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Manchurian Railway Sword


nihonto1001

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Would it be safe to say that this is a true Manchurian Railway Sword, or would it be more accurate to say it was made using Manchurian steel?

 

Koa Isshin Mantetsu saku. I am stumped on the other kanji.

 

Nice sugata. I just found it. Unfortunately, it does not have the tsuka and saya.

 

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Jon,

The other Kanji is the date. Mantetsu swords were marked using the zoological calendar. The first two Kanji are common, Sho wa. The third is Mizunoto, fourth is Hitsuji, Forth is Haru. Translation: 1943 spring. If it says Koa Isshin Mantetsu, it was made by the Diren Railroad co. What do you mean "railway sword"? There is a prevailing myth that these swords were made from train track. That is not, and never was, the case.

 

Hope that helps.. I have one of these swords as well and the date stumped me for a while.

 

Related, I happen to have a metal saya for a Mantetsu sword. Its unpainted and does not have a wood core or all fittings, but it is dent free and you can have it cheep if you want it. I also have mantetsu kashira and Kojiri.

Pm me if interested.

 

best regards,

 

Kurt.K

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Hi Kurt

 

As I understand it, Manchurian Railway swords were made from extruded tubing with softer steel core. I think I remember reading that somewhere. Is this true of all Koa Isshin swords?

 

Thanks for the translation help. I actually know where the original saya is. He used it on another sword. Why, because it fit. :dunno:

 

I will try to buy it from him. If not, I will get yours. Please PM me the price. IE., if I don't sell the blade.

 

I have wanted to study one of these for a while. So, I am enjoying the research. Thanks for the info.

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I will be attempting to find the original tsuka for this sword. I think there is little hope that I will. So, I will probably try to find a replacement tsuka.

 

I noticed that the copper fittings on Gunto mounted railway swords seem to be more red in color, including the menuki. Out of curiosity, what is the reason for this? I imagine it has something to do with the factory that made the fittings. Is this specific to railway swords?

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I will be attempting to find the original tsuka for this sword. I think there is little hope that I will. So, I will probably try to find a replacement tsuka.

 

I noticed that the copper fittings on Gunto mounted railway swords seem to be more red in color, including the menuki. Out of curiosity, what is the reason for this? I imagine it has something to do with the factory that made the fittings. Is this specific to railway swords?

 

I've been told that it's an alloy referred to as red brass. I do not know the chemical makeup but have noted it in use in several Type 98. If memory serves me it was also the topic of discussion over in the Japanese section of WAF at one time or another. I quite like the look myself.

 

Regards,

Stu

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