Bruce Pennington

Kip, These are always very difficult to know anything about for sure. There were many island made a swords during the war, by local people groups. They were not Japanese made, but were often in the service of locals who were serving under the Japanese. There were also many fake swords made during, and after the war. So it is almost impossible to say which category of this one falls into. If you want to do more research google “PETA forces, WWII”.

Ernie! Good to see you! A couple of thoughts: Since this is a very late-war style, it seems that the gunto shortage early in the war would not explain the officer tassel on this one. Officers were buy/renting Type 95s in the late 30's and early 40's, whereas this one was made very late in the war. At face value, this one seems to support Ohmura's guess that the cloth-wrapped tsukas were made for officers. The fact the the tassels were cut off is along the lines of what some officers did when surrendering their swords at the end of the war. Clearly, Lonnie's grandfather could have found it without a tassel and grapped the officer one from a pile, so the evidence is not positive proof; but it at least tentatively supports Ohmura. But in the end, just speculation! Very nice expample Lonnie!

Eric, I've never heard, nor seen, a reason for using katakana with numbers. The implication would be to keep track of blades made under differing contracts, but that's speculation only.

Eric, What kind of blade is this on? The first kanji is the katakana for "i", like the Mantetsu blades. But a Mantetsu would have a "TO" Tokyo arsenal inspector stamp. Generally speaking, no one has been able to demonstrate a purpose behind these numberings. All speculate they are sequential contract or production numbers. I have been collecting Mantetsu numbers to try to observe whether they follow a sequential pattern year by year, but my sample is too small, and isn't following a pattern I can point to yet. They are likely different from the painted numbers in that the painted ones are thought to be there to keep the blade with it's matched koshirae fittings as it goes through polish.

Edward, I'm sorry but I don't have any info on that one. I've added it to my Stamps document, under "unknowns" for now.

Thanks Ed, that’s what I was thinking also. No pictures necessary.

Thanks Kurt! Yes Spring 1940, and "Chi" 356.

Edward, those scratches are a katakana kanji. Any chance you could give me a pic of that? It's actually the part of the serial number that I'm interested in the most! If a picture is difficult, maybe you could look at this chart and tell me which one is yours.

Thanks Bill! “se” 243, Spring 1944 Stephen, the stamp is “REN” of the Nanman Army Arsenal Dalian Factory

Bill, could I get the serial number on that one? I'm doing an informal survey of Mantetsu numbering.

But isn’t that more accurately:

Whoa! Same kind of "I" under the Ren stamp - which means the one on Neil's isn't acidentally unfinished!!! Hmmmm. Do I have your serial number of this one Trystan? It IS a Mantetsu isn't it?

I’m thinking that my next acquisition will be one of these. I agree with you, this might be worth a polish.

That’s really cool, Neil! Hey, can you post the Mantesu date and serial number on the Mantetsu Survey thread for me? http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/26165-attention-mantetsu-owners-a-survey/

Ayieeeeeeee!!! Good thing you asked. Very bad fake. Look here at real ones: http://ohmura-study.net/905.html

Thanks Ronnie! Any chance you have the date on that one?

Yes, nice! And a very clear Nagoya stamp on the blade, which is somewhat unusual as they are more often faint or incomplete. Thanks!

Agee. Cool Seki Token contractor stamp! Could I get a better picture?

Dang, you guys! Those are both gorgeous! Thanks for the addiction fix!

Neil, So far, I have 14 blades and the following katakana in use: Ka,Sa, Ta, Na, Ra, Wa; Hi; Se; Ro. I have blades from '38, '39, '40, '41, '42, '43, '44 missing '37 and '45. Numbers range from 41 to 2340, but they aren't sequential by year as I thought they would be. The HI 41 was made in 1943! and there is a SA 520 from 1940. Haven't heard back from Morita-san as to whether he's collected Mantetsu numbers.

John, thanks, that's "SE" 72 Is the nakago too rusty to get the date?

Steve, Spring 1941; “TA” 181 Thanks!

Yeow! Look what just showed up on the Military Swords of Japan FB page (and it's brought in from a fleabay sale). Spring '44, SE 2340! OMG! That's the first 4-digit number I've ever seen! SE 2340! It's about time, though. Ohmura states that Mantetsu was making 400 PER MONTH, so in a single year there would be 4,800 blades made. Nine years of production - (assuming the production rates was steady) 43,200 blades. There were 50 Katakana "letters", so if they were used uniformly, there should be 864 blades pere katakana. So this blade shows the kanji were not used evenly.

Thanks Neil! This is already revealing something. You and I both have blades marked with "NA". Yours from 1939, number 124, and mine from '41, numbered 184. Only 60 blades were made in 2 YEARS under this "contract line" if I can call it that. Mantetsu was making 400 blades PER MONTH (Ohmura's site). In reading the stories of some various smith's it is said that a smith could crank out up to 80 swords PER MONTH. So my idea that Mantetsu started a series of blades, like "A" 1, and ran that series out a certain amount, then began with "KA" 1, and so on through the katakana alphabet - is not likely. Even if a single Mantetsu smith was assigned a number series, like Smith Bruce makes blades using "A", "KA", "SA", "TA", it seems to me that he'd run through more than 60 blades under one kanji in 2 years time. Making just 60 blades per month, Smith Bruce would run through 12 Katakana lines in just one year! More collecting, and analyzing to be done!

Calling all Mantetsu Owners: I'm doing a very informal survey of serial numbers on Mantetsu blades. I'd like to see if there is a progression of the katakana from year to year, or if they are randomly scattered throughout the years. If you own one, please post the year and serial number below. I seem to recall a woman on this forum that had collected one from each year of production! If you read this PLEASE post your dates and numbers. Thanks to all who help out! Mine: Spring 1941 - "Na" 184