Found a link to Alfred Tans web-page with a very similar dao, and the comment that it's military, hope he don't mind me using it. I think he in turn has his information from Phil Tom, who have restored his Chinese swords on this page
http://www.japanesesword.com/Images/...se/DaoJian.htm
Taking a second look, doesn't that dao in the link look more yan mao dao like, if you should think about what I said on the curve of the blade.... and with a tapper to the blade... and it seems to have a little more curve to the handle, no? Maybe a little earlier style, or for another army group? Ahh well , waiting for the real experts who can read army regulations manuals to fill in here
