"Mantetsu"

[Geoff Ward]

I thought I would start a thread that would allow discussion about the swords known as "Mantetsu" I have noticed that there is a lot of confusion about what"Mantetsu" actually "is" A popular concept is that these swords are made of Chinese Railroad steel however, there is a much broader spectrum of information available and several different layers and opinions out there regarding this topic.As a novice student I have found this article helpful and hope it will shed some light on a topic that seems to lurk in the shadows when we discuss Shin Gunto.

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

I would love to have some feedback from the more knowledgeable members regarding this subject.Here are some photos of the one "Mantetsu" in my collection. I have included both sides of the surrender tag as I am curious to see what information may be had.All feedback appreciated,Geoff

[Geoff Ward]

Surrender Tag

[Geoff Ward]

.

[Geoff Ward]

Blade

[Geoff Ward]

Reverse of Tag and Tang Stamp of the Manchurian Mukden arsenal,

[Geoff Ward]

Nakago and Mune Machi

[Geoff Ward]

I am assuming the number 3 is an assembly number?? I am not familiar with the other stampings. I also believe the notches on the Habaki denote the number 3 also.

[Geoff Ward]

,

[GHP]

Surrender tag
Obverse:
國江嘉一
Kunie Yoshikazu
[Koony-ae]

岐阜県本巣郡会渡村一日市場
Gifu-ken Motosu-gun Gōdo-mura Hitoichiba-mura

EDIT: Not sure about the mark on the bottom. It might be a form of "shimeru" meaning to close/seal:
〆
you see it on the backs of postal envelopes after they've been sealed.


Reverse:
國江嘉一殿
Kunie Yoshikazu-dono
Mr. Kunie Yoshikazu
[Dono 殿 is a high level of politeness for "Mr." -- higher than sama 様, which is higher than san さん which is higher than kun 君. Either the owner is sending it to Mr. Kunie, or someone wrote this tag on behalf of the owner Mr. Kunie] I cannot read the kanji on the far right of the tablet, but it ends in "dono" and then 方 kata ... in this case meaning "in care of."
EDIT: to be more clear, there are two names on the reverse side, the first is the delivery reciepient [unreadable name-殿 方], the other name probably the owner Mr. Kunie.


Nakago
満鉄鍛造之
Mantetsu Tanzō Kore
This was forged of Manchurian Iron

昭和発来春
Shōwa Hatsuraishun
Outbreak of Spring, Shōwa [probably Spring of 1926?]

nakano ridge:
テ 七一
Te-71; probably a serial number


Hoping Nick Komiya will correct any factual errors I've made.


--Guy

[Geoff Ward]

Thank you Guy! as always you are Amazing! G.

[GHP]

Thank you Guy! as always you are Amazing! G.

You're welcome, Jeff .... I just added a couple more edits to that post.


--Guy

[Geoff Ward]

Is anyone familiar with the stamping on the left side of the two Seppa in the photographs ? I have not encountered this before Thanks G.

[GHP]

Is anyone familiar with the stamping on the left side of the two Seppa in the photographs ? I have not encountered this before Thanks G.

Nope, I can't make it out. Is it just me, or is the center portion of that one stamping (both seppa) filled-in/defaced?

--Guy

[Geoff Ward]

I know Guy...perhaps a dome shaped round punch?? but it does look like it is filled with something??

[bangbangsan]

昭和発来春
Shōwa Hatsuraishun
Outbreak of Spring, Shōwa [probably Spring of 1926?]

--Guy
[I think it should be
昭和癸未春
癸未 is Chinese lunar calendar year for 1943,Which is 昭和十八年。
I think only 滿鐵軍刀 were using Showa&Chinese Lunar year the same time since they were made in 滿洲國 Manchuria(中國東北Northeast China ).