there does seem to be a mei...

[yimu]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270647194493

 

there does seem to be strokes on the nakago, in fact one can almost make out the second character, either 真 or 奧. But what is it so faint? Did someone try to remove it, you think? any thoughts?

[Jamie]

I see what you mean. I think it was probably Mumei though. That looks kind of scratched on.

[Basho12]

I'd wait until the experts weigh in, but that mei does look questionable. Could be a shoshin mei by a smith who wasn't a good mei cutter. Could have been added later.

[David McDonald]

Dear Yimu and all

 

I see Murasada 村貞 but I might be dreaming.

 

The mei does look shallow but that might be the photo's.

It would be interesting to hold the blade and look at it.

 

Maybe the new owner will send in some better images.

 

later

david

 

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270647194493

 

there does seem to be strokes on the nakago, in fact one can almost make out the second character, either 真 or 奧. But what is it so faint? Did someone try to remove it, you think? any thoughts?

[yimu]

already got a better picture from the seller

 

 

 

these are not random scratches or a poorly done gimei. It does look like someone tried to remove them. I would guess the first kanji is 勘 and the second 真. actually there seems to be more below the second kanji, but those are impossible to make out.

[cabowen]

Looks like Sukezane to me.....

[pcfarrar]

these are not random scratches or a poorly done gimei.

 

The scratches may not be random but its still a badly done mei and probably gimei.