you for sharing. You have come to the right place MikeR

Way to purchase your first blade- LOOK AT 1000 BLADES, LEARN ABOUT THEM, BUY BOOKS, REFER BACK HERE OFTEN, THEN AND ONLY THEN buy your first blade

Just my opinion, I think it is a beautiful sword with great mounts, in great condition. That being said I think that it was a fair price. Not cheap but fair. Many times price is relative to what you like and the money you have to spend at the time. Those that have been collecting for a long time have all spent a premium price for those one or two ( or more ) items that we Really Liked and wanted for Ourselves

Great sword and a well known smith. This is a keeper. Thank you for sharing MikeR

I have done business with Danny in the past and spoke with him on the phone, Great guy, good prices and nice stuff. Will buy from in again with no hesitation. Go for it. MikeR

Looks like some great swords. Congratulations on a good show. Thank you for sharing MikeR