The Company
Gatton and Associates was established in 1988 in Baltimore, Maryland and has been serving Marylander's continuously ever since. We have just recently decided to make our sword offerings available on the web.

Thank you for visiting our website. Since 1988 we have been serving Marylanders and we have an excellent reputation to preserve. So, yes, we know what time of the year it is and now that we have branched out into offering swords for fun and gift giving we intend to extend our customer service experience into this area as well.

About our Store
Our offices comprise probably 90% of our square footage leaving us a small display area at the front. At any given time we will have on display a dozen or so sets and/or individual swords and stands for you to handle and purchase. Not all of the items on the web site are on display here. Not all of the swords on display here are on the website.

Store Hours
Usually Monday through Friday 9 until 4. Back again around 5 until 7 or 7:30. Saturday more like 9 to 12. We're not in a mall. We're a small neighborhood business but on a main throughfare and with a national internet reach but still just a little laid back about keeping official store hours. If you're traveling a distance call first. We may just be up the street at "Eddies" buying lunch or supper. In the other direction is the really nice Al's Pit Beef. Try the pit turkey first though. Outstanding!

About our swords

Thanks again for stopping by. We are offering a wide variety of swords and sword sets in price ranges that bring this facinating hobby within the budget of anyone and everyone. The composition of the sword blades vary from piece to piece. Some of the blades are made of high strength carbon steel and others of the finest 440 Stainless Steel.

In order to protect the finish of the steel blades most are covered with a very light film of protective oil. We suggest that you do the same with your sword whether it is used strictly for show and display or if you are taking it outside and having fun with it. The Stainless Steel swords naturally do not need this light coating of oil.

By the way, all of the three piece sword sets do come with a very nice display stand at no extra charge.

Please be aware that these are real swords and certainly not toys. While some swords come from us sharper than others, all of them carry an edge when they arrive at your home. When not used properly it is very easy to harm yourself or someone else. As a consequence of this we will not sell anything on this site or in our store to minors. At the time of checkout you will have to verify that you are at least 18 years old.

These items are chiefly manufactured in Pakistan and China. Some blades are of carbon steel and many are 440 Stainless Steel. In an actual battle where actual blood would be spilled I would not necessarily want to be armed with one of these swords especially if I had to fight more than one person. I'd also rather have a gun under those circumstances anyway.

These swords are primarily for display and collecting purposes but I know some people do other things with them. They go places and swing them around and cut things with them. We don't recommend that but people do it anyway. Some people tell me that they use them for training purposes in learning Kung Fu and other of the martial arts. We think that's great but we don't guarantee their performance or their expected life span. Of the sword. Or, of them.

How long will one of our swords hold an edge? It's going to vary depending on the specific sword and its use.

If a sword doesn't come sharpened can it be sharpened? My experience so far is that the answer to that question is definitely "yes".

Legal Disclaimer of Liability
You must be at least 18 years old to purchase this item. No exceptions. By purchasing this item you declare your understanding that this is not a toy, that it is sharp and dangerous, must be handled with care at all times, and that you have already assumed responsibility for ensuring that it's purchase does not violate any laws or local ordianances and that it is not a violation of any law to ship this item to the address that you specify. This item is sold for display and/or collecting purposes. We do not intend for anyone to take us seriously about taking this item into battle as a real Samurai Warrior.

Shipping Policy
Once payment in full has been confirmed your order normally will ship within 72 hours. If you pay by credit card (VISA or MASTERCARD only) payment will be confirmed almost immediately. On large orders we may ask you to fax a copy of the front and back of your credit card. Fraud has become so rampant in recent months that we almost have no choice.

If you pay by check we will not ship until your check has cleared. This is normally a ten day process before our bank notifies us of a bad check.

We ship anywhere in the continental United States but ONLY in the continental United States. The shipping charge is only $16.99 and we use UPS ground transport or the USPS. If you would like faster shipping we will be very happy to accommodate you. We'll simply bill you the difference between our normal shipping and the higher fee from UPS.

We do not ship overseas.

Return Policy
You have 30 days to return your purchase if you decide for any reason that you don't care for it. We will return your money for the set as long as the merchandise is in resellable condition. We will not reimburse your shipping and handling cost if you are returning the sword simply because you changed your mind or decided you really don't like it after all. Our pictures are very clear on what you are receiving. Naturally if the sword was damaged upon receipt we will cover all shipping charges.

We have collected not the most extensive collection of swords ever assembled but rather a small group of swords and sword sets of excellent quality and outstanding prices suitable for display purposes in any setting.