I hope a side question is ok while we wait for comments. Have we discussed these common markings? They are, of course, very present on tourist pieces from Thailand and I usually take it as a bad sign when I see them. However, you do see them on clearly authentic, and old pieces, as the case with this sword. I've also attached a Montagnard daab, featuring these marks, that was collecting in the Central Highlands Vietnam early in the American War there (only picture I had on hand but you can still note the markings despite low resolution.) How far back does this practice go, what geographic footprint would we expect to see them?
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