Markings/ translation help

[Big Dan 146]

WW2 bring back. Looks like the signature includes “with respect” & “made by” but that’s as far as I could get. And the date is in Spring. 
 

Also, from lurking and reading through various threads, I’d like to point out the little “m/w” stamp at the end of the tang! Thanks. 

[Ray Singer]

Please see below regarding mantetsu-to.

https://www.japaneseswordindex.com/koa.htm

[Bruce Pennington]

Hi John!

You've got a very fine Mantetsu sword there!

2nd photo

Koa Isshin   Mantetsu made this

 

3rd

1942 Spring

 

Serial number: RA 1027

 

Interesting note, you now have the earliest know Mantetsu blade with the "W/M" stamp!  Our understanding is that it is a "halfway inspection" mark.  It's seen on all sorts of military equipment of the era, but they started showing up on blades in 1942 when the Army assumed control of all sword production.

 

Ray's link has all the essentials.  For a more in-depth read, you can download our South Manchurian Railway - The Mantetsu Blade article.

 

@Kiipu @BANGBANGSAN

 

 

[Big Dan 146]

This is great info! I have some reading to do. Thanks guys. 

[Kiipu]

The red paint toward the bottom of the tang is the number 23.  The prefix to this number eludes me however.  This number is also on the bottom of the hilt.

二三 = 23.