Fusilier Posted October 16 Report Posted October 16 G'day All, Some years ago I purchased a collection from a retired New South Wales Police inspector. It consisted of a few really nice NSWC marked pieces, including a Martini Henry Rifle and a Pattern 1886 Cavalry Sword. There were also a couple of Japanese swords (a Type 32 'Ko' and this WW2 Showa era tachi) and a quantity of bayonets. All were correctly labelled and they included this sword which was labelled as an 'Unmarked WW2 Japanese Officers Sword'. I didn't check that that was an accurate description at the time, I only remember thinking that it was a more robust sword than many of those I had come across at that point and stored it away. This weekend as I was sorting through a few boxes to see if there was anything in them I wanted to list on eBay in the run up to Christmas I came across it and thought I might just give it the onece over. I was surprised to discover it wasn't the Mumei example I thought it was as you'll see from the attached pictures. Any assistance anyone can give me in translating the mei on both sides of the nakago would be very much appreciated. 2 Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted October 16 Report Posted October 16 Koa Isshin Mantetsu, lots of info available on them around the web. 1 Quote
uwe Posted October 16 Report Posted October 16 The other side is a date, Shōwa Kanoetatsu = 1940 1 1 Quote
Fusilier Posted October 16 Author Report Posted October 16 1 hour ago, PNSSHOGUN said: Koa Isshin Mantetsu, lots of info available on them around the web. Thanks Mate, Bruce Pennington's article on these swords is brilliant. 1 Quote
ROKUJURO Posted October 16 Report Posted October 16 I sincerely hope that it is not a concrete floor that the blade is lying on.... 1 Quote
John C Posted October 16 Report Posted October 16 17 hours ago, Fusilier said: Any assistance anyone can give me in translating the mei on both sides of the nakago would be very much appreciated. David: Any chance of getting a pic of the serial number on the nakago mune? We track these mantetsu. @Bruce Pennington Thank you, John C 2 Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted October 17 Report Posted October 17 Yes, awaiting serial number! Interesting looking gunto. The haikan (belt hanger ring) looks like it was made for a leather cover, which, as is often the case, has gone missing. 1 Quote
Fusilier Posted October 19 Author Report Posted October 19 On 10/17/2024 at 8:45 AM, John C said: David: Any chance of getting a pic of the serial number on the nakago mune? We track these mantetsu. @Bruce Pennington Thank you, John C Quote
Fusilier Posted October 19 Author Report Posted October 19 I hope this is what you and Bruce were after, is this the number? its all I could see on the nakago mune. 1 Quote
John C Posted October 19 Report Posted October 19 8 hours ago, Fusilier said: is this the number? It was! Actually, I can make out a 2 but that's it. The good news is that a serial number adds to its legitimacy. @Bruce Pennington John C. 1 1 Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted October 20 Report Posted October 20 David, Thanks for the mune shot! I agree with John - can see a "2" but corrosion has taken everything else. I've filed it as a Spring 1940 Koa Isshin # ? 2. 1 Quote
Fusilier Posted October 20 Author Report Posted October 20 G'day Guy's, As usual, your assistance is hugely appreciated and also as usual I have learnt a great deal about something I knew very little about. Bruce and Team Mantetsu's article was really fascinating, thank you. Cheers David 1 Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted October 20 Report Posted October 20 Good chance it originally had a leather cover over the Saya. 1 Quote
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