Strange Mei On Small Tanto

[Ron STL]

Thought I posted this yesterday, but apparently not. Just wondering if anyone can make out this mei. Nice koshirae but a puzzling nakago. Anyone?  Thanks guys. Ron STL

[Peter Bleed]

Ron,

You shouldn't be ignored, but this is unreadable - to me and everybody else apparently. My only reaction is that the tang looks like a Showa period creation. Is it a real sword?

peter

[Ron STL]

Hi Peter. A friend of mine who buys a lot off eBay recently bought this tanto. From pictures, the blade is of WWII era and doesn't look like much to me. However, it does a hamon. On the other hand, the koshirae for it looks very nice quality. Perhaps the nakago is a patriotic saying or something. Being unable to make sense of it, I hoped it could be translated. Nakago looks pretty deterioated as you can see. No worries. Ron STL

[ChrisW]

That nakago looks as if it were burned chemically or something, the deep pock marks are reminiscent of acid burns, especially with the irregular coloration. Are the remaining file marks the highest points on the nakago?

 

A trick I learned here from the guys is to put talc powder or some sort of inert white powder that is easily blown off to highlight the signature better.