nickm

Super appreciate the reply. As it stands I love it and never thought I would love a tanto as much. More into katana/wak and honestly koto things. About a week away from buying a kozori daito from bob benson.. Super excited! That said don't have any interest in theoretical investment recouped just wondering if I made a bad choice. Generally I am a bit of a black hole for things such as to say once I get it it tends to be mine forever. I have a problem falling in love with things after I hold them a few times! Gives my wife something to give me crap about so it's a win win

Thank you to everyone for helping me identify the new find. Again super impressive and pretty awesome forum! Fundamental question I guess I am asking myself is as a relatively new collector wondering if it was a good buy at 2000 or not? Sounds like a yes from the koshirae standpoint but again would just love some more definitive opinions from the more knowledgeable. I guess regardless I am very happy with it as it is basically gorgeous but of course would love the reaffirmation of not being swindled

Well a kinda tacky question.. What do you guys think ots worth? Wondering if it would be right to pursue preservation, polish, nbthk... Either way I'm not one to sell things once I have them so not asking for that as to put a value in my mind between current and potential worth

I appreciate the translations and am more so just wondering about the solid silver as of course the object itself is more valuable but I've never seen one that was solid silver. Also any ideas on the fucci signature?

more mei pics plus tsuba and fucci

habaki is very seriously stuck and I cannot get it off yet but otherwise success. It really does look to me like everything is solid silver.

mei..

Success. Super happy to find signatures. Also is it possible that the tsuba is solid silver?

Looks like the mekugi was on the exact bottom of the hole, wondering if they drilled a new hole for it and caught the bottom of another one that was larger

I am currently kind of afraid that is the case. I could see in there well enough to know that there is no peg left touching metal and it refuses to budge

I can see through it well enough to know that the mekugiana is larger than the hole in the tsuka..

well i managed to remove the mekugi and can seethrough but still good and stuck.. I have officially beaten my wrist until it hurts (not as fun as that sounds) but no luck. Will keep persisting at get there eventually I will get there surely..

mekugi pics..

The problem with the makugi. I spoke to the gentlemans son about it back in May and told him in theory how to remove it and through the process it seems he has beaten it all to hell.. Definitely from the side it should have been coming out it is beaten down into it pretty dramatically. Can't really tell where it ends and the handle begins around the edge. Picture will be attached but not really sure how to tackle it. I did manage to get the glue off of the other side which was adhered to the mekugi making me figure it hasn't been taken apart in a good number of years

I would say the Hamon is similar from side to side. Gets a little different on the tip and is definitely not the same anywhere but has the ridges or crests in the wave at roughly the same space throughout until the last 3" or so The blade itself measures 10"

more pics

more pics..

Well for better or worse its mine now.. I think/hope for the better???? lots of pics to come.. Cant get the tsuka off for now it seems. the ito seems to be baleen. it has wood carved underneath with thin strips overlayed. Both are broken in several places but still looks awesome. amongst the pictures will be 1 of a broken strip to see if you guys think its baleen. Unfortunately the previous owner used some sort of epoxy to keep a part of the wood under the strips on some years ago that may have gotten into the mekugi.. Any advice on how to deal with that so I can get to the nakago would be appreciated.. Of course very excited to hear what you guys think of what pictures I am able to put up with out getting underneath for now

Yep. I'm not sure as again I haven't actually seen it since may. Just been pestering his son since then. I will say the one time I was able to be in the same Room with it it was very impressive and left an impression that kept me persisting for these many months.. I can't recall that there was an empty slot on the other side and I feel like that something I would have taken notice of but again it's been a while

I was able to get ahold of the seller's son who said he believes there is no slot on the other side. He said he thought there was some kind of loop or something Built-in to attach it to a belt or uniform..Kind of a nuisance getting in contact as the seller doesn't play with cellphones much and doesn't text at all. Again will know for certain and have more detailed pictures up tomorrow

I dont think so. If memory serves I dont think there is a slot for it on the koshirae. Wont be sure till i put eyes on it tomorrow though

Totally understand and thank you for putting the downside in monetary terms. As it stands I have only been able to put eyes on it for about 5 minutes over the last 6 months.. As far as the provenance part, the fellow I am talking into the sale is a retired general and was last stationed at the US army war college in Carlisle pa... I live in this area and it is inundated with high end military personnel. Of course I can't know if it was actually given to him from the Secretary of State but will say that he is a rather impressive old fellow and I don't know if I would think he would lie about that.. Especially as when he was telling me the story it wasn't with the notion of selling it. As far as the inspection period, I am kind of afraid that if I don't buy it immediately he is going to change his mind as again I have been pestering him to sell it to for some time now. Totally get this is a gamble that I very well may lose but am in a position to have a little bit to gamble with And I figure this is better than going to the casino because at least I will have a nice souvenir if it doesn't work out... Thank you again for the information Robert. I look forward to getting some photos up either way.

sure. only thought for me personally is the story adds a little to the gamble of it not being a junk blade. Going to be what it is for sure. I have definitely lost gambling before..

I kinda love the opportunity to get something that hasnt seen the market and has been taken care of... Seems that is becoming increasingly rare.. Heres hoping it is worth the money! But i think it looks pretty awesome either way I guess

I appreciate the advice brian. I am going into it with a gambling mentality so hoping for the best but prepared for the worst. As always thanks to everyone for the advice/thoughts. Love this forum!!!