Japanese WWII Sword : NCR RAILWAY SWORD : Super Rare : Seki WW2 rare NIHONTO

Description

Rare Japanese Colonial occupation Railway Sword
NORTH CHINA RAILWAY
c.1942
Only a handful of known examples in existence.
Seki Smith Kanekano. Cherry blossom stamp. Oil quenched. Exceptionally rare mounts.
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In the period 1933 to 1945, an area of North China not directly ruled by the Mantetsu Company was administered by the North China Railway Company in matters of logistics and transport, with rail lnks running through much of North China and Inner Mongolia. Of the 7000 emplyees, the majority were Chinese, with leadership roles taken by Japanese.
This is a very rare item, and a good investment.
Condition: There was some corrosion on the upper scabbard, from being held(probably as original owner clambered on and off trains), with ugly green paint sloppedover that. I tried to brush this off. The result is visible in the pictures, but is more natural than how it was before. The original wear revealed the reddish base paint, always a sign of quality when that is present.
The fittings overall are of good quality and not overly worn.
The blade is clean, some spotting, no serious faults, bends or chips.
Mountings are for North China Railway, later partially removed. Likely this was North Manchuria Railway purchased, and then issued or sold to an officer. As the war situation deteriorated, the Railway officer was probably sent south, as a replacement officer.
Aside from the winged wheel logo, the serial number to the habaki is a good indicator of this being and NCR sword.
Thus we have the wheeled logo almost intact on the scabbard chape, and with the wings professionally removed from the top of the grip. (Discussed on NMB).
The signature is from Seki swordsmith Kanekano.
This piece is much, much rarer than a Mantetsu.
Length in of whole item in scabbard: 38.5"
Length of blade from mid habaki: 26.5"
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Please ask questions before bidding, happy to help.
Very careful packing & secure, tracked shipping.