BANGBANGSAN

Here you go https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/Japanese-militaria/woii-katana-help-discovering-if-authentic-what-type-475051/

Yasukuni Smith 靖國刀匠

It was sold for close to $1600

Hamish I don't think this sword was Japanese-made and issue to Japanese troops either. But, the Japanese and Chinese all called the military sword 軍刀 （Gunto/JunDao). So, It is a Gunto, just not for the IJA.

Thanks, Dan, I might try to contact him, but I had a feeling he will not reply to me.

Thomas Just a thought about the "治" mark Gunto. Many countries call the period under Japanese rule during WW2 日治時期，including 台灣（TaiWan)，新加坡(Singapore)，馬來西亞(Malaysia)and 印度尼西亞(Indonesia)etc. Is it possible the 治 could be the abbreviation 統治（Ruling）instead of 明治（Meiji) for the arsenal in occupied countries?Or even means the sword for 治安隊（public security force）use？

up

Thanks Bruce!

Bruce Do you have photos for the 44 Mantetsu with the double ana?

Left vacant, only one hole on the handle.

Neil I agree with your idea, they were made for the Japanese troops stationed in Manchuria, and probably designed there. And I believe 関東軍 Kwantung Army should have most of the Mantetsu swords since they formed and stationed in Manchukuo and South Manchurian Railway Zone after the Russo-Japanese War. Starts from 1943, the Kwantung Army shipped off many troops for use in Pacifica theaters. 1945, January the Army headquarters move 13 Divisions Kwantung Army to Pacifica theaters. April, The US army took Okinawa and starting to bomb mainland Japan,7 Divisions and 1/3 equipment from Kwantung Army back to Japan for homeland defense. By the end of the war, the Kwantung Army should be surrender at all theaters. I think not many of these RS Mantetus were made, that's why they don't show up much. PS: So far,I saw only 3 datings on these, 1.your 1938(only one ) 2.1944(most),3.no date(2 or 3), nothing in between.I tend to believe it was designed /made at the late war in China for Kwantung Army. The reason some call it the late war home defense swords,maybe because it was brought back to Japan at late war(1945, April)by the Kwantung Army for homeland defense use?Just a thought.

Not sure why ,my 2 Rinji Mantetsu both have 2 holes on the tang , but one hole on the handle, I think your other 2 maybe the same. I never saw Mantetsu in regular Type 3 mount.

Neil Your 1938 Mantetsu unlike all the other Mantetsu in the same Rinji mount, has only one 目釘穴 instead of two. Also, the other Rinji Mantetsu we saw was all made in 1944 or no year on the tang, we don't see Rinji Mantetsu made in any other years but your 1938. It got me thinking, is it possible an early Mantetsu blade remount later for some reason? Trystan

Dave Check this iron guard NCO sword(Ser# 2XXXX)with the wrong tassel as well, but opposite to yours.

Yes, it should be.Check out the Budge on 雲南護國軍 YunNan Nation Protection Army sword handle.

I think this "SHI SHI" could be Lion（Shi Zi 獅子）instead Lion Dog(Shi Zi Gou 獅子狗）,it might related to "Lion sword"（獅刀）,those swords was developed in the early 1920s by 北洋政府（The Warlord government of Northern China that developed from the Qing Beiyang army ）。 Depending on the rank, the sword has from one lion up to 12 lions on it. 1920年2月29日，时任民国北洋政府大总统的徐世昌公布颁给狮刀的大总统规则令，随后，国务总理、陆军总长靳云鹏和海军总长萨镇冰发布第七号教令，正式建立起了北洋政府的“狮刀”制度。 “狮刀”制度的颁给规则共有十二条： 第一条 颁给狮刀，以陆少军官佐为限。 第二条 各等狮刀，由大总统特颁，不得呈请奖给。 第三条 一狮刀至三狮刀，颁给中级官佐。 第四条 四狮刀至六狮刀，颁给上级官佐。 第五条 七狮刀到九狮刀，颁给有特殊勋绩之上级官佐。 第六条 十二狮刀，除大总统佩带外，得由大总统特赠外国大总统、外国皇帝君主或体国曾任大总统者。 第七条 陆海军官佐，由大总统特令颁给狮刀者，应由陆军部或海军部注册 。 第八条 已颁给狮刀者，得晋给多狮之狮刀，其前颁之狮刀，无庸缴回。 第九条 一狮刀至六狮刀，发交陆军部或海军部颁给。 第十条 七狮九至九狮刀，由大总统亲授，其在京外者，得遣派专员代授之。 第十一条 十二狮刀之赠与，由大总统特派专使行之。 第十二条 大总统亲授狮刀之礼节，参照授勋之礼节行之。

Unfortunately, no closeup photo for this sword.

Bruce One more: 昭和壬午秋 興亞一心 滿鐵作 1942 Autumn ク八七八 Ku 878

Steve I recall saw one on the 30k range had first or the last number stamped vertical. Here is one with vertical 東.

This one looks like a recent year repaint to me.

Dave I think your tassel is period on the sword, I saw many brass guard NCO swords with the later tassel over the years. Some maybe add on later, but some look original to the sword. When they have both brass and iron guard NCO made at the same time, it's very possible to issue the same later version tassel for both.

Nice!Any photos of the sword?

+1

Dave Your Type 95 is a very nice example. Copper handle only has around 6500, yours is not the first aluminum handle but the middle version. The color is correct, some 95 has that color on the handle. Type 95 doesn't have Ser# on the scabbard drag like Type 32. More info about Type 95 is here http://ohmura-study.net/790.html

George His Emperor's presentation sword still exist, well, at least the fitting still there, didn't say where is the blade .now in 新瀉縣歷史博物館，Exhibition time：2020.12.19-2021.2.28