Mantetsu-To With No Yokote?

[Gasam]

Heyas,

 

Have come across a mantetsu to. Sellers pics are not so good, but seller has enough understanding of Japanese swords to state that the sword has no yokote but a clearly visible boshi in the kissaki area.

 

So, anyone ever come across a Mantetsu without yokote? To me at this point it looks like blade abuse?

 

Thank you for looking :-)

[Grey Doffin]

I agree; the yokote was lost to an amateur polish/abuse.

Grey

[Geraint]

It is hard to tell from the picture but just for the sake of argument I have a gunto by Matsuda Kanetaka which also is without yokote.  The condition of the polish and everything else about the sword confirms that this was as issued, no subsequent amateur polish.  I have wondered if the polishing shop simply skipped a stage as I have to admit I didn't notice it at first.  Not sure what this tells us but here it is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

All the best.

 

[ROKUJURO]

Geraint,

this blade looks like an oil hardened one, and perhaps in the days of war they did not care too much to have it polished traditionally. 

[Dave R]

 Not the first Gunto I have heard of, to originaly have had a non traditional polish.  http://www.ryujinswords.com/kanetatsu2.htm

[Grey Doffin]

If the shiny area at the tip is a reflection and not a polish job then I am probably wrong; maybe this never had a yokote.

Grey

[Gasam]

Heyas again,

 

Thank you all for your input.

 

Seller sent some kissaki pictures. Think I see the faintest hint of a yokote in one of them.

 

I have consulted the one book I have on military swords of Japan, not much to find there.

 

Very uncertain about this one. Asking price in the 700 USD range. Might risk it at that price. Koshirae seems intact save for the metal loop at end of tsuka and the tassel.

 

Grey: The shiny area at the tip is a reflection I am told.

 

Once again thank you all for your time.

[Bruce Pennington]

Here are pics of my Dad's Mantetsu. Seems identical. In hand, I can see a ridge where the yakote is, but if it was every polished, it looks like it has long since rubbed off.

 

And that's a steal for a Mantetsu!

[Bruce Pennington]

Dave & Grey,

 

I'm glad to see you both in the same place at the same time!  I was wondering if you were the same guy, posting under 2 names!!! Now I can see the difference! HA!

[Dave R]

Dave & Grey,

 

I'm glad to see you both in the same place at the same time!  I was wondering if you were the same guy, posting under 2 names!!! Now I can see the difference! HA!

?

[Bruce Pennington]

I'm joking, but your pictures are close enough (grey hair & beards) to get you two confused!

[J Reid]

Gasam,

In the last picture you posted of the kissaki, it looks like it shows that the blade has a hagire. Even at $700- I'd be weary without better pictures.