Help with translation on family NCO sword

[Blaise]

Hello I have a WW2 katana length NCO sword from my grandfather, if anyone can help me translate and understand the meaning of the markings on the tang. 

 

[uwe]

Welcome Blaise!

 

It is signed:
 

“興亜一心  満鐵作之” (Kōa Isshin Mantetsu kore o saku)

“昭和辛己春 (Spring 1941)

[Brian]

http://japaneseswordindex.com/koa.htm

[Stephen]

@Bruce Pennington

[Bruce Pennington]

Thanks Stephen!

 

@Blaise - Welcome.  Not an NCO blade.  The link Brian provided goes into some detail about this South Manchurian Railway Company, SMR or Mantetsu, made officer sword.  Likely mounted as a Type 98.  Could you post a photo or 2 of the full rig showing fittings?

 

The guys collected all we could find on the SMR sword operation and compiled a more in-depth article.  You can download it here at NMB:

Mantetsu - South Manchurian Railway. 

 

@Kiipu @BANGBANGSAN

[Kiipu]

The serial number on the top edge of the tang, called a nakago mune, is ソ二一九 [SO 219].  If there is a second tick mark in the upper left hand corner, then it is ツ TSU.