Attention Mantetsu Owners: A Survey

[Kiipu]

I see the "To" but don't see the Nakano stamp?

 

It is not pictured, just illustrated.  He states it is on the other side of the kabutogane.

 

反対側に以下の二つの刻印

The following two stamps on the other side

 

[Bruce Pennington]

It is not pictured, just illustrated.  He states it is on the other side of the kabutogane.

Ah So! Too bad, I'd like to have that stamp for the Stamps Doc.

[Bruce Pennington]

It's possible we have some guys with similar kabutogane. I cannot find the thread, but someone started a thread specifically for high-quality fittings, and some of these stamped kabuto's were posted. Maybe someone can find it and we can check with each owner.

[BANGBANGSAN]

Bruce

The link is here http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/19448-first-time-i-have-seen-this-mark-on-kabo/

[Bruce Pennington]

Bingo! Thanks Trystan! I’ll add that stamp to the Stamps Doc.

[Possumcop]

I just got another one.

[Bruce Pennington]

I just got another one.

Nice Sam!

 

Can you do me a big favor and post a pic to the serial number without the habaki? The kanji, as view could be either a "Ra" or "U", and it's blocking the top of the kanji.

 

Thanks dude!

 

The etched kanji on the tsuba simply match the painted assembly numbers on the nakago "2 8 7"

[Possumcop]

Bruce,

 

The Habaki is on very tight, I tried to remove it but didn't want to mess anything up.  I will try again and update when I can. The 3 seppa have the 287 to match the tsuba kanji.  The Tsuka is a little loose and looks to be missing 1 maybe 2 seppa.

[Possumcop]

Here is a better picture of the serial number and another w/m.

[Bruce Pennington]

Wow Sam, thanks for the update, I had it completely wrong on that katakana! It's "RO 273".

 

It's not significant that the fitting numbers are different than the blade number. The korshirae companies used their own numbering system when outfitting a blade.

[Possumcop]

RO not NO?

[Bruce Pennington]

RO not NO?

Dang, typo, sorry - NO 273.

 

A mind is a terrible thing to waste ..... sheesh.

[Bruce Pennington]

Just bought one, and will post it in the For Sale forum. Got it from our famous Showa22 on fleabay, but the blade is legit. MOST of the parts are clearly original with matching assembly number 62. 2 of the smaller seppa might be added later. It's a pretty thing, and blade is a beauty. I believe, and have asked Showa22 for any clarification that he's aware of, the tsuka was rewrapped. The same' is very weathered and yellowed yet the ito is so new looking it doesn't appear to have ever been held in-hand - no sweat or dirt or wear.

 

In a similar way, the saya has an odd blotchy, yet smooth, poor quality look, yet the metal fittings (except for the ashi) are near mint.

 

It's a good looking piece, all legit WWII fittings, but the saya paint and weather ito makes me think this was in badly damaged fittings, and has been returned to it's glory by someone who cares about gunto/Mantetsu after the war.

 

Spring 1943, Nanman stamped, WE 299

 

Of course, I could be wrong and it's all original.

[16k]

Oooooohhhhhh!

[Kiipu]

I just got another one.

 

Does the kabuto-gane have a 東 inspection mark?  If so, what side?

 

ノ = NO.

 

[Possumcop]

Kiipu, it does not have that stamp.

[Bruce Pennington]

It’s got marks but I cannot tell if they are stamps or not

 

 

I’m fairly certain mine does.

[BANGBANGSAN]

Looks like T J

 

 

It’s got marks but I cannot tell if they are stamps or not

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I’m fairly certain mine does.

[Bruce Pennington]

I've done some more looking into the Mantetsu posted in #463. I now feel that all the parts are original except the kabutogane, sayajiri, sarute, and one seppa. Oh, and the ito is new. So I don't think anything was really done to this that I didn't do, myself, to my Dad's Mantetsu. I looks really good. I'm posting now in the For Sale thread.

[IJASWORDS]

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. 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Neil, we can probably tell from how the Nakago is finished, Habaki and Sugata.

[IJASWORDS]

As requested.

[16k]

Looks very Mantetsu indeed! Down to the Habaki? Could symbol be hiragana “RO"?

[IJASWORDS]

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

[Bruce Pennington]

Well, Neil, you never cease to amaze! Your serial number is "い" (hiragana for "I") 1170 and is only found on 1945 blades, so your observation about the year was spot-on. I agree the entire nakago, and the kesho yasurime are classic Mantetsu. But no mei!

 

Your "desperado" label may be true too, as the serial number is the highest I've seen. All our '45s so far are 3-digit numbers. This COULD be one of the last Mantetsu made!!! That would be a real find, wouldn't it!

 

The fittings are even "unique-er" than any of that style you've shown us before. Specifically, that ashi is something I haven't seen before. Yes, the band I've seen, but the part where the ring attaches to the band seems unique.

 

Well, one for the record books. I'll add this to the Mantetsu Study files.

[BANGBANGSAN]

Neil

Very cool!I saw one like yours before,but the blade in not so good condition.

 

 

 

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. 

[IJASWORDS]

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.

[Kiipu]

Spring 1943, Nanman stamped, WE 299

 

It is the first ヱ WE that I am aware of.  Just to clarify, are there any M partial inspection marks on the nakago?  If so, what side?

 

[Bruce Pennington]

It is the first ヱ WE that I am aware of.  Just to clarify, are there any M partial inspection marks on the nakago?  If so, what side?

Sorry, but the only other stamps are "6 2" matching the tsuba & seppa. No "M".

[PNSSHOGUN]

That is a great find Neil, interesting how the Mantetsu almost comes full circle, from just the SMR on the earliest examples stamp to Mumei on the last.