Manchurian blade or Mantetsu blade Sword 1

[Dogditcher]

Was logged as  ARMY MOUNT 26 3/4 MANCHURIAN STEEL #KO573-1942-

Comment and Enjoy

 

 

[Dogditcher]

 

 

[Stephen]

If you have available the numbers on the top of the Tang will be very beneficial

[Dogditcher]

[Dogditcher]

Just now, Stephen said:

If you have available the numbers on the top of the Tang will be very beneficial

I Don't believe there was a number on top of tang

[Stephen]

Well Bruce can tell you 90% of the time they do he's the leading of expert here on it

[Dogditcher]

22 minutes ago, Stephen said:

Well Bruce can tell you 90% of the time they do he's the leading of expert here on it

Would this be stamped on the edge behind the Munemachi ?-Thanks

[Scogg]

Yes, the numbers should be on the spine of the nakago. Bruce is usually active in the AM, so stay tuned. 
 

Cool swords! Nice type 98 koshirae. That’s a SUYA stamp (suya shoten co.) on the tsuba. Maybe a clasped hands sarute? Thanks for sharing and I look forward to reading the feedback. 
-Sam 

[Stephen]

This is what Bruce will want to see on both swords

[Stephen]

Oh just seen other one is Hizen so just this blade

[Bruce Pennington]

Thanks, Steve!  A few of us study the Mantetsu operation and we appreciate you posting this for us.  They were quite popular with Japanese officers, and have become quite popular with collectors.  You can read about them here:

 

Koa Isshin Mantetsu - Japaneseswordindex.com

 

and a more comprehensive article on our studies here at NMB:

 

South Manchurian Railway - The Mantetsu Blade

 

Like Stephen's example, the serial number is found on the back edge of the nakago (tang).  You might have to remove the habaki (brass collar) to see it all.

 

Oh, and a basic page on sword care: Japanese Sword Care Guide - Japaneseswordindex.com

[Dogditcher]

Here the pic on the edge of nakado and sarute -thanks

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Thanks Steve, that's perfect!

 

So, you've really got something there, in my world.  The serial is RA 768 which puts it in the first run of blades in FY '42.  It is the earliest known Mantetsu blade, now, with the "half-way inspection" mark "W" or "M" and the earliest known with the "NAN" stamp (Nan-Man Army Arsenal Supervisory Section).  The sword in Suya Shoten fittings, which is known to have made quality swords/fittings, and comes with the custom clasped hands sarute.

 

Congrats!

[Bryce]

G'day Guys,

I think the Suya Shoten tsuba and two seppa may be replacements. The left hand seppa with 377 serial number and made for a rounded nakago mune may be original.

Cheers,

Bryce

 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Agree with Bryce, Koa Isshin swords are usually in mounts that were produced in Manchuria. The other details of the Koshirae are not consistent with Suya Shoten either.

[BANGBANGSAN]

@Bruce Pennington

looks like there is "東“ under the number

 

[Dogditcher]

You guys got good eyes-Its teaching me to look deeper -cropped it down -What is its meaning  ? Thanks 

[Bruce Pennington]

I believe it to be an unside down NAN.  We have 3 other 1942 blades with the NAN on the mune.  They are later in the year, which is why I said this is the earliest known NAN stamped Mantetsu.  They are 

YA 677, YA 702, and YA 1048.

 

 

Autumn '42 YA 677 was the clearest

 

Autumn YA 702 was poorly stamped.

 

 

Autumn YA 1048 was likewise poorly stamped

[Dogditcher]

Thanks Bruce will see if I can get a better pic tomorrow

[Dogditcher]

Best pics i could get