Tanto Mei translation assistance please

[DRam]

Hello, I'm new to the forum and collecting. Locally, there is a Tanto for sale. Not much info on it, apparently "19th Century". I have tried searching a number of data bases for any of the characters... I haven't had much luck. I have attached pictures, any assistance would be much appreciated. Thank you.

il_1588xN.4692517305_6t1j.jpg.avif il_1588xN.4692416747_pfid.jpg.avif il_1588xN.4644173662_86l5.jpg.avif

[Ray Singer]

Can you try a conventional file format such as jpg? At least on mobile, the images are not loading. 

[DTM72]

I'll give him a hand. I'll wait for others to chime in but things don't look right.

 

 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Chinese fake, one to avoid.

 

http://www.jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html

[DRam]

I have re-submitted as .jpeg. Apologies for that. Both Dan and Jon, thank you for the reply.  I had a read the link you sent, what are the telltale signs that it is a fake? For my own education. Thanks again

[DRam]

[Brian]

Main thing is the shape. It's terrible. Absolutely horrid. As you get to see real Nihonto, things like this will jump out at you. No Japanese smith would make something so poorly shaped or finished. Nakago shape is completely wrong, as is the end of the tang. Hamon is fake too. Machi are totally wrong, and not lined up. Even if they were moved up as it appears, everything is still waaay off. Plus, any tanto sized blades with a shinogi line should be an immediate warning.

[SteveM]

Inscription says 承応元年　(it's a date using the Japanese era system: Shō-ō gannen = 1652)

Other side says 中船 (Nakafune). Presumably its the swordsmith's name, but there is no known swordsmith with that name. 

 

The shape is highly unusual for 1652. It almost looks like its been drastically shortened, or re-worked, but the inscription placement leads one to believe that the sword was more or less always this overall length. The blade length was shortened by moving the notches up. Just an odd-looking piece with an unlikely signature that comes from out of nowhere. (Nakafune would be a super-rare Japanese surname). 

 

Typed while Brian was posting his response, so some of this info is redundant to his post. 

 

[DRam]

Thank you for the info and explanation. Looks like I have a bunch of reading to do.

Once again I appreciate the help, 

Devin

[DoTanuki yokai]

Just to add, the Mei was made with engraving tools and is not done with a swordsmiths chisel.