Attention Mantetsu Owners: A Survey

[PeterCollector]

On 9/18/2024 at 1:29 AM, Kiipu said:

 

Peter, can you check the date side of the tang, that is the side marked 昭和壬午秋, for any small M stamps.  The flattened M stamp will usually be located toward the top, the bottom, or both top & bottom.  If on the top, they are sometimes under the habaki.

I am sorry about that, but l can not move habaki, it is frozen to blade  I also did not see any M stamp.

[Kiipu]

Many thanks for looking Peter.  No need to proceed further and risk damage to the habaki.  The kabutogane looks to have a deeply struck 東, which would indicate an army contract blade from 1942.

[Bruce Pennington]

@mdiddy @Kiipu @BANGBANGSAN

Matt, just saw this 1944 Mantetsu in MRS fittings, with the "REN I" stamp.  Sale ends in 5 hours!  Any chance of getting a photo of the serial number, PLEASE!

*RARE MANTETSU* WWII Japanese Samurai Sword SHIN GUNTO WW2 KATANA TYPE 3 RAILWAY

[Bruce Pennington]

Matt kindly sent us this photo of that serial number, for the record. The katakana is partially struck, but it should be SE 2431 of 1944 Spring.

[PeterCollector]

Hello, 

 

dear fellow collectors, I just want to share my latest sword made my Mantetsu. What is really nice is that whole sword is numbered "6" or "9" - on each of its part. Blade is in full mint condition, marked two times with "w" charakter, one time "6" on the back and below ith is also marked with bad punch "6". Please can you help me with exact datation of the sword? 

 

There is also little marking on pommel. It looks like sword was made with set of only four seppa, but everything holds tight without any movings. The sword is in state in which I bought it, I did not polished it, on ly cleaned it with piece of cloth. I hope you like the sword and if you see any red flags, please tell me, but I hope there is nothing to worry about the sword.

 

Kind regards

 

Peter

[PeterCollector]

Here are few closeup photos of the blade, I hope you like it. 

 

Kind regards

 

Peter

[Bruce Pennington]

It's a real beauty, Peter!  Thanks for posting!

 

The small stamp on the kabutogane is the Tokyo 1st Army Arsenal inspector stamp.

 

The mei is Koa Isshin  Mantetesu made this

 

Date: Spring 1942

 

Serial number: ノ302, or "NO 302".  The NO series was right in the middle of the 1942 production year.  If they counted the year by fiscal year (April to next Mar), it would put your blade around Oct of '42.  If calendar year, it would be around Jun '42.

 

You can read more on the following, but in short, the "W" or "M" was a half-way inspection stamp used by the army.

The Mysterious W Stamp

[BANGBANGSAN]

@Bruce Pennington

Unfinished Mantetsu made in China

[Bruce Pennington]

Sad to see that!  Is it actually up for sale, or are they still finishing it?