Hi barry, i assume this thread originated from my thread right?
As a newbie, i really don't have enough competency yet to spot an antique 100 years old or older except if it is offered at a premuim price (sometimes i know that's not the case especially if its a scam). However, i make sure i buy my swords, modern ethno, as i now discovered here, from the people who did this based on tradition and culture. Hence, most of my swords are maranoan in origin since i only engaged in that tribe in the southern philippines. Although not an assurance that i won't be getting a "china-made" replica, it still adds to the peace of mind that the possibility of authenticity is high. Also, when i buy this from them, i usually asks about what this is called (sometimes they call it ina different name) and what it is use for and who uses it in their culture. This way, i also learned things sometimes not mentioned in any book.