Fine japanese swords, fittings and militaria
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My name is Doug Austin and I live with my wife Bonnie in Mackay, Queensland, Australia. Mackay is known as the Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
I have been an avid collector of Japanese Swords for over 40 Years. My interest in Nihonto was awakened as a young boy of about eight years old when a family member showed me a Japanese Sword brought back from the Pacific War by a relative. From that moment on I was hooked.
I purchased my first sword at the age of seventeen and since that time I have had literally hundreds pass through my hands.
The 1970’s, 80’s, and 90’s, were interesting years for collecting. Wanted to Buy advertisements brought many swords out of the woodwork and most were still purchased from the Ex. Service Men who brought them back from the war.
Listening to the stories of how they acquired their swords, although sometimes obviously exaggerated with the passing years, added to the exhilaration of the purchase. I collect good quality Nihonto from all periods, however one of my main interests is antique blades mounted in fine Gunto Koshirae, the very first type of swords that entered my collection.