brannow

They are made of silk.

Hi All, This weekend had the honor of being able to play a very small part in the return of a Japanese sword to the family who surrendered it at the start of the occupation. It was an amazing thing to witness the 94 year old vet return the sword to the son of the original owner. Here is one of the articles. http://www.startribune.com/local/east/224629411.html Also if you search the subject there are a few videos. Enjoy!

Thanks for the information. I know swords that are sent to Singapore have to be blunted.

Hi All, Any one know the rules regarding shipping Japanese swords to Taiwan? Thanks in advance!

Hi Kurt, Welcome to the forum! At $100 your investment is safe! It was possibly remounted, which could explain the second hole. Can you take some pics out side in the natural light and post them.

Not quite Stephen.

As many as I can find!

Here are 2 more photos. You can clearly see the oxidized bullion zig zag. Enjoy! _________________ Bill Rannow http://www.artswords.com

Mint does not mean fake!

They are absolutely genuine. The bullion zig zag is oxidized just as it should be and you can see it clearly in hand. You should not disparage things because they are mint or have bright colors. That is just pure ignorance. I will post a few more photos so the members of the form might learn from them.

Hi Daniel, The days of the $1000 generals tassel are gone by about 20 years, sorry.

Hi Chris. Absolutely sure they are not repros. There are some very distinct differences between repros and originals. These 4 all came from one vets daughter.

Hi All, I thought I would share a couple of my generals tassels. You dont see unissued ones every day! Enjoy! _________________ Bill Rannow http://www.artswords.com

I wish I would have taken some photos of the sword displays in the room. Any one have any to post?

It was a great show! We had lots of walk in traffic from the general public, both people bringing in stuff and some who just though it sounded interesting. There was some great stuff that turned up and I think all were very happy. Mark and his family added lots of nice personal touches like refreshment bags for table holders and a cooler of pop for all. There were also 2 sword examining areas with lights and cleaning supplies which made sword viewing easy. I am looking foreword to next year and to this show doubling in size in the coming years. Joe your a pretty tough guy most would have gone in to shock with that cut! Thanks again Mark and Fam!

Hi Stu, The prototype is a plated aluminum. I did post a copper handle nco earlier for reference. Hope this helps,

Hi Peter, The woven basket above the fringe is too large. This is the biggest mistake the fakers make.

Sorry the red and brown tassel is a fake.

I'm the one that told him it was a Chinese fake and he did not believe me.

Hi if your referring to the first sword I posted. The grommet at the end of the handle were the serute or tassel suspender is probably also is a threaded bolt and screw like on the copper handles nco swords. On the copper handled nco swords the bolt is at the end of the handle and goes through the handle and the end of the tang. I looked briefly today for my other copper handled nco to take a photo of it but could not find it. I will find it tomorrow.

Hi Roy, It came from a vet along with 2 old wakizashi that were a little too rough to buy for my taste. It has not been messed with at all. On the copper handle I posted it is a non-typical piece because of the screw bolt where the mekugi would be which was why I posted it. I will post a photo of my other copper handle nco with its textbook bolt at the serute.

Hi, Not sure what you mean? Sageo?? You mean like this one?

Like the copper handled nco swords the grommet that the serute goes in.

Not really relevant because I know the difference between a Chinese fake and a real Japanese sword!

Hi, I only whipped the cosmoline off the blade. There are only a couple of these known so they are thought to be a prototype.