I came in contact with Ron Gregory in the late 1970's, we corresponded for some time before we took a trip out from a holiday in London to meet Ron & Betty. They were a splendid couple, warm welcome and the ability to see and handle such a large and varied collection was as many will know"Like a child given the keys to a toy shop"....... Even Sue, as you will see from a photograph to follow, was astounded.
The first set of pictures are from 1962, showing Rons old friend Archie viewing some of the early collection, Ron sent me these to 'Tickle our taste buds' as he put it.....
At the foot of the page is some details on a few of the swords,see marked pictures......
The following pictures are from the years 1984-1990. The first is the photo I mentioned of my wife's reaction when Ron opened the door to his collection room.
I must say at this point.....NONE OF THIS COLLECTION REMAINS, IT WAS SOLD VIA A LONDON AUCTION HOUSE SOME YEARS PRIOR TO RONS DEATH.
A Canadian collector friend of Rons.....who are you old chap??
That's it folks, I have many fond memories of Ron and collecting in those good old days when the search was fun and every sword an adventure,sadly today it seems that the world of Nihonto is almost full of people that want assured sword purchase,must have a paper and with the Internet they can ask some guy at the end of the world if they are making a good decision......sad stuff.....we had the best of times and some damn good laughs.
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{A} Itomaki Tachi signed "Yuki Kane son of Nobu Kane" C1250. Shakudo & gold mounts.
{B} "Bettys Daisho"Katana signed "Awataguchi Omi no Kami Tadatsuna" dated 1652. Wakizashi signed "Koshu no ju Kaneiye" dated 1574. Both blades have a snake engraved the full length of the mune, copper Tsuba with gilt snake entwined through and both signed. The saya's and Tsuka are black lacquer woth a snake climbing the full length.
{C} Itomaki Tachi signed " Higo no Kuni Ari Mune" C1818. silver mounts, Dragon horimono on the blade.
{D} Steel mounts with silver inlay,silver Mon, mounted in a leather combat cover WW2 style, the saya has a Kogai slot with the saya in Han Dachi style mounts. Signed " NoShu Seki Zenjoke Echizen no Kami Yoshi Kado" dated 1645.
{E} (top) Efu Tachi, signed "Nori Mitsu" 15th century, the mei after shortening has been inlaid in tablet form into the new section of the Nakago. (mid) Cloisonne mounted Tach, unsigned with Dragon Horimono . (Bottom) Efu no Tachi, signed "Tajima no Kami Kane Mitsu " dated 1715.
{F} Daisho as worn with armour, Tachi signed " Hikone no Suke Mune Aki" also insribed " Made by Mune Aki a famous Archer" Dated 1681.
Tanto unsigned.
{G} Efu no Tachi Signed " Bizen no Kuni no ju Osafune Suke Sada" Dated 1567. Bonji on each side of the blade. Silver and gilt nounts.
{H} (top)Tachi, O'suriage mumei, Koto period. (Next) Tachi signed "Suke Sada" C1700, large dragon Horimono. (Third) Unsigned Tachi mounted in typical Meiji Tachi mounts of gilded copper similar the Gunto. (Bottom) Efu no Tachi, court style, O suriage,early Koto,Meiji Mounts.
