Tom Clancy

Firstly I would like to apologise for the delay in my reply, and I would like to thank everyone for their help. What would us mere mortals do without you guys Stephen here are a few pics you asked for Many thanks again Tom.

Hi Any assistance with this translation would be greatly appreciated. Tom.

And you think thats crazy there is a gunto tassel on ebay now currently over $800 reserve not met, and will probably make $1500. Tom.

Eric im sure you did'nt offend anyone. If you look at the excellent new forum military swords of imperial Japan you will see a member paid 3500 for an nco. It makes the one on ebay look like a bargain :lol: Tom.

I think the reason for the high price was the fact it was an early example with the suya stamp, matching numbers, and in good nick. I have a early one with the brass tsuba in same condition and a military collector offered me 950 euros. look at coins one penny might be only worth that, another with a certain date could be worth hundreds. Tom.

Hi Melanie I would be interested in buying the leather tassel you can contact me at tdclancy@eircom.net Regards Tom.

Thanks for everything Joe. Best wishes. Tom.

Hi Joe Thanks for that. I did find the Minamoto Yoshiharu but the tangs are stamped. again Regards Tom,

Can anyone help me regarding this matter or should I now close. Best Regards Tom

Just to go back to this subject, could anyone explain the reason some tangs are signed in katakana. Also if anybody had information regarding this smith it would be very much appreciated. Tom.

Hi Piers Thanks for that. I assume that is where the sword was made or maybe his hometown.I have found a minamoto yoshiharu but the tangs are stamped. Do you know if there was a smith by the same name working earlier than the 30s 40s. Thanks again. Tom.

Hi Piers I would appreciate any more info if you have any. Tom.

Hi What would be your translation Tom

Yasu Haru - do you agree? Tom.

Could someone just confirm this signature please Tom.

In my opinion I would pass this by, cannon balls not right, serial numbers not right, and the fuller should start almost at the habaki. Plus hilt is neither aluminium or copper. Tom

Hi The seller says it is guiuchi yasu haru without a date. Maybe it is yasuyoshi in his early days as stated above It is guiuchi that is hard to explain. Regards Tom.

Thanks thats the only info i have recieved. i do not have the blade but was thinking of buying it. The guy who owns it said the mei is guiughi yasu haru. If it is by yasuyoshi pre yasukuni it might be worth buying. I have a yasuhiro after he left the shrine signed kunimori and im well pleased with it.The shrine swords are beyond my price level.Anyway thanks for the info. Best wishes Tom.

Thanks Lee sorry for taking so long to reply i have been away I thought he may have been a student working under one of the smiths. Cheers Tom.

Hi there Is there anyone who has any info on the smith Guiughi Yasu Haru. Was he connected to the Yasukuni shrine?Was he a highly rated smith or not? Tom.

Hi there, Just to thank the members who replied to my posting on the 30th August regarding this issue. I declined to buy the Takehisa as it was clearly not a Mantetsu. I think with me being a new collector the English dealer tried to take advantage of the fact Takehisa is associated with the Mantetsu facility, but like Grey, George and Alan said if it does not say Mantetsu then it is'nt. Anyway if there is any of you out there with a genuine Koa Issinn in as near mint condition as possible for sale, I would be interested. You can contact me on tdclancy@eircom.net Best Wishes Tom.

Cheers Grey Is there anyone out there who could give me a rough guide as to the value of a Takehisa in very good condition with good quality shin gunto mounts. Regards Tom.

Hi George, Thanks for all your help and info, this sword is advertised as a Mantetsu by Takehisa which seems to be very misleading and caused my confusion. The seller is 100% sure that Takehisa was responsible for making some of the finest Mantetsu blades. Would there be a considerable difference in price between a Takehisa and a Mantetsu given in the same condition. Many Tom.

Thanks for that Jacques but it did not tell me if this sword was made at the Mantetsu facility. Do you know when Takehisa started and finished at Mantetsu? Also what is the meaning of the 'w' stamp. again Tom.

Hi I am in the process of buying a Mantetsu signed Takehisa 'w' stamped katana. The tang does not have the mukden stamp or any Mantetsu signature. Is this correct? This is only my second sword purchased so I am quite new to the game, Tom