Cheap "Antique" eBay Samurai Swords From China: Fake or Genuine?
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I bought these swords from eBay from China a few years ago for a song. Are they cheap fakes or genuine articles? You judge for yourself.
I just checked eBay again. There are fewer and fewer of these nowadays, especially ones with inscriptions. And they sell for much, much more.
The katana on top has the inscription of 寬永元年 (the 1st year of Kan'ei Period--1624). The bladesmith was 田野圭仲. The blade is made of folded steel. I don't see a hamon line (That doesn't mean it is not there. Often it will take a professional polisher to bring that out.)
The medium length tanto in the middle was from the 1st year of the Jōō (承応) period (1652). The bladesmith was 敏郎. The blade appears to be non-folded steel, with a prominent hamon line.
The last short tanto has the inscription 正宗 (Masamune) but no date of production. The blade is made of folded steel, with no visible hamon line.
Whether these are genuinely...