samurai sturrip

[cloomis]

I have a 1 samurai sturrip ,someone has offered me $50 but i think its a original and in exellent condition and i was wondering what it would be worth .This is 1 not a pair has the red pad for the foot and beautiful metal work ,,very old

[dontbe]

IS that metal "Damascus steel"? (see pictures of it here: http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&um=1&q=Damascus+steel&btnG=Search+Images )
if it is, that fact alone makes it more valuable than 50$

A blacksmith or knife maker would give you that for scrap alone.

(I cant clearly tell from the picture though)

[cloomis]

yas it is metal and the finish is perfect

[dontbe]

but is that decorative pattern IN the steel, or ON the steel?
the focus on your camera leaves a lot to be desired..

[cloomis]

the pattern is in the metal with flower /vine pattern the colored areas are silver inlay and i figured out its from the 1700s .ps my cam is getting old it had a rough life lol

[cloomis]

 this is what the writing that is on the neck dont know if it will help /would like to know what it says so i'd know when and where and whom for it was made .

[Texasbadger]

Single stirrup probably in the $300 range, see them occasionally, usually in pairs, if you can send me digital photos of the writing Ill translate for you send to texasbadger@sbcglobal.net

[Texasbadger]

The date is too blurry at the top but so far we have "Kashu Ju Muneyoshi saku" or Muneyoshi from Kashu made this