Mark

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

i have seen this sword in hand. I am not a "sword expert" but been willing to spent a couple of hours helping the family. some information may have been miscommunicated somehow, i had said if they wanted to get the best paper the sword "Might" get (Juyo) would cost 5k (or more with polish) and up to 2 years. I had explained the papering process reasonably clearly, maybe i could have done better It is a nice sword. i have some serious reservations on being Bizen Kanemitsu. If i were given the sword to kantei without seeing sayagaki or the nakago i would have said Munetsugu (Bizen no suke) or Ishido. I checked the Bizen Taikan, Osafune book, and other references and the temper and hada are atypical for Kanemistu (in my opinion) The attribution was done reasonably well but with no signature of who did it i was not willing to say, based on the workmanship, that i was sure it was a correct call

Thanks!!! appreciate it the gun is in poor condition, missing parts, damaged stock but here are pictures...... the barrel alone weighs about 18lbs.

i think Hiromichi

Piers, thanks! I tried a little oil hope it helps. i appreciate the try

i have a matchlock with a signed barrel. It is rusted so hard to read. can anyone help? Maybe someone familiar with these may "know" what it says even if hard to read all help appreciated thanks mark

Brian thanks! I looked on their website, on the new, GB, and could not find one anywhere. strange, maybe a short run or something. I was hoping to find one that sold so i could see what they bring. glad to hear they make good quality, i have no idea as this is waaay out of my area mark

hope this is ok, if not please remove. this is modern. I know nothing about it. I got it in a group of stuff and hope to find it a new home. But i have NO idea what this is worth, i see other types of muskets made by Pedersoli for sale. I checked their website. But can't find one of these. I thought maybe some of our members use matchlocks and may have some experience. Any help appreciated, i just want to put a fair price on it so i don't embarrass myself. I plan to sell it locally as i am not sure about shipping and i don't want any issues with it. Thanks in advance!! mark

just lowered the price, not sure if you noticed

Grey has a nice sword in your range https://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/swords/q561-mumei-katana-koshirae he has others close to 3k. check them out Grey is reliable (caveat - i partner with Grey)

kiku ichimonji. you see that on some showa dirks and swords, think that signature is in reference books

munechika

Jan-Wouter Thijssen ---- a manji symbol and a swastika are different, they are reversed. But i understand if someone has strong feeling they look similar at a glance i don't like short (under 15") shinogizukuri wakizashi, at shorter lengths i like hirazukuri. not sure it is a deal breaker but not something i like. Same for shinogizukuri tanto

looks like Masayuki showa 18th year 9th month september 1943