WW2 Japanese OFFICERS GUNTO GENDAITO SWORD SIGNED KOA ISSHIN MANTETSU

[Swords]

Hi Dose any one know about his swords?

The hada It has a straight temper not much of a Boshi The blade itself looks darker as compared to other Traditional made ones 

it because of the forging and metal used 

The is my first  ISSHIN MANTETSU sword so I’m not that familiar with his swords 

 

Steve

[Swords]

Here’s photos of the mei 

[John C]

Steve:

Here are a couple of sites to get you started. They explain quite a bit about Mantetsu swords.

 

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

 

http://ohmura-study.net/998.html

 

John C.

[John C]

@Bruce Pennington

Do we have this serial number yet?

 

John C.

[Swords]

Thanks John I should had explained more clearly I know about the Manchurian in attempt to make pure steel  I was asking more about 

the anesthetic darker surface of the blade and straight hada it almost looks like fine scratches but other swords I have seen looks similar to this one

Anyway just an observation 

 

steve 

[David Flynn]

The scratches, look like someone did a Amateur clean up job. 

[moriarty]

I agree with David

Seems like someone ran a bit of sandpaper over the length of the blade, although it doesn't seem too major

[Swords]

Yep I wasn’t 💯 sure but I agree Damm it didn’t look like that in the original photos 

[Brian]

There is no hada on these. They are made of mono construction steel and oil quenched.
But collectible in their own right, as they are currently "in fashion"

[Bruce Pennington]

On 2/15/2025 at 1:27 PM, John C said:

@Bruce Pennington

Do we have this serial number yet?

 

John C.

Thanks John, yes it's on file.  Got it from an ebay sale back in April '23, then Lee Bray (edit: RobCarter3) in June '23.  It's one of the blades with the early Nan stamp on the mune.

[Swords]

Now I’m a bit confused

Brian i agree with you not having a hada

Back to the scratches Are we on the same page that someone cleaned it leaving scratches?

 

 

Steve

[Swords]

I’m still sitting on the fence about scratches could I be mistaken ? I wish that I could have another do a hands on rather than pictures

As Brian pointed out there’s no hada but I can see a straight hada Can the metal cause it to look more like scratches?

Just an observation Here’s more pics 

 

 

steve

[Lewis B]

55 minutes ago, Swords said:

I’m still sitting on the fence about scratches could I be mistaken ? I wish that I could have another do a hands on rather than pictures

As Brian pointed out there’s no hada but I can see a straight hada Can the metal cause it to look more like scratches?

Just an observation Here’s more pics 

 

 

steve

Scratches? Yes. Looks like someone took a Brillo pad to it. Click for enlarged image and they are very easy to see. 

 

 

[ROKUJURO]

Steven,

do you confuse HADA with HAMON? These blades have of course a HAMON.

[John C]

Steve:

In this one pic, the red circles are scratches and the green circle is hamon. The scratches go all the way to the kissaki. But keep in mind, these could be period. This may have been cleaned shortly after some GI received it.

 

John C.

[Swords]

Thanks for clearing up the hamon

John As far as I’m concerned regardless who cleaned it ruined the integrity of the sword

Not for me I’m returning it Too bad it’s a waste of a nice sword 

I haven’t had much luck with swords lately people who i thought i could trust cant 

 

 

 

 

[Brian]

Not sure you know exactly what you are looking for. Mantetsu swords are purchased for their history and as militaria. They certainly aren't bought for their artistic traits. They don't exhibit nice hataraki or interesting hamon. They are arsenal swords, but made using certain techniques that increased their useability. Whether it's cleaned a bit or not isn't the prime factor in owning one of them. If you are looking for a nice WW2 sword with interesting hamon and showing hada/hataraki, then Mantetsu swords aren't where you should be looking. What were you expecting of this sword? It's a factory, not a particular smith. This is like buying a Type 95 Gunto and then lamenting that it doesn't have a nice polish or hamon.
 

[Bruce Pennington]

13 hours ago, Swords said:

ruined the integrity of the sword

Not for me I’m returning it Too bad it’s a waste of a nice sword 

Mine was in pretty bad shape originally.  Polished up quite well:

[Swords]

Thanks Brian for your positive comments I’m aware that this type of sword doesn’t have a nice hamon However it’s been my experience that with any sword having an Amateurish clean up loses its value. I also believe it would be hard to resell Maybe I’m wrong? Just my opinion 

 

John just curious who did the polish 

 

 

[Swords]

Sorry I meant Bruce not John

[Bruce Pennington]

If you are planning to re-sell, then, yes you might not want this one.  You could face the same sort of complaint from the next buyer.

[Swords]

Bruce Can I ask who did the polishing on your sword ?

 

 

 

 

Steve

[ROKUJURO]

1 hour ago, Swords said:

.....I’m aware that this type of sword doesn’t have a nice hamon .....

Steven,

did you understand what Brian wrote? These swords have a SUGUHA HAMON but no HADA! 

[Swords]

Yes I did thanks for clarifying 

[waljamada]

I do find Koa isshin swords interesting for the fact that they are a Japanese scientific/engineering/swordsmithing attempt in the steel and construction to improve the katana for practical war/battle usage.  So essentially it may be the last time the Japanese apply their swordsmithing with more modern materials/technology specifically for actual war/battle use.  Kinda neat.

[Stephen]

3 hours ago, waljamada said:

I do find Koa isshin swords interesting for the fact that they are a Japanese scientific/engineering/swordsmithing attempt in the steel and construction to improve the katana for practical war/battle usage.  So essentially it may be the last time the Japanese apply their swordsmithing with more modern materials/technology specifically for actual war/battle use.  Kinda neat.

Yes drawn from the fact they needed to function in cold weather. 

[Bruce Pennington]

21 hours ago, Swords said:

Bruce Can I ask who did the polishing on your sword ?

 

 

 

 

Steve

Answered via PM

[Swords]

Just curious What did you pay for your sword before polishing? 

[Bruce Pennington]

14 hours ago, Swords said:

Just curious What did you pay for your sword before polishing? 

Oh, I got mine when my dad passed away, so the cost of polishing was an easy one for me.  With that and replacing missing tsuba, seppa, and lower saya parts, I've actually spent under $3,000 total.

[Swords]

Thats a good price ! I originally paid 2380 for mine Than returned it and bought it back for 2000 after I new woody could polish it

It’s probably going to cost maybe 2000 to get it polished So I’m guessing in the 4000 range 

Now I’m thinking was it all worth it ?
Did you put it back in the original scabbard after polish or had a new one made?

 

 

Steve