Koa Ishin Mantetsu sword - need help with date of production

[PeterCollector]

Hello, few weeks ago I was very lucky to find untouched sword made by Mantetsu company. Please can anybody help me, when the sword was made? I try to study all the Mantetsu thread on forum and learn a lot, but I can´t still be sure about the exact year and month of production. The blade was very dirty and i just cleaned it with piece of cloth and oil - also the tang has a rust spots, so I just oiled them.

 

Sorry for bad photos, later when I took some care about the sword - just clean dust and old dirt, I try to do much better pictures of whole sword into correct thread.

 

Many thanks for your time and help.

 

Best regards

 

Peter

[xiayang]

Hi Peter,

 

your blade is dated:

 

昭和壬午秋 = Autumn of Shōwa, year of the water horse (1942 CE).

[PeterCollector]

Hi,

 

thank you very much for quick reply and translation of blade production!

 

Best regards

 

Peter

[Conway]

Peter, 

 

Here is a useful link for these types of zodiacal dates.

 

http://www.japaneses...com/kanji/zodiac.htm

 

Conway

[Bruce Pennington]

@Kiipu @BANGBANGSAN

 

Peter, for the files, could we get a photo of the other side?  I'm sure it says Koa Isshin, but I like having the photos for the record.

 

I'm sure you already know, but the serial number is KU 947.

[PeterCollector]

Hello friends, thank you for your comments and help.

 

Burce, thank you, I did not know that serial number is KU 947 - this infomration also help me a lot. Right now we have very bad weather, so I did not have time to do good pictures of whole sword, but here is just quick photo of signature. I think there is also another signature at pommel, but have to look on lthem later.

 

Kind regards

 

Peter

[Bruce Pennington]

Thanks, Peter.  Yes, it is a Koa Isshin mei.

 

Also, might just be the fuzzy photo at top, but could you post a clear shot of the kabutogane (end cap of tsuka)?  Looks like there is a stamp at the top?