What is written on this sword?

[TonyTony]

Hello to all

I'm hoping someone might be able to tell me what is written on this sword. I believe it's a reasonably recent sword. Many thanks in advance. Regards Tony

 

[mdchachi]

It looks like a name but the far left kanji looks like it's oriented opposite of the others (assuming it's 小). Somebody with more expertise should be able to help you out.

 

[Toritoribe]

The inscription is written vertically. The picture is rotated 90 degrees to the left.

Yes, the first kanji would be supposed to be 小, but the direction of the two small strokes are wrong/incorrect. (Judging from the position of "hane" of the central vertical line, the direction of the whole kanji would be correct .)

The second one is 村.

The third one seems to be a miswriting of 守, or a Chinese hanzi 宁.

I can't identify the forth one. It seems that the writer inscribed the kanji incorrectly.

In conclusion, my impression is that it's a fake, or at least very questionable.

 

[TonyTony]

Thank you Toritoribe and mdchachi your thoughts confirmed my thoughts
I was rather suspicious of this sword when I was sent images of it
it didn't feel right and is a copy almost certainly.

Regards Tony