Attention Mantetsu Owners: A Survey

[BANGBANGSAN]

Has anyone noticed early Mantetsu's Pierced Tsuba is thicker than regular Tsuba? What's the difference between early official Mantetsu fitting and later  98 fitting used on Mantetsu?

[Bruce Pennington]

16 minutes ago, Bruno said:

How many Mantetsu-to have you referenced so far? 

216 with full numbers, mei, and date.   There would be more, but many pictures found on the web don't show the serial numbers.

[PNSSHOGUN]

@BANGBANGSAN it's an early Type 94 Tsuba, they are considerably thicker than normal. I believe the Koa Isshin swords have their own unique Koshirae makers early on, they have a unique Kabuotgane and Tsuka-Ito.

[Bruce Pennington]

28 minutes ago, BANGBANGSAN said:

early Mantetsu's Pierced Tsuba

Wow, Trystan, my '39 Mantetsu has that same exact tsuba!  Had to have been the same koshirae shop!

 

My thought was the same as John's on the thickness, but was hoping he'd comment.  He's far more knowledgeable on koshirae.  

 

Here's mine.  

 

Next to my '41 Mantetsu

[Bruce Pennington]

Make that 217!  John just fed me a link to one Bill Brannow had sold a while back.  It's got a General Officer tassel and up for auction again.  Wish I had the fun-money to go for it!!!

 

I've posted it HERE if anyone wants to have a go at it.

[IJASWORDS]

This 1939 Mantetsu has many of the attributes of a model 94, centre lock etc, it even looks like a second hanger was evident from the paint damage. 

[Bruce Pennington]

That General's Mantetsu at auction has the same fat tsuba with the identical pattern around the edge-face.

[Stephen]

How in the world do you see that photo...i only see three two of nakago.

[Bruce Pennington]

I just got some pics from the auction house - everything BUT the serial number I asked for!

[Stephen]

Very nice TY

[Stephen]

Went back and looked at all habaki

Think they sent you the other sword pix. 

I may be wrong.

Silver on the yasukuni blade

Copper on Mantetsu

[PNSSHOGUN]

Hmm I this is a different sword from the one Bill had. 

[Bruno]

On 11/18/2020 at 3:18 AM, IJASWORDS said:

This one of mine, ticked a few boxes. Wavy Hamon, fairly clean Nakago, Green painted Saya, early mounts, Spring 1939. Bruce has the Mune numbers.

 

 

 

It looks very nicely finished, great specimen you have here!

 

[PNSSHOGUN]

A few here: http://kajiyahiroshi.com/nihonto/gunto/ka357072/token-ka357072.html

[Bruce Pennington]

9 hours ago, PNSSHOGUN said:

A few

Thanks John!  I've never seen so many Mantetsu on one site!  I had a couple of those already but several were new.  Now added!

[Kiipu]

Thank you for the link.  Two of them were new additions.

 

The blade tip seems thickened on ム 五五五.  Is this correct?  It is an early army contract blade with two M inspection stamps. It looks to have a 東 stamp on the kabutogane.  If so, this is the earliest Mantetsu with this marking feature.

http://kajiyahiroshi.com/nihonto/gunto/ka311202/token-ka311202.html

 

Edit:  It seems this is a common feature on Mantetsu blades.

Edited November 28, 2020 by Kiipu

[Bruce Pennington]

47 minutes ago, Kiipu said:

is a common feature on Mantetsu

Must be.  Here’s mine:

[Kiipu]

Sooner or later is was bound to happen!  A 37th series army contract Mantetsu with serial number 1.  It was found in The Oshigata Book by F&G.

Nakago Mune: サ 一.

Nakago Obverse: 昭和癸未春 with possible M inspection mark.

Nakago Reverse: 満鐵鍛造之 with 南 inspection mark.

Mekugi-ana: 1.

 

[Bruce Pennington]

1 hour ago, Kiipu said:

Nakago Mune: サ 一.

Nice one Thomas!  It's now added to the study.

[BANGBANGSAN]

Bruce

Do you have this one?昭和戊寅冬 1938  N377

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Yes, Trystan, exact same 3 pictures, but thanks!

[No Clue]

Hi there! I have been browsing the topic. Very interesting!  So, I just posted a few photos of a Mantetsu. Serial Number H14.  Seen any others with an "H" ?

[No Clue]

The "H" almost looks like the earlier capital "I"  I've seen on these posts regarding the SMR. ( if you look at it the opposite way)

[Bruce Pennington]

Nikki,

Welcome to Mantetsu World! HA!  Your "H" 14 is new to us, and fabulous!  Please do me a favor and give us photos of both sides of the full nakago, and it would be great to see the fittings it came in. 

 

I'm guessing this should be a 1938.

[No Clue]

I asked for Translation and yes, he said 1938.  I'm not sure , due to being a novice, but I will provide any pics I can. I am pretty sure it isn't top notch, but in fair condition.  Give me till tomorrow for most of pics as the light is better in daylight.  I will try and post some tonight.

[Kiipu]

Your sword in an early Mantetsu, serial number H14, that was made in the second year of production.  Production is thought to have started in late 1937.  It is fitted out as an army Type 98 Guntō.  It looks to have the thick crossguard (tsuba) that BangBangSan has pointed out recently.  Your handle is missing a few items but I will let Bruce handle this aspect of the sword.  Thank you for sharing information about your sword and here is a link to taking care of it.

Japanese SWORD CARE AND ETIQUETTE

Links to additional photographs of Mantetsu H14.

Read forums, need more, on Manchurian....

I have no idea and need help please in Translation

 

Nakago Mune

H14

Nakago Reverse

SMR logo

Nakago (tang) Obverse

昭和戊寅秋 = 1938 Autumn

 

[Bruce Pennington]

1 hour ago, Kiipu said:

Links

Thanks Thomas,! Just when I thought it was safe to not be reading all of the forums every day! Ha!

 

That’s actually a really good looking one, just need to find a guy to re-wrap the handle for you.

[No Clue]

Yes, Thank you also, Thomas! You guys have been really great and so informative.  Actually Bruce, I think it needs a little more TLC than just the handle.  The blade needs some TLC also.  Is there someone in New Jersey  that can give this sword the attention it needs?

[No Clue]

[No Clue]