Michaelr

Justin, welcome to the best board, with the best people for help whit Japanese swords. Like others have said it looks like you have a nice straight type 95. This will probably not be your only or last Japanese sword as they become very addictive. Good luck collecting and have fun. Next purchase should be some good books. They will probably cost more than some swords you will see but worth every penny. MikeR

Hello Brian and congratulations. It’s nice to hear someone this excited about a new find. You kind of beat me to it but from my end it looks like possibly an aluminum Saya that have had the spots covered with cosmoline. This is a vers sticky, grease that over the years dries and often turns a yellow color. Often even when removed it leaves a stain. Way back in the day I used to find a lot of WW2 items stored in this type of grease. Thank you for sharing it looks like a real winner MikeR

Hello John. Do you think that maybe the brass ferrules were part of the crowns? Maybe inside so that we usually don’t see them, but help to keep the crowns shape and to keep them from coming off? Just thinking out loud MikeR

Thank you Tom. That looks exactly like the one that I saw and in that same condition. Great pictures, thank you so much. Do you have any additional information? Have you seen any others like yours? Yours looks beautiful. Thank you for your input and for sharing MikeR

Thank you All. Great pictures. Seems like they are out there but not too common. Great information MikeR

Yes those both look like Shark skin to me. The one that I was looking at had the larger white nodules/ spots

Thank you Bruce. I wish I was able to get some pictures of the one that I was looking at as the pictures above don’t really do it justice and show its beauty. I tried doing searches here and on the web but little information was found. It would be nice to see if anyone has one that they might share. MikeR

Hello all. I know this may be a hard question to answer without pictures but I don’t have any at this time. A fellow Japanese sword collector showed me a Koto blade mounted in type 98 Army mounts with a Beautiful BROWN Ray Skin Saya. I know that I have few details as it was in the middle of a deal but this is what I do have: Signed Koto blade, type 98 army mounts, cord Saratue, and a beautiful, minty Brown Ray Skin Saya. I have never seen a full brown, Ray skin Saya let alone mounted for the army. I have seen a Navy that the bottom 1/4 was brown Ray skin along with the other 3/4 being black Ray skin. Has anyone seen a brown ray skin army? Any details? Any opinions? I tried searching but didn’t have much luck. Thank you in advance and sorry for no pictures. MikeR

I will take this Tanto. Thank you michael67. Also thank you Volker of helping me with my decision with your above comment. I love the Tanto that I purchased from you and am sure that I will love this one also. They will look great together MikeR

WOW Very nice John. Thank you for sharing MikeR

Lance, since you are so close to Orlando you should certainly attend the Japanese Sword Show there in June. Bring your sword for some more, although you have already been given great information here, look at other blades, talk to other Japanese Sword people and just have a Great day. Hope to see you there. MikeR

Don’t know what it is but I love the leather work. Good luck and thank you for sharing MikeR

Thank you John

Kevin, Great Sword. It would look good on my wall. Thank you for sharing MikeR

WOW. Very nice. Well done. Thank you for sharing MikeR

Deborah, looks like a very nice sword. Great pictures. If it were mine I would be proud to own it. You came to the right place for information as this forum is full of great, knowledgeable people always willing to share that knowledge. Thank you for sharing. MikeR

Very nice. Your story just inforces what I have been taught, the blade picks you- you don’t pick the blade. Thank you for sharing and congratulations. MikeR

Ed, I love it. Looks very nice and very nicely mounted. I like you think this would look very nice in My collection. Thank you for sharing. MikeR

Mike J, welcome. You will find many Great People here always ready to help and share. It looks to me that you have a very nice sword that you can be proud of and with some family background. Take your time and , learn ( starting here was a great start) Read the information provided above by Grey, but DONT attempt to do anything else. Don’t be in any hurry to sell it, in less you just need the money. If it interest you and your uncle start to do some research and enjoy. Just remember Japanese Swords are addictive. Thank you for sharing. Nice sword, enjoy. MikeR

Thank you all very much for your answers. Dan to answer your question, yes I will be submitting my own blades as I have a table at the Orlando Show every year. It’s a great show and I always look forward to it. This year will be special for me as I have never submitted a blade to Shinsa. Thank all of you again. MikeR

Thomas I don’t want to hijack this thread from Joseph but I sure could use some help. I sent in the form for three blades along with my check for $300.00 for the Orlando Japanese Sword Show Shinsa. I have never done this before. I haven’t heard anything back yet ( I know it’s not until June) but I have no clue how it works or what to do. Could you explain what I should expect, how I should prepare my blades and what will be expected from me. I don’t want to waste anyone’s time while submitting the blades as I know these are important people and I am sure it can be a little hectic and I really don’t want to look foolish. Thank you, or anyone else for your time and help MikeR

Congratulations. Thank you for sharing. It’s just the beginning MikeR

Glad you came home with something, and a deal at that. Congratulations MikeR

Great pictures. Wish all that attend a great time, happy sales and happy purchases. Thank you all very much for sharing. See some of you at the Orlando Show in June MikeR

Very interesting. It should be an interesting discussion on this one. Thank you for sharing MikeR