Koa Isshin Mantetsu>>??

[The_ozzy_samurai]

Hey guys i have this sword will get some better images in a day or so, the tang looks to be signed somewhat different to another one i saw with same signature,but what i really want to know is what are the marks on spine for? i read somewhere that there is no one man named Koa Isshin Mantetsu but the blade signed like this where made for an exibition of swords in 1939? and that only the best smiths were able to attend or show off there blades, but all the blades where signed the same from many different high grade smiths, is there any truth to this or was that a dodgy website yes i dont have any books,

 

Also is it just a myth that these are highly collectable or hunted more then other swords from that era? i read from a site that said these swords are one of the best and strongest blades to come out of Japan?? surely not i would think but im not an expert,cheer's

 

Julian

 

 

 

 

[Stephen]

the kanji on the mune is numbers you should be able to look those up.

 

http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/kanji/nengo.htm

 

http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/koa.htm

is the most up to day info that i know of.

[Brian]

They aren't considered highly as art swords..not fully traditionally made. But sought after by the militaria collectors. They supposedly cut and performed well.

The story you have about their manufacture is just that I think....a story.

But they do fetch a premium over the other machine made and semi mass produced swords.

Huge amount of info here:

http://ohmura-study.net/998.html

and here:

http://japaneseswordindex.com/koa.htm

 

Brian

[cabowen]

Follow the omura links above that Brian provided for the true story behind these blades.

 

In a nutshell, made scientifically, not traditionally, to have excellent cutting ability. Purely practical weapons not meant to be confused with finely crafted nihon-to,

[Stephen]

and here:

http://japaneseswordindex.com/koa.htm

 

Brian

 

 

Deja Vu all over again...lol

[reeder]

Yes, mantestsu blade, look at links provided for details.

 

-brandon

[The_ozzy_samurai]

Hey guys,

 

Thanks for the response and i had a look at those links, some interesting info about these koa mantetsu blades, they do seem to be made strong,its a shame they cut one into 5 piece's tho,but it shows quality atleast, so here is the harder question what is it worth would you think, its in good shape as i maybe looking to sell it as i have my eye on something else,cheer's

 

Julian

 

 

 

 

 

[LakeBum]

Could someone please write out Koa Isshin Mantetsu in the Japanese characters please? I'm going to the show of shows at the end of the month and would really love to have them written down. Writing them from the steel I am afraid I'll miss something.

 

Thank you for your time!

[John A Stuart]

興亜一心満鉄作 John

[obiwanknabbe]

Julian,

 

In response to your "Whats it worth?" question, I actually have some very concrete numbers. I happen to love the Koa Isshin Mantetsu swords. I have a beauty of an example myself. Having had the same curiosity as to what it could be worth, I have been tracking auction prices for the past few months. Here is a tally of the hammer prices i came across for blades in similar condition but none with tassel:

 

1) 1939 Blade with mantetsu company logo $3150.00 USD

2) 1943 blade marked Mantetsu (not koa isshin) $1532.00 USD

3) 1939 Koa Isshin Mantetsu marked $2278.00 USD

4) 1939 Koa Isshin Mantetsu marked $2860.00 USD

 

 

Hope that helps. Personally I would hold on to her. I have a feeling that there are not too many good examples of these around anymore.

 

Kurt. K

[LakeBum]

Thank you John!

[The_ozzy_samurai]

Thanks for the replies and info on this sword, i have decided to go ahead with selling it, i would much prefer this koto blade in gunto mounts,as it is absolute mint condition blade and mounts,cheer's guy's