Logan09

Thanks Neil! I was curious as to wether or not it's supposed to have a leather cover. Looking at it more it appears there's a faint ring around the wood for an Ashi that's no longer there.

Has anyone every seen something like this? Two piece wood Saya that is held together by brass straps. Koiguchi is cutout for locking piece and is made of brass, but looks like it was silver washed originally. Any ideas on this? Thanks. -Logan-

Sadly yes, Dave.

Thanks Luis, I think the blade would cost way to much to have polished. And honestly as you said I don't think it would be worth it. There might not even be much left. The opposite side of the blade has many "Ji-Are"(sp?) And I have a feeling they're gonna open up like a can of worms if polished. It would be nice to have a window polish done just out of curiosity. Maybe in the future if I come across a good source in the U.S.

Thanks for the replies. The "redish" looking stuff is I believe surface rust that has been acid washed over(it runs up most of the Mune). As far as it being welded, if it was they did a crap job on attempting to hide it. For what it's worth, the Shinogi lines up on blade and nakago. Either way I'm out $100. But it has a habaki, so to make me feel better I'll say $80. Once again appreciate the replies.

Awesome, thanks for the replies!

I was wondering about this bizarre area myself.

Before someone says anything I am not the one that dunked this in acid to reveal the hamon! Blade had been poorly ground on with something and my best guess this was the only way to pass it off to someone. Anyways, is it at all possible to tell the period of this based on my bad photos(Which are out of order, sorry)? Blade is 24-7/8" Sori is 9/16" Overall is 32"

Got this open work tsuba. I'm pretty positive it's a fake. What say the experts? Thanks -Logan-

Thanks for the reply John. I have never seen Tsumami-Maki on a gunto before. And interesting to know it was used. But as someone else mentioned I guess it's good for spare parts. It is nice to look at from a distance though. Ha

They closed the auction and sent me an email thanking me for the links. I guess there are still a few honest people out there...

Thanks for the replies. Figured something was up with it. Not sure who would've done the re-wrap on it but at least they used hishigami. As far as it looking really good, it's not all that clean in real life. Photo was touched up a little to show more details.

I bought this Tsuka a while back. Seller failed to tell me it had two mekugi-ana. Anyways, the "extra" mekugi-ana are plugged with wood(the reverse side mekugi-ana is completely covered by Ito so it must've been done before it was wrapped) I figured it was re-drilled stateside but now I am unsure? Thoughts? Also, the Ito is silk and is a goldish color(higher end?). It is also wrapped starting with Hineri-Maki and finished with Tsumami-Maki which I have never seen before. What are your thoughts on this? I figured if this was a screw up they would've at least patched the hole over with Same'

I messaged them yesterday. They said "We stand by the authenticity of this item, please show us fakes of the same one" So I sent them three links to swords with the same characteristics. Never heard back.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Authentic-Signed-Japanese-Wakizashi-Sword-Mokume-Laminated-Blade-NR/352624512242 I sure have very strong doubts about this. Anyone else feel the same. The bidders sure seem confident.

Alright, I think I got it. Kanbun 1665?

Once again thanks Ray! I will research the date when I'm near a computer (Much to hard on my phone) I appreciate the link!

This sword is for sale. I'm not interested, and won't post a link as some of you might be watching it. I was just curious as to what the Mei says and I'm assuming it's a date on the reverse?

Wow, thanks Steve! Would've most likely taken me hours to find that(that's if I could've)

Thanks Ray! I did a search of them and didn't realize there were that many used. Seems like a long search to try and find the correct one.

It's on both the Fuchi and Kashira(theyre pretty worn away)Photo of menuki as well. Anyone know what this signifies? Thanks.

Thanks for the reply!

Looking for translation help on this please. Thanks!

eBay won't care about this either. I don't doubt someone will bid this up and over $1k. Reminds me of the "17th century Tachi" that sold for over $1300 last week that I told the seller was actually a Paul Chen Bushido sword that cost about $700 new. They didn't care.

This guy is a complete moron. He now added a huge list that he has been contacted by "trolls" who think they know more than then the Japanese street vendor he probably bought this from. Also goes back to saying this style "tang" dates back to the 5th century.