IJASWORDS

So Bruce/Thomas, do you think with this evidence........ Only Mantetsu blades, signed or mumei. Dates of 1944/1945. Nan-Man and SMR stamps. Fuller's work is speculation, and Dawson echoes this. Based on the limited examples they saw. No photos of surrendered examples in Japan or Pacific. That we can now call these a unique model (albeit very rare), made in Manchuria, not a rinji, not a prototype, not a type 44, and not a "late war home defence sword"? And what would be an appropriate designation for these? It would be nice to set the sword records straight.

John, good questions. One thing I have noticed is that the type you have is normally in pristine condition. Like they never saw battle. So a presentation sword, that was kept in a safe place is not out of the question. For comparison I posed one of mine to look like your third photo. This blade is Ichimonji Minamoto Amahide, and is pristine like the koshirae.

Beautiful John, that light tan/grey is very normal with the silver fittings.

So, looking back on Thomas's work, it appears that these Mantetsu type 100 were fully made in 1944/1945 at the Nan-Nan arsenal in Manchuria. Why are they called type 100? They have 2 mekugi ana, but only one hole in the tzuka. Up till Thomas's work, I have seen them called prototypes or late war Japanese home defence swords. This to me doesn't ring true. One of my 1944's is pictured. It is a Mantetsu Tanzo Kore, stamped, SE2340. It has Nanman stamp, and a rail stamp. So these swords are unique models, not a rinji prototype, or a last ditch home defence sword. Were they only made for officers serving in China? This may explain their rarity, and to my knowledge why none were seen in photos of swords captured in the Pacific or Japan. I think these are important questions in the search for knowledge on Mantetsu.

Here are close ups of the suspension rings.... First one is a Spring 1944 Mantetsu Tanzo Kore, SE2340. Second is the 1945 mumei, I1170. Although late war, the detail is still nice. Note the cherry blossom motif.

If and when they do oil, what do Nihonto professional carers use for oil?

Great question. I have wondered the same thing.

Thanks Guys, the collector I got it from just described it as a late war mumei blade. It wasn't till I pulled it apart that the mune stamps, file marks and habaki filled me with hope that it could be one of the last 1945's made. The blade is stained, but no rust pits or scratches. I am not one who interferes with swords, but will give it a good oily rub to see how it comes up. I am actually pleased there is no mei, as it is very unique, showing that there was no time to inscribe the nakago, but still had the serial number stamped on it. It will be interesting to see if there is any later numbers than this I1170, or other mumei Mantetsu turn up.

Yep, never seen that one before.

JP, habaki looks very Mantetsu, and the file marks match as well.

As requested.

Hey Bruce, I picked up a very late war rinji, with a mumei blade that looks Mantetsu but no mei or date. BUT, had mune stamps reminiscent of Mantetsu. It is possibly a 1945 desperado, as most of this model had Mantetsu blades. I have three already, you have those numbers. Do these numbers ring a bell? Could it be a RARE one? Looks like Something 1170.

Thanks Mark.

This is a Showa Norinaga. I am struggling a bit with the date. Looks like 1944, but I am confused about the rest. June, 1944?

With Paul's permission, I add a Gassan Ayasugi hada.

John, this thread should be flooded by responses. In my gendaito collection, it is hard to find something that is not Bizen. Sadakatsu being my favourite sword at the moment. But he did make other styles. Where is David Flynn when you need him. I am sure he could help us out.

Thanks David, it is a very early war example, with my favourite vermilion painted saya.

Adam, from a militaria collectors point of view, to me it adds value as they are not too common. But only if it was done in WW2 and not a later addition.

Some gunto horimono, both by Kanemichi, the kanji example signed Kanetoki, his early signature.

There is sometimes a tendency (with advancing years), to develop "old man's syndrome", where frustration or even anger over takes rationality. In my day ice cream was nicer, tomatoes tasted like tomatoes should, and young drivers are hopeless. Sorry but it's a fact, the young of today look for, and are used to instant gratification. Why read research and study when you can ask for and expect an answer. Get used to it! We are lucky the NMB draws a crowd, at least that shows some initiative that a bit of online research is taking place. Many start as uninformed newbies, but the good ones stay, learn and develop. Just suck it up, and read and reply to those topics that interest you, and skip the ones that don't. If it helps stop some kid buying a Chinese fake, or helping with Grandads' war souvenir, job done! The place for non-nihonto topics is Izakaya, you don't have to read it.

JP, just saw your fake and it is TOO red.

JP, original ones are definitely red.

David good topic. Hope it helps future buyers tell the difference between real and fake. Here is one of mine that is the actual one photographed in Dawson's book. Still is untied (no knot), below the slider.

A steel that is rust resistant due to a chromium/nickel content, that contains alloying elements that are called carbide formers can be heat treated to form what looks like a Hamon. These days it is normally done by induction heating the portion to be hardened and water quenching.

Interesting Bryce, mine is also on an early model. Maybe the quality and detail declined during the war?