Need help with signature and date inscription

[EdWolf]

Is it possible to read the tachi mei and date of this blade? The pictures are not great and the signature and date are hardly visible. Thanks in advance. 

Regards, Ed 

[Matsunoki]

Bizen kuni Kane?.?.?.?

Edit….Kanehira??

[Ray Singer]

Bizen no kuni Kanehira 

[nulldevice]

Looks like:

永延元十月 __ (Unsure on this)

備前國包平 (Bizen Kuni Kanehira)

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ray Singer]

永延 period

 

Eien gannen hachi gatsu __ (the eight month of the year 987)

[Ray Singer]

Whether the mei is authentic or not, the nakago looks genuinely quite old. I would advise having an evaluation done (and madoake if necessary) to research further. 

[EdWolf]

Thank you all for your helping me. That's an early dated blade. The blade is not mine but from an old friend. He bought the blade many years ago (30+) and was wondering about the signature. Thanks again for all the help.

Regards,  Ed 

[dkirkpatrick]

Maybe goes without saying but no rust removal or cleaning, this could be a very important sword.  Hopefully it gets the proper eyes on it and attention.  Please keep us posted.

 

Doug

 

 

[PNSSHOGUN]

It would be helpful to see the whole sword and details if you can request more photos.

[EdWolf]

My friend is a very experienced collector and was also a dealer for almost 45 years. I will ask for pictures of the blade. Hopefully he will share it with us.

Regards,  Ed 

[EdWolf]

Just received some additional pictures.

[EdWolf]

[PNSSHOGUN]

The great Kanehira may be a stretch, but it does appear to be an old Bizen blade.