Is this a Kōa Isshin Mantetsu (South Manchuria Railway Co. Ltd.) Sword with Surrender Label ?

[Fusilier]

G'day Guys, I recently purchased on spec three gunto from a general militaria collector in Waga.  On the first of these, at least to my eye, the mei look very similar to the Kōa Isshin Mantetsu (South Manchuria Railway Co. Ltd.) produced gunto that you fella's helped me identify last year, although on that one the mei on the back edge of the nakago were obscured by oxidization.  In addition, the saya on this one also has two pencil inscribed paper labels which may be the officers name and address.  I was hoping that I maybe able to get some assistance translating the mei on the nakago and on the saya.  Cheers David

[PNSSHOGUN]

Yes, it is indeed a Koa Isshin Mantetsu sword. Nice to have the surrender label still mostly intact. 

[John C]

@Bruce Pennington

FYI

 

John C.

[Bruce Pennington]

Agreed.  1942 Autumn, Koa Isshin by Mantetsu.  Serial "Ya 497".  Recorded this one on sale by Jewelry & Coin on ebay last November 2025.

 

Enjoy!

[Fusilier]

15 hours ago, PNSSHOGUN said:

Yes, it is indeed a Koa Isshin Mantetsu sword. Nice to have the surrender label still mostly intact. 

Thanks John, Have you any idea what the surrender label says?

[Bruce Pennington]

Awaiting the Big Guns translators - but don't expect much as the handwriting is pretty rough, and in 'cursive.'  I see "72", probably a street house number.  

[Fusilier]

Thanks Bruce,  I'm very curious to know what it says.  I can try and get a clearer shot of the label if that would help, just let me know.

[Bruce Pennington]

If you don’t get any help here, there are a couple of guys over at Warrelics that might be able to read this.

[John C]

The label under that one might be interesting as well.

John C.