Mark

https://bid.sofedesignauctions.com/lots/view/4-8EBE5L/rare-ww-ii-Japanese-mantetsu-sword-for-army-officer-triple-signed-dated-tang-by-koa-isshin-mantetsu-including-mune-markings

Ray i remember that story, Detroit is just up the road from me. I know the guy who bought it, see him a few times a year.

you could come to the Las Vegas Sword show in a couple of weeks plenty of swords there

where are you located? i go to some small military shows that are not well advertised and there are usually swords there

years ago i had a customer who bought damaged blades from me. i asked what he wanted them for, he said he was buying them for a Japanese friend, they used the steel when they needed old metal to repair swords and they used them to make new swords as they wanted the old steel

Grey and i have a gendai tachi, we can make out the mei and date but could someone please help with the custom order kanji we would appreciate it thanks Grey and Mark

Matt is a dealer here on NMB https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/?forumId=88%2C127 Best buy from him directly not through eBay. I have known him for 10-20 years, he is totally reliable

i don't like to make recommendations but you could ask https://shiningmoon13.com/about-wally/

we are trying a new concept, having a show as part of or with another event. This show is HUGE and one of the very best antique arms shows. It has been in Vegas for a long time. There are stories of the "old days" when Elvis would walk through with his entourage and point at guns he wanted. Tom Selleck has been know to wander through and you see other celebrities. It is sort of the "big money" show where if you want it you can find it, as Brian mentioned you see stuff you don't other places. Doing a sword show as part of this it seems 1. you get a LOT of people through the door, something that is a challenge at a regular sword show. 2. You get a chance to shop 1000+ tables, i have attended in the past and always found swords on tables, just like a big gun or antique arms show. 3. There are people walking around with deep pockets. What we need to do is try and induce people who come for the guns to pay attention to our swords, it is an opportunity to introduce potential collectors to a new collectable Samurai swords. We need new collectors. That is why Mike Yamasaki has arranged the educational presentations/demonstrations and celebrity appearance. We want to get people to check out our stuff........... We have a number of regular sword dealers and attendees coming like San Fransisco, Orlando, and Chicago (like a small regular show) but we combine that with thousands of people who love antique arms who will be there for the other stuff. At least these are people who love antique arms and come to spend money

this is a section of the atrium/hallway between the shows

part of the front room where we will be........ we will have an area or section of this room

pictures of part of the "back room"

Mark general admission is $15 per day, i don't know if they do a 2 day rate It is one huge show, it is in 2 big rooms plus an "atrium/hallway" in between. If you come you have access to everything, once you are in the door you go anyway you want. The "sword show" is a section of the show. When you enter the show you are in the large front room, there are groups or sections of tables, like our Sword section immediately to the left as you enter, there is also a custom knife area, engravers area, shotgun collectors area and etc -- at least that is how it was last year, then you go out the back of the front room into the atrium/big hallway, they have booths there for book signings, some larger displays, then you enter the large back room, that is the room with individual tables of antique arms, a lot of old guns as Brian mentioned, row after row of neat stuff. if you want a table or two to sell antique arms that is where your table will be. check the shows website for pictures to get an idea https://www.antiquearmsshow.com/gallery/ let me know any questions, i will try and answer best i can, bear in mind i have attended the past couple of years to shop but this is the first time for the "sword section" and first time for me to have tables Mark Jones vegasswordshow@gmail.com

Dan tables are about sold out, i can probably get a bit more room if i need it. Things have been going very well. Mike Yamasaki has worked out some great presentations, demonstrations, celebrity appearances, etc etc

you have it right. M Sesko index says he worked 1660-73. Not sure if the signature is genuine. A old friend of mine used to say "any sword coming here from Japan comes with the best paper it will ever get", not 100% accurate but in general it is easy to get a blade papered in Japan and papers are valued here so it makes sense. If you are buying it from a Japanese dealer or someone in Japan i would think they are the ones to ask questions of, they have the sword and know it. But i/we are happy to help if we can I am glad you are interested in swords, and it looks like you are new here so welcome. I see you are in WI you should plan to come to the Chicago sword show next year, you can see and handle thousands or swords and if you like one take it home with you. It is a great way to learn and compare. (caveat -- i promote the show so an partial)

this thread is strange. I have known Gary for 30 years, he is knowledgeable and a collector, he is not trying to talk up what he posts to sell it. He has a number of great items and it is kind of him to share. I think we do the NMB a disservice if we stifle peoples willingness to share, we should encourage it. You don't have to make positive comments if you don't like something but it would be nice to be respectful and limit negative replies unless opinions are solicited. Just my opinion, and --- caveat: Gary is a friend so i am biased.

usually a "stamp" means NOT traditionally made. there are some exceptions based on what stamp a lot of info here

i think 1941

bit hard upside down, but standing on my head i think Katsumasa, 1943

Jesse i will be in Novi MI later this month, or Livonia in early Dec. i can bring a couple $200 swords for you to check out , just remind me the week before mark

Steve thanks! I Appreciate it. makes sense now.

i have a katana, the tang is mumei but there are 4 kanji in the blade. I think i see ?? Tada ?? Kuni but can't make sense of it. I appreciate the help mark

Thanks! Appreciate it mark

i have a sword with a paper tag attached with tape. actually there may be 2 tags, a small one with 3 kanji and a longer one. I think i see Kiyo and Yoshi/Yuke Haru so probably a surrender tag with a name but it would be great to understand it thanks!! Mark

the 1970's sword linked by Steve M is dated...... it is my understanding that ALL shinsakuto blades must be dated. the example here is NOT dated. maybe i missed the provenance but without knowing i would be skeptical