Gavin- I agree the guard does not match the typical disk with a raised rim that was the standard for military sabers, and that these appear in such numbers that they must have been distributed as regulation weapons. But to whom? Somehow I think of boxers with less standardized weaponry. My general feelings are 1880-1920 and perhaps from coastal regions considering how often they find themselves to the West. I have not seen them coming from around Bejing where the regulation bannerman type guards are common.
The blades should have an inserted edge, so they were meant to be used, but they also show mid to low quality with poorly cut fullers and a strong emphasis on chopping.
Josh
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