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Everything posted by zook
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Based on Steve's last post, I can only imagine (sarcastically) some guy in a remote shop, somewhere in China saying, " with everyone working from home, I have time on my hands ... I gotta get these stamps looking better!" ... can definitely see steady improvement in the copies, especially if one looks at all the historical posts and just looks at the trend of improvement.
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Hey Bruce - Sure thing - see attached photo. Previous owner put chalk or something in stamps. I'm not a fan of that, but leaving it alone for now.
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LATEST PICK-UP, and I figured I would just add it to this excellent thread! I see (saw) no issue with this Nagoya Ver3 (pattern 4) side latch that was on Ebay earlier this month and was pleasantly surprised to be winning bidder for this sword (unless NCO sword prices are now hitting a wall and are really dropping)! Stamps are fairly visible on this Seki. That said - I think I got a decent deal. Only big issue is a dent in the saya (visible in the photo) but it has no impact on sheathing of the sword and the blade is in pretty good shape! Matching serial numbers of #131322. Paint isn't bad ...some light rust on saya. I hope everyone is staying safe and are able to "maintain" in these trying times! Cheers - Dan
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Based on your latest post, there are many options .... and Brandon Reed comes to mind ..
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GREAT article and Thanks Steve! It's concise and it flows well. I strongly agree with Neil on the flow; Pattern and date of implement, then break it down by parts within variations off each pattern or transition. I just think it makes it easier for the flow and the novice to learn. As a side note, I am not sure if it is an Australian phrase or your personal touch, but I love your use of words when you state, "The reason for this change should be obvious to even the most unimaginative individual ... " I need to remember that statement for the next time my teenage son comes home from school and calls one of his classmates an "idiot." I will correct him and say, "He's just an unimaginative individual!" - it's more polite, for sure. I am not implying you assume the worst of people, but it's a nice, polite phrasing, for sure!
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SOS Show - interesting NCO swords observation
zook replied to zook's topic in Military Swords of Japan
Good points Trystan .... I was just comparing the NCO to a ratio of other blades (Gunto, traditional, etc...I hazard to guess, but there were many, many more non-NCO blades to look at. Again, a long time dealer (who arrived with me on Thursday afternoon) said he was surprised be the limited number of NCO blades this year , so I was using his comment and someone else as a benchmark. I apologize I didn't take many pictures. Attached are two. I plan to go to the MAX Show in September, if any of you are going. -
SOS Show - interesting NCO swords observation
zook replied to zook's topic in Military Swords of Japan
Mark - Great point, I am not a dealer or life member, I am only a regular member of OVMS ... so I couldn't access the show until Thursday at lunch (I was there Thursday afternoon and all day Friday). So, I wondered if they changed hands during dealers hours. -
Hey folks - I just returned from the SOS (Show of Shows) in Louisville, Kentucky. It's the largest Militaria show in the world and it draws a tremendous crowd of dealers and collectors from around the world. I went to this show with the express purpose of looking for some specific items for my collection (non-Japanese), but I couldn't pass up the dealers of Japanese swords and militaria. What struck me was the lack of NCO swords at this show. I saw ONLY two dealers with a few NCO swords, one being Bill Rannow. There were lots of other swords (nihonto or modern military Gunto), but I didn't invest the time (nor prepared to invest the funds) to explore those items. I always stop and look at the NCOs because I am more comfortable with them, and it only takes a minute to determine "good sword" or "sword with issues." The other officer Gunto require very careful examination. There were many gunto at the show, but the total number of NCO swords I saw ….I would say no more than 12 total. This was my first SOS show, so I took my observation on NCOs with a grain of salt until I heard one other long time dealer and another seasoned collector share the same observation - minimal NCO swords for sale at this particular show and they are surprised by that. I did see one table with a nice copper NCO sword … matching serial numbers and a scabbard in SUPERB condition. Only detractor is that someone totally cleaned the tsuka so it was very shiny, vice the nice, "chocolate-like" patina. I highly recommend this show and the Max show if you are in the States (or not) and can make it. It's definitely an experience! Dan
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Always interesting to read Nick's posts!
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Don't Try this at Home! (when spouse is around :)
zook replied to zook's topic in Military Swords of Japan
Hey Bruce - my comeback is " I don't play Golf " -
Which one of these things doesn't belong? (OK, some of you will say the Type 32 ) .... anyway ... I try to live by a simple rule when doing sword maintenance ... make sure I am home ALONE when I do it. I had to break the rule this week because I have a bunch of students coming by to view the collection, so I pulled out a portion of my stash and placed on a table. What happens? ... WIFE WALKS IN. - there is something psychological about all the swords in one place (usually I have them tucked in many corners on stands). Anyway, I start getting the sarcastic jabs - "Hey, if you sell that table we can take a vacation to the Bahamas ... for a few weeks" ... things like that. Just some humor for your day .... Dan
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Adam - you can't fix pitting without modifying the sword design ... Here is a thread where I re-furbed a type 95 NCO Sword that was in SERIOUSLY bad shape, actually almost rusted to the saya. I had a professional bladesmith (and forged in Fire champion ... take a look at my work during endgame and he cautioned that I could do no more on the pitting without damaging the original blade shape/design. See link for sanding, etc.... Dan http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/28507-recovery-of-a-type-95-nco-sword/
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I have done tons of work with cosmoline … easiest and safest way (I found ) is boil a big pot of water and place the sword tip into heat … metal heat is conveyed and it just wipes right off. It's safer and easier than other methods I have used. I have done entire gun barrels and as long as you get a few inches into the hot water, it should work
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I enjoyed reading that link Dave - thanks much for posting it! Dan
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Help definition original or not Japanese NCO sword type 95
zook replied to antiquegallery's topic in Military Swords of Japan
This one definitely causes a "double take" at first glance. Saya paint jumped out at me from the "distance" photos, but other issues required me to look much closer! Dave says what I often think on this matter … invest now while it is still amateur phase. -
Elkton ! myself and a few other collectors I know are less enchanted with purchasing from Ebay nowdays... due to change in tax laws. It doesn't apply to all states, but ... for example, I am also in Virginia and it is a big hit. It's a VERY big tax hit on a nice sword purchase on ebay. So, I have been buying stuff via forums (using paypal) when the opportunity allows. It's just an input to consider. Dan
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My Christmas Present finally Came In!
zook replied to Bruce Pennington's topic in Military Swords of Japan
Very nice ... cool wife! congrats on a great sword! .... -
On 3rd Reich original militaria ... anything valued over roughly 40.00 USD, I've seen fakes trying to be sold as the real deal.
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Ideally, they would market it as a replica sword. Some words get lost in translation, but I think this seller in China is trying to market a fantasy, modern sword based on a type 95 base design. Sure - he does state it's new. Austus - what we can't overlook is the fact that some folks market things as true copies or replicas, only for 3rd party folks to buy them and become "re-sellers" with dark intentions. For instance, I wouldn't put it past someone like Sea Monkey (aka Samurai Monkey) to buy one of these, then modify it in some way or throw an original saya on it and market it as some sort of original "prototype" sword … I know it sounds crazy, but we've seen him market some goofy stuff. That's just my opinion/concern … Dan
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To all our forum friends/mates in Australia - I know it is a large country and you guys are somewhat spread out across the nation, but I hope none of you or your families are in danger/impacted by these growing wild fires that are being reported! It is sad news, and it looks pretty devastating and out of control! Dan
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I had my eye on a ww2 period photo (PHOTO) of a Japanese officer with his sword/leather saya ....portait style. I lost out on the bid for the photo, it went to monkey for about 18 USD. Within approx. 1 week, he reposts it for sale on ebay at a "buy it now" price of over 100.00 USD for - enough said.
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That's exactly what jumped out at me Bruce! ... the spacing is still off, but that stamp used to be an easy give-away, but this sample .... whew !
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Hi Guys - Good points by hamfish .... I have a type 32 in much nicer condition with matching serial numbers on sword, scabbard …. dated 1913, Tokyo arsenal. I think I paid 300.00 for it about 2 years ago. I think 400 is a bit high unless prices have gone up considerably in the type 32s, and I admit I haven't been following them closely.. not recently. - Just a data point. I believe I saw one on ebay with matching numbers for 375.00 …. as Hamfish stated, lots of re-issues on the type 32s, so I don't think the serial numbers mean as much, but nice to have. Dan
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Hi Reid - are there serial numbers on the cavalry saber/scabbard ? thanks, Dan
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ps - I meant to say damage/chipping to screw vice paint ... something that indicates screw has been removed.