Ultra Rare 1945 Pattern Army Officer Home Defense Mantetsu

Signature:  Mantetsu Kitae Tsukuru Kore, Dated Showa Kinoe Saru Spring 1944
Forging Pattern:  Tight Mokume
Tempering Pattern: Suguha with ko nie and nioi
Dimensions:  Blade Length:  26.4 inchesNakago: 8.7 inches 7 mm thick 31 mm wide
Mountings:  Extremely rare 45 pattern gunto (See Fuller & Gregory Japanese Military and Civil Swords and Dirks Page 81).  According to the authors, there are 2 know examples of this pattern sword, one with an unsigned oil tempered blade and one with a Mantetsu blade.  Here is a third example of this sword with a Mantetsu blade and a leather wrapped saya.  Quality of work and materials are consistent with good 39 and 44 pattern swords, variations are in the design of the mounts.  Note that the numbers on the tang match the numbers on the tsuba (1310).
Overall Condition:  Fair. Blade has haze and cut marks but no nicks.  Leather over saya has a tear in the kojiri and is missing its lacing.