Oregon daily emerald., February 21, 1978, Page 8, Image 8

Swords
Buff collects antiques,
specializes in Japanese
Silas Messer was 13 years old when he
acquired his first antique gun. In the 30
years since then, he has collected 249
other guns, along with American
swords, uniforms, Indian artifacts and
most recently, Japanese swords.
Messer believes Japanese swords
are the “epitome in workmanship.” His
interest in the swords stems from his
ability to appreciate their workmanship.
He began collecting the Japanese
swords a year and a half ago by advertis
ing in the papers. Messer insists he is a
novice when collecting Japanese
swords, yet he will readily spend hours
discussing the fine points of the sword.
Like other sword collectors, he has
learned to describe the parts of the
sword in Japanese. He also owns sev
eral books dealing with the swords,
which are purchased, he says, because
he feels it is necessary to read up on
literature before investing any money.
Messer has one sword made in 1518,
another dated 1538 and another dated
1661. But he claims the value of the
swords depends on the maker rather
than the age.
He hasn’t figured out who the impor
tant makers are yet. He has literature
describing the characteristics of the
swords and their makers, unfortunately,
the literature is written in Japanese and
he can’t read it.
The swords are "easy to come by if
you have the money,” Messer says. He
tells of a Japanese man who spent
$40,(XX) on one sword, only to find out it
was worth $20,000 on the sword market.
He adds he has yet to reach that price
when purchasing a sword.
Although Japanese swords are his
major concern, Messer also claims to
have the ‘largest World War I collection
in this area.” He also believes his ar
tifacts from the Spanish-American War
may be the largest. Messer’s American
sword collection is on display at a branch
of U.S. National Bank and he has the
gun owned by Oregon’s first Congress
man on display at a Pacific First Federal
bank.
Messer publicly supports the owner
ship of weapons. He recently appeared
on television in rebuttal to a statement
made by the Democratic platform on
disarmament by Portland residents.
Messer displays his swords on a
table. Some of them stretch from end to
end. The solid gold on the handles
shimmers in the light, streaming through
the windows. Silas Messer stands look
ing down on his possessions.
“Swords have so much charisma to
them.”
Story by JOANNE BLAIS
Photos by DENNIS HICKOK
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Cooperative Printing
485-4899 • 762 E. 13th (next to Excelsior)
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Page 8
Hot music offers dance chance
Those who like to get up, get
loose and dance, dance, dance
are in for quite a treat this week
when Montuno comes to the
Eugene Hotel Lounge tonight
through Saturday.
CHINA BLUE RESTAURANT
featuring for dinner
Beef with Broccoli
Tender marinated beef sliced and sauteed with broccoli
and a delicious special Chinese Oyster Sauce.
$3.75
Hours
Mon Thurs . 10 to 10
Fn. 10 to 11
Sat. 5 to 11
Sun . 5 to 10
China Blue
879 E. 13th Ave.
343-2832
Montuno is an eight-piece
Latin contemporary group from
Portland headed by Gerry Rodri
quez. Individual members of the
group have, at one time or
another, played and recorded with
such varied and noted musicians
as Richie Havens, the Henry
Mancini Orchestra, Otis Rush,
Della Reese, Peggy Lee and the
Tommy Dorsey Band.
The group plays Salsa music,
which is currently one of the hotter
new musical sounds on the popu
lar market.
On Thursday and Friday nights,
in addition to the dance space of
fered in the Lounge, the Hotel will
open up a large room adjacent to
the Lounge, thereby creating
Eugene’s largest dance floor.
Admission is $1 tonight and to
morrow night and $1.50 Thursday
through Saturday. The music will
begin around 9:30 p.m. each
night.
Tuesday, February 21, 1978