Rifleman

Hamon is the temper line,correct?If I could get better photos vwould it show,possibly? Dale

Thanks for all the advice.When you say forged signature,do you mean a modern fake?Weren't forgeries also done in ancient times to fool buyers back then? Dale

I have this Tanto from a friend of mine.He and I are new to Japanese swords.WE would like to know what the tang markings mean.We know not to clean or otherwise do anything to the tang.Possibly the maker and mabe the age.There are not a lot of charaters on it and it looks like one of the holes went through one of them.Any help is appreciated.Thank you. Dale