RARE WW2 JAPANESE OFFICERS SWORD "MANTETSU"
HISTORY
Mantetsu Japanese swords are high-quality, mass-produced military swords from WWII, made by the South Manchuria Railway Company (SMR) using their own special steel, prized for their durability and cutting ability, often signed "Koa Isshin Mantetsu" (Develop Asia by One Mind) or simply "Mantetsu," and considered superior to standard Showato blades, representing a blend of traditional forging with modern industrial methods for the Japanese military.
Key Characteristics
- Manufacturer: South Manchuria Railway Company (Mantetsu) in Manchuria.
- Material: Developed their own "Manchurian steel" (Mantetsu steel), a high-quality, carbon steel designed for durability in harsh climates.
- Signatures (Mei): Evolved over time:
- Early: SMR logo stamp only.
- Then: "Koa Isshin Mantetsu Saku" (Koa Isshin Mantetsu made this).
- Later: "Mantetsu Kitae Tsukuru Kore" (Mantetsu forged this).
- Rare: "Kounan Essei" (Good Fortune in the South) in 1945.
- Forging Method: Used unique laminated construction (Moro-Zutsumi) with a carbon steel pipe for the skin and low-carbon core steel, often machine-assisted.
- Quality: Considered excellent, often mistaken for traditionally made swords due to their cutting power, with vivid hamons (temper lines) and robust construction.
- Purpose: Developed for Imperial Japanese Army officers, providing a reliable sword that performed well in cold weather, unlike some earlier military swords that cracked.
Significance
- Represents a significant industrial effort in sword making during WWII, bridging traditional craftsmanship with modern steel production.
- Highly sought after by collectors for their quality and historical importance, often found in Shin Gunto fittings.
ITEM DESCRIPTION
These rare swords command high prices when they come up onto the market. This WW2 Japanese Officer Sword is in good condition with the Mantetsu signed Tang. The blade does have a few scratch marks as shown in the images and there is some fraying on the wrap which is to be expected. This sword was made in 1939.