Tang Marks

[lyoung]

I have a Koa Isshin Mantetsu katana and on the mune of the tang are the marks for the serial number and above it at some distance are two line, these might normally be the number two, but in this case?

[Kiipu]

It is the katakana character ニ which is pronounced as "NI".  It is used as a prefix to the serial number.

ニ 三七五 NI-375.

 

When time permits, can you post pictures of both sides of the tang and one overall picture of the sword with scabbard placed below the blade?

 

For starters, take a look at the article below.

Mantetsu - South Manchurian Railway

[ROKUJURO]

Lawrence,

to get the desired help, photos should be:
 

- well focused, not foggy or blurry
- made with a dark, non reflective background for good contrast
- made with light from the side (may not apply for HAMON photos)
- made from directly above (not at an angle)
- made with correct orientation (vertically tip-upwards, especially NAKAGO photos) 
- without HABAKI but showing the MACHI and NAKAGO JIRI 
- made in high resolution to see details
- showing details of the blade (magnification) like BOSHI, HAMACHI, HAMON, HADA, NAKAGO JIRI etc.
- presented as cut-outs so very little background is shown
 

If you cannot supply good photos (..."these photos are all I have from the dealer...."/..."I do not have a good camera but only an old mobile phone...." ), DO NOT POST BAD ONES. They will not be helpful.

[Kiipu]

4 hours ago, lyoung said:

... and above it at some distance are two line, these might normally be the number two, but in this case?

 

Just one more thing, the katakana characters are following the order of the Iroha poem.  Japanese mllitaria collectors frequently refer to them by the number and not the sound.

1.　イ　I.

2.　ロ　RO.

3.　ハ　HA.

4.　ニ　NI.

Iroha

[Bruce Pennington]

OOOOOO ..... this is a 1939 blade!  

Waiting for pictures!

[lyoung]

I am late in replying, been chasing another blade. Here are photos of the Koa Isshin Mantetsu of this conversation. And though photo might not meet better standards, I haven't time now to setup for doing better shots. Perhaps more later when I am less busy. Larry

[Bruce Pennington]

Those are great, Lawrence, thank you!  Nice sword, and nice presentation.

 

The last kanji on the date is 秋 aki Autumn, so it was made Autumn 1939.  They started approximately April 1939, so yours came out about 3/4 of the year's production.

[Kiipu]

Many thanks Lawrence.  Characters and pronunciation below.  Very nice sword in excellent condition.  Thanks for sharing!

昭和己卯秋　Shōwa Tsuchinoto-U Aki.

興亞一心　Kōa Isshin.

満鐵作之　Mantetsu kore wo tsukuru　South Manchuria Railway Company (SMR) made this.