China/Tibetan sword. Help?
 

Just picked this up at a local junk market this morning. Surely an antique piece. Love the big cabochon red coral. Interesting stamped floral design to the brass sheeting on the scabbard but as you can see there is a problem. The blade is stuck to one side of the wood lining of the scabbard.

What can I do? Others have had this problem, did you and how did you solve the problem? For the time being I have squirted lots of plusgas into the scabbard concentrating on the stuck side. Would like to hear if this can be sorted. Thanks in advance of any useful tips.

Well that did not take too long. 43cm long blade. I love a bargain on a Saturday morning. It is a little reluctant to go back in all the way now . Probably swollen the wood a little as well as breaking the seal.

Hello Tim,

Nice blade with hairpin construction!

The hilt looks like a later replacement (except for the guard).

Regards,
Kai

Thank you Kai,

I was so lucky today. Does not happen that often. Like kissing thousands of frogs before you find a prince or princess, all depends :rolleyes: Even the replacement handle looks rather antique.

Yes, possibly a makeshift repair during its working life, Tim.

Regards,
Kai

Having been searching the inter net and seen many styles of handle fancy and plain to rough. I am not wholly convinced that this is not the original handle. Perhaps there was a cost to consider? Also look at the tang, shows no sign of of pining or peening just a tang to be secure by adhesive of some kind.

Hello Tim,

I am pretty sure that it isn't the original/first handle. Albeit the handles on these swords can be simple but never crudely.

Regards,
Detlef

No chance, Tim - look at the metal work of the scabbard: If there are funds for this, there also are for at least a plain hilt.

This hilt will do in a pinch; stylistically, it just doesn't cut it, I'm afraid.

Regards,
Kai

I wonder if anybody has a more suitable handle.

Hi Tim,
Actually, in my opinion, only guard, blade and U frame in iron are original to the piece. The rest is a later addition/restoration probably made for sell it to tourists.
If i ever find spare parts for the handle, i Will try to reach you.
Best
Julien

Hmm, not sure about that. It would have be extremely clever to include the marks left by a little finger ring.

The coral turns out to be a moulded piece of glass. I wonder how many of the lower quality Tibetan weapons have glass pieces.

When I found that the coral was glass I thought right this is a recent hash up for sure , but having found that "coral" glass is no way a modern thing I am a lot more happy with this knife.