Just got a new toy and would like some help with the tang kanji.any help would be appreciated.Thanks!Geoff.

other side

Hi Geoff Ward,

This sword is Mantetsu(South Manchuria Railway co,.) sword.
Made in 1943.
http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/koa.htm

Please show me serial# on back edge of the tang.

Thank you for your help KM here is the back edge.any thoughts??

Thank you very much sir.

#1 photo :
"Mantetsu kore-o tanzo" means "Mantetsu forged this(sword)".

#2 photo :
"Showa Mizunoto-Hitsuji Haru " means " Spring, 18th years of Showa period(Spring 1943)"

# 3 photo:
#71


Please Take off the Habaki( blade collar), then one Katakana-character will appear.

Exactly as you stated sir!!You are truly a great asset to this forum!It is always a pleasure to learn from those willing to share!

Does anyone know how many Mantetsu blades were produced?,And if the serial numbers were consecutive or just quality control or "Assembly"numbers

Thank you for your photos.

I'm Mantetsu sword researcher.

The stamps of back edge of the Koa Isshin Mantetsu sword tang is serial number.
It is shown by 48 kind of Katakana character(i,ro,ha,ni,....) and numbers(1,2,3,....) combinations.

The highest number that I have seen before is # 2503.
So,This is a hypothesis, 48 x 2503 = 120144 swords.

Thank you for your replys KM.Could you please tell me what number below the habaki stands for in western numerals ? I would like to know the exact serial number of this sword .Also,were these blades made for just the Army?or perhaps other branches of the Japanese military.If you could use better photos for your research,I would be happy to provide them to you.Best wishes.Geoff.