This is an out of the woodwork samurai sword that I recently picked up. It has a mon and also 3 characters painted on the scabbard. Also the scabbard has 2 hangers, I thought army swords only had one. Any information as to the mon family name, what the scabbard writing says, who made the sword and it's age, and what's the deal with the 2 hangers would be greatly appreciated. Don't know much about Japanese swords but I'm trying to learn.
Thank you, Mazz

2

3 The peg is also black laquered as opposed to plain bamboo.

4 the tsuba is the pierced type.

mon

scabbard characters

tang inscription

THE SIGNATURE IS BISHU OSAFUNE SUKENAGA SAKU. THE VILLAGE OF OSAFUNE, PREFECTURE OF BISHU, SUKE NAGA MADE THIS. OSAFUNE WAS A FAMOUS SWORD MAKING VILLAGE NEAR THE MODERN DAY CITY OF OKAYAMA. SEVERAL MITHS SIGNED WITH THIS SIGNATURE. THIS IS LIKELY THE MAN WHO WORKED IN THE MID 1700'S. TWO LATER GENERATIONS WORKED IN THE 19TH CENTURY AND ARE WELL KNOWN. HOWEVER, THIS SIGNATURE DOES NOT RESEMBLE EITHER OF THOSE MEN. THIS ERA IS KNOWN FOR POORER QUALITY SWORDS AND WORKMANSHIP DUE TO THE LACK OF DEMAND FOR SWORDS. YOUR MOUNTING IS THE FIRST PATTERN SHIN GUNTO MOUNTING. THE BOTTOM RING SHOULD BE HINGED AND REMOVABLE. FURTHER INFORMATION IS IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT A HANDS ON EXAMINATION.
REGARDS,
BOB

Thank you for the great information. I looked at the second fitting and it is in fact removeable. The hinge is so small I had to look with my loop to see it.
Thank again, Mazz

A nice Blade...congratulation

Sebastien.