[roadcat]

Notice the 5 swords in the upper left.

I hope they weren't antiques. If so, could fetch thousands of dollars each. Difficult to tell unless the hilt/handle is removed to see brand of the maker. I have one, took it for appraisal and watched as it was removed. Japanese markings indicate the era of manufacture and the sword-smith who made it.

[marktwain]

I hope they weren't antiques. If so, could fetch thousands of dollars each. Difficult to tell unless the hilt/handle is removed to see brand of the maker.

------------------------------------------------------------

I missed one of those.

I was a poor student on a TDY assignment in New Hampshire ( Individual Ready Reserve). I could not justify the $250 for an obviously handmade Wakizashi, about 40-50 cm long. It was almost magically sharp, exquisitely made, clearly an original brought back after WWII.

I longed to own it, but could not justify the expense at the time, during the early 1980’s. At that time, the blades had just started their spectacular rise in value.