Antique Shop Discovery

[Kazee21]

Hello,

 

I was on vacation and stumbled upon this partial suit of armor. I don’t know much about armor as I only have a few pieces, but know this is real. The owner of the shop offered it to me for $1,300. What are your opinions on this armor? Is it worth the money to purchase and have relaced? Sorry ahead of time for only taking 2 pictures. Thank you for any insight.

[ROKUJURO]

Chansa,

did you test it with a magnet? If it proves to be non-magnetic, it could well be a theater suit of armour, made on a paper or leather base. The DO seems to be a one-piece construction, so probably not made for real fight use. The MEMPO looks that way, too, and renovating all that would be no (financial) fun!  

Just my impression - I am not a KACHUSHI expert.

[DaveT]

 

 

桶側胴 Okegawa Dou, Edo Period. The kusazuri could be rawhide, but then 90% were.

Menpo is real.

 

Value, I'd spend my money on Yahoo Auctions via Buyee.

[Kazee21]

Thanks for the replies! Dave, what period would you place the menpo? Worth buying and relaquering to add to a kabuto I have?

[DaveT]

Menpo looks edo as well.

With regard to restoration, you have to take into account the amount of work that is required for each piece. Urushi-nuri is not simply painting the surface and allowing it to dry. 
There are many man-hours involved and the cost of restoration often outways the variability of seeing a return on the investment for many years to come. 

Also sourcing a restorer who is not busy is a task in itself.