Help me choose a 98!

[Banton989]

Hi all,

 

After buying a Type 95 I have caught the bug! Looking to buy a Type 94 or 98 next.

 

These are the ones on offer to me, I have run them past Bruce already. 

 

No other pics unfortunately, what do you think/what would you pick?

 

Any help appreciated!

 

Adam

[Bruce Pennington]

Like Adam said, he has my thoughts already.  My main concern would be buying any sword without more information, unless the price is so cheap that it wouldn't matter how they actually turn out.  For the record, I do like #2 because of the saya color and Field grade tassel.  #3 is nice looking too.

[PNSSHOGUN]

These all look pretty underwhelming, would pass on all of them to be perfectly honest. Showato with buffed(?) fittings, field grade tassel looks suspect as well.

[Banton989]

Back to the drawing board! Lol. Does this one look more interesting?

 

Unsigned but with 2 mons, 53.5cm cutting edge, wakazashi in gunto mounts?

[Bruce Pennington]

This is really going to come down to your own tastes.  

 

That is a fine sword.  Older sword re-fitted for the war.  I don't think it's mumei.  You can faintly see a mei under the corrosion.

[John C]

  On 5/16/2024 at 4:58 PM, Banton989 said:

53.5cm cutting edge, wakazashi in gunto mounts

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Right at the limit. Donated/family swords had to be a minimum of 21.5 inches. Some so called "crew/tanker" swords were this small.

 

John C.

[Matsunoki]

Honestly it’s impossible to tell you much from these images. It looks like an old blade that has been shortened and carried in WW2. Personally I struggle to see any trace of a Mei and if it has been shortened then much, if not all of any Mei could  be lost. These images could be hiding something really nasty like hagire (crack through the hamon), forging or hardening flaws. Can’t even be sure it has a hamon at all. 

Even the kamon could be added for effect rather than be genuinely period. The two kamon are different!
Asking us to judge a sword from these images is not going to give you anything reliable.

Its a crap shoot if you buy it - so much could depend on if you know and trust the seller and if the seller knows what he’s talking about.

 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Where is the second Mon?

[Banton989]

  On 5/17/2024 at 6:11 AM, Matsunoki said:

Honestly it’s impossible to tell you much from these images. It looks like an old blade that has been shortened and carried in WW2. Personally I struggle to see any trace of a Mei and if it has been shortened then much, if not all of any Mei could  be lost. These images could be hiding something really nasty like hagire (crack through the hamon), forging or hardening flaws. Can’t even be sure it has a hamon at all. 

Even the kamon could be added for effect rather than be genuinely period. The two kamon are different!
Asking us to judge a sword from these images is not going to give you anything reliable.

Its a crap shoot if you buy it - so much could depend on if you know and trust the seller and if the seller knows what he’s talking about.

 

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That is a very fair point, apologies for my newness to the whole thing.

 

In England where I live the choice of items to buy is a lot less, our Ebay for example dosen't allow edged weapons.

 

I would much prefer to buy something I know more about. Perhaps a WTB post on this forum would be the better way to go.

 

Thankyou all for your help and patience so far.

 

Adam

[Matsunoki]

  On 5/17/2024 at 7:11 AM, PNSSHOGUN said:

Where is the second Mon?

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One on Kabutogane and a different one on fuchi…. Or have I gone nuts (again😊)

[PNSSHOGUN]

That's the button release, or am I nuts

[Matsunoki]

  On 5/17/2024 at 7:52 AM, Banton989 said:

n England where I live the choice of items to buy is a lot less, our Ebay for example dosen't allow edged weapons.

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I live in England also but with patience and contacts there are many ww2 swords available. Try a WTB post but until you are confident I’d avoid eBay and buy from someone you can trust.  And handle the swords first. 

[Banton989]

Thanks, will try a WTB, might go to the show at the motorcycle museum next month too.

 

That one I posted above was on JCmilitaria

[Matsunoki]

  On 5/17/2024 at 8:42 AM, PNSSHOGUN said:

That's the button release, or am I nuts

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Erm doh🤪I’ve booked my trip to the optician 

[Matsunoki]

  On 5/17/2024 at 8:55 AM, Banton989 said:

That one I posted above was on JCmilitaria

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I’ve dealt with John, he’s fine and uses Bill Tagg as a consultant. Have you got his usual full description?

But, do you want a shortened old sword or would you prefer a normal shingunto? 
Make sure you buy what you really want rather than buy what happens to be in front of you.

[PNSSHOGUN]

See if you can organise a visit with an established collector and see a wide variety of swords in hand.

[Banton989]

  On 5/17/2024 at 9:48 AM, Matsunoki said:

I’ve dealt with John, he’s fine and uses Bill Tagg as a consultant. Have you got his usual full description?

But, do you want a shortened old sword or would you prefer a normal shingunto? 
Make sure you buy what you really want rather than buy what happens to be in front of you.

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You are right. I'd ideally like a normal shingunto. I shall learn patience!

[Matsunoki]

  On 5/17/2024 at 7:52 AM, Banton989 said:

In England

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Vaguely, what part of England are you?

[Banton989]

  On 5/17/2024 at 10:19 AM, Matsunoki said:

Vaguely, what part of England are you?

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Worcestershire, 12 miles outside Birmingham

 

[robinalexander]

Hi Adam, 

 

Colin and John are so right.  Read Colin's posts again before you go to bed tonight.

 

John Carlin and Bill Tagg are very reputable and great to deal with BUT as Colin said, buy what you want, not what is in front of you. 

 

Bridle your passions....for a day, or week, or month or two at least ......  (from my reading that would be about your limit before you explode 

 

If its WW2 your after, look at 94's, 98's and don't forget 97's because you just might get a real bug for those later. WW2 blades in gunto koshirae.......old blades in gunto koshirae...there is a difference.   Take time and familiarise yourself with what's out there, ask yourself why the (sold) prices are different and importantly, prior to purchasing anything, be in some sort of position to be able to say "for me, that is worth $xxxx".

 

Look and research a lot..... ask a lot of questions, then buy your first.

 

It is exciting.....good luck.

Rob

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Banton989]

  On 5/17/2024 at 10:46 AM, robinalexander said:

Hi Adam, 

 

Colin and John are so right.  Read Colin's posts again before you go to bed tonight.

 

John Carlin and Bill Tagg are very reputable and great to deal with BUT as Colin said, buy what you want, not what is in front of you. 

 

Bridle your passions....for a day, or week, or month or two at least ......  (from my reading that would be about your limit before you explode 

 

If its WW2 your after, look at 94's, 98's and don't forget 97's because you just might get a real bug for those later. WW2 blades in gunto koshirae.......old blades in gunto koshirae...there is a difference.   Take time and familiarise yourself with what's out there, ask yourself why the (sold) prices are different and importantly, prior to purchasing anything, be in some sort of position to be able to say "for me, that is worth $xxxx".

 

Look and research a lot..... ask a lot of questions, then buy your first.

 

It is exciting.....good luck.

Rob

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Bloody love this advice thankyou, I do tend to jump into things. 

 

I'm trying to learn as much as I can, I think I have read every post in the Military Sword section on here so far lol.

 

Yes WW2 era is my main interest, the bug has bitten.

 

Thank you all for putting up with a newbie, and thank you all for your help and guidance so far 🙏.

[DTM72]

  On 5/17/2024 at 10:46 AM, robinalexander said:

If its WW2 your after, look at 94's, 98's and don't forget 97's because you just might get a real bug for those later. WW2 blades in gunto koshirae.......old blades in gunto koshirae...there is a difference.

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Same happened to me. I got a 97 with a nice same' covered saya. Then got into the Navy kyuguntos with family blades. Seems to be my favorite style, at the moment.