robinalexander

Thanks mate....will get back to you.

Clive if you have the legislation link handy, I would be interested to read it.

A distinct possibility Chris. By the way, nice picture work.

Interesting thread Chris @vajo I can't add to what others have said and I think Matt is pretty close to the mark. For interest I will however add a picture of one of mine which has a leather seppa....quite thick but has really compressed on one side thus allowing the fuchi to move/sit slightly off level. I note that many fuchi are not level on early 95's. In regard to your query ('Reason for Extra Spacer'), I also don't know why a first pattern (copper) would have needed an extra thick leather seppa. The only thing I do have a theory about, is in regard to the noticeable compression to the mune side of the leather seppa. I believe that could be due the pressure applied [to the mune side of seppa] that would logically occur through the normal use (maybe extensive use) of the sword itself.

Really bad fake Ed. This particular 'variety' has been circulating for a long time. Rob

What John said ...absolutely correct.

Saw this when it was first posted and thought 'Wow' but quickly turned to 'ohhhh'. But now that a few have chimed in (safety first).... I Ito is wrong koiguchi relief pattern seems incorrect or painted over...and the screws???? sarute doesn't match in design or age leather Tsuka cover looks new Bottom seppa don't seem to fit and don't match top seppa Saya repainted Tsuba looks new If the blade is 'real', what has happened to it? Lida Iida latch looked to be the best part for my money....but I will err with John on that count. I've been wrong before (more than once).... Lida or not and with due respect, I wouldn't buy it on first sight. Rob

Absolutely no idea Simon, but I really like it.

Interesting Brian ... history shows that buying and selling is all about timing and I wouldn't think for a minute that something that's worthless now will be worthless sometime in the future. Similarly, something that's worth a bucket load now could reach a very modest price down the track. In terms of swords, Nihonto was mentioned but I would also like to put a spoke in for the humble 95 and this is just a thought. I haven't seen any decline in their worldwide pricing in the last 5 years. I hear any swords generally are getting harder to get in UK (therefore more expensive?) and I also understand that, for known legal reasons, there are very few, if any, Type 95's in Japan. Accordingly, they should command a relatively high price IF laws are relaxed and there is no flooding of the Japanese market. Just speculation. But I am collecting not investing ... but it would be nice to get my money back when the time comes.

Dan this is exactly what a "Forum" is and does. As far as other coming to someone's "rescue" again it's a forum. Members can agree, disagree or agree to disagree. To be 'rescued' by someone else's comments seems to be pretty subjective to me. It's often going to be the case in Forum situation that many members overwhelmingly disagree with a particular post or viewpoint and, not surprisingly this can also work the other way. I am sure many people enjoy getting 'likes' its human nature and people generally liked to be liked. It just makes you feel good. However, I don't really believe members actively seek out 'likes' or use them as some sort of measure of popularity, knowledge or even success. Although it seems the same cannot be said for those who quote the number of views on a thread. But it can't be denied, 10.9k views is very impressive.

Eds, MASAHIRO Hatori made Low to medium grade Showato and Medium Grade Gendaito (Sloughs) ..but for my money, with a Seki inspection stamp and what I think are darker patches under the harmon peaks (see top of picture) (oil quench), I am going for non-traditional. Rob

Good input. Hopefully the more we look the more we will find and one day we might find out for sure

John maybe he only mounted his leather combat cover when he was on 'field exercises' and when he went home (as it looks from the background) he removed it?

Yes Bruce, I have seen plenty of Roman but never simply 10 x 10 ... probably little doubt there are still assembly numbers to match blade and habaki (?) Rob

Hi Cullen looks like a nice (matched numbers) example. If you can see faint stamps its because the fuchi is iron and probably painted black over the stamps. Sometimes if you get the light just right you can snap a picture. Even if you have to 'roll' the sword over a little to get one stamp at a time. Rob

Funny you should mention that Simon @SRDRowson I recently acquired a Type 98 mumei, possibly gendaito with nice mounts including samegawa saya and on close inspection it has 10 notches on the nakago and 10 on the habaki. The only marks or stamps.

Hamish, your entitled to your opinion and I agree that I wouldn't pay US 5k at the moment either but I also wouldn't knock any collector who can afford it and really wants to secure one. Yes, they are relatively rare and therefore collectable. Would I pay $952 million US for an oil on board 'Mona Lisa' even if I had the money? No .... but again, someone did, and why not. As ridiculous as it may seem, that price is not going to go down. The fact is that not many coppers were made compared to other Type 95 Patterns and who knows how many survived China in the 1930's and then WW2. But like the Mona Lisa or that very special real estate location, if you have something that is quite unique or rare, then it is less affected by market trends and therefore better positioned to hold its value. I believe coppers fall into that category and for military sword collectors, and there are many, their rarity is more reality than perception. If you price your friends copper correctly, I can assure you it will not stay unsold for 6 months Rob

Not sure that is the case Hamish. Lack of PM's is more likely due to the lack of an advertised sale price. I whole heartedly agree with every comment made so far (interesting reading tks) however your question is in regard to the demand is for coppers and Bruce has summed it up nicely. i.e. most collectors on NMB that want one in their collection, already have one. If I didn't already have one, I would have been the first to PM you! It really is a 'supply and demand' issue. I think just under 6500 ever made (pls correct me if I am wrong and I will edit) Anyone who is interested in coppers already has one and they are not letting them go. Therefore, very few on the market. But for a collector who needs one, forget 'barn finds' ... you either inherit/purchase one from family or friend (best deal) or more likely, pay market value for one of the very few that come up. Chris and Trystan (above) have provided realistic prices. A good guide. Are they worth the big bucks? Probably only to a collector of military swords. Is the Mona Lisa worth US $952 million? ..... obviously was to a collector A quick google will show what coppers have sold for at auction and don't forget to add costs to that price. Concentrate more on sold prices not so much on asking prices. Arrive at a figure and put it in 'for sale' section and you might get a better response. There is also a heap of info on coppers, including pricing over the years, on NMB. Rob

OK now that the dust is settling. I would like to ask a simple question in regard to a gimei signature. Is it possible that on occassions, highly rated smiths deliberately altered or changed their mei, even in the most incorrectly obvious way, in order to give a blade gimei status, in circumstances such as.... On commission for one blade, the smith actually made two and the best was presented...the other, given a gimei mei During normal production, a smith found a minor fault(s) with his work and therefore signed, or had it signed, gimei Or, he just didn't like it ....so a gimei mei. Is this a possibility? It appears there are many blades out there with suspected or obvious gimei mei are still recognised as 'being xxx hundred years old' , ' traditionally made' and 'still a good blade'. Rob

Nice one Thomas...if I could've given u a 'thanks' and a 'ha ha' in the one post, I would have done so

Hi Brent @Bhdau1, Steve (above) is correct in that there is strong core of 'kanji readers' on this forum and these guys are good! On the rare occasion, if there is some something to add, then another member will pick it up very quickly.. A valuable and much appreciated resource and it just amazes me sometimes what they can actually read. However, just so as your question does not go unanswered..... (you may also want to get some clear pics for your own records) .....talcum powder/baby powder is way finer than ground chalk and therefore it will find the crevices and stay in them much easier. The nakago will usually be dry. I have some powder in a small jar, dip a paddle pop stick in and get a small amount on the end and tap it against the mei. Not too much, just enough. Then just wipe over with the fleshy part of your hand. If it doesn't work the first time, just wipe it off and do it again until you get it. Then just take it outside and gurney if off...... sorry about that!!! Rob

Brent, just a quick tip on 'bringing out the mei' ...no major problem with what u have done but, try talcum / baby powder next time, easy on and easier off

Off topic admission.....Hey Simon...no offence meant but your 'avatar thingo' just cracked me up completely. Thankyou

Hello Edgar, If you post clear close ups of both sides of the full tang, you may receive a little more information. Im sure a couple of shots of what's written inside the saya (scabbard) would also be of interest. Rob