"Mantetsu"

[GHP]

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 ).

Hi Bangbangsan,

Thanks! I just checked the Japanese dictionary for the kanji you corrected:
癸未 【みずのとひつじ; きび】[Mizunotobitsuji; Kibi] (n) 20th of the sexagenary cycle.

Then, doing a Google search using the kanji you provided I found this site with the variations:
Showa -- Signature omote -- sig. ura -----serial number ----- stamp --- Notes
<table border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="490" height="42"><tbody><tr><td style="border-color: rgb(153, 153, 0); text-align: center;">昭和 </td> <td colspan="2" rowspan="1" style="border-color: rgb(153, 153, 0); text-align: center;">銘 　 表
</td> <td style="border-color: rgb(153, 153, 0); text-align: center;">銘 　 裏
</td> <td style="border-color: rgb(153, 153, 0); text-align: center;"> S/N　シリアル№ </td> <td style="border-color: rgb(153, 153, 0); text-align: center;">刻印 </td> <td style="border-color: rgb(153, 153, 0); text-align: center;">備　　考</td></tr></tbody></table>S.18|-------Signature Omote---| Sig. Ura----| Serial No.--|Stamp| Remarks <table border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="border-color: rgb(153, 153, 0); text-align: center;">18 </td> <td style="border-color: rgb(153, 153, 0); vertical-align: top;">　興亜一心
　興亜一心
　興亜一心
　興亜一心
　興亜一心
　なし※
　なし
　なし </td> <td style="border-color: rgb(153, 153, 0); vertical-align: top;">　満鐵作
　満鐵作
　満鐵作
　満鐵作
　満鐵作之
　満鐵鍛造之
　満鐵鍛造之
　満鐵鍛造之 </td> <td style="border-color: rgb(153, 153, 0); vertical-align: top;">　昭和●癸未春
　昭和●癸未春
　昭和●癸未春
　不明
　昭和●癸未春
　●昭和癸未春
　●昭和癸未春
　●昭和癸未春 </td> <td style="border-color: rgb(153, 153, 0); vertical-align: top;">　ヒ 五九一
　マ 三八一
　ケ 八０五
　テ 二八四
　? 七六
　ヒ 二二六
　エ/ユ 五三七
　不明 　- </td> <td style="border-color: rgb(153, 153, 0); vertical-align: top;">




　南
　南
　南
</td> <td style="border-color: rgb(153, 153, 0); vertical-align: top;">



　※19　
　※20
</td></tr></tbody></table>なし [nashi] = NONE [no "Koa Isshin"]............[SN: ...yours has テ 七一]


Thank you!

--Guy

[GHP]

Cool Stuff!!

This page shows the Mantetsu swords being manufactured.


電気ハンマーで刀の形に鍛錬、鍛延する
Forging the shape of the sword using an electric hammer


この研磨場には約30名の研ぎ職人がいた
This polishing shop had about 30 polishers


ハバキの調整と装着
Habaki mounting and adjusting


柄巻き
Tsuka-maki; handle-wrapping

Visit the link for more images!

[bangbangsan]

Guyさん
Thanks for the link。
PS:Just noticed you're in Bay area too.

[GHP]

Guyさん
Thanks for the link。
PS:Just noticed you're in Bay area too.

Yes, down at Moffett Field, bordered by US 101, Mountain View, and GOOGLE.

Cheers!
--Guy

[bangbangsan]

Yes, down at Moffett Field, bordered by US 101, Mountain View, and GOOGLE.

Cheers!
--Guy

Not far from me,I'm in Daly city.

[Death-Ace]

I love these blades. Missed out on a few before. Heard they are great for Tameshigiri! There has been some confusion on "Mantetsu" vs "Koa Isshin (Mantetsu)" blades. What's also worth noting is how there were expositions of these blades at the Yasukuni Shrine during WWII.

Nice blade!
Lev

[zts]

nice blade.

[bangbangsan]

滿鐵軍刀 are hot item on Chinese collector 's market nowdayz.