Hello All,
I confess to having signed up to one other forum and this is the response from someone who posted on there:
"With the field cover, this sword likely belonged to an Imperial Naval Landing Forces officer. It is late and my eyes are a little tired trying to read the bottom part of the signature, which is not sharp. It is an older Edo period blade made in Seki City, Province of Noshu. I will get the balance of the information to you tomorrow. From what I can see, it is a mid 17th century blade. Identifying the swordsmith will clarify that information."
As I find out further details I will continue to post on both and greatly appreciated everyone's knowledge and interest.... This is addictive stuff!!!