Hi Bill,
Very interesting ox tail, pretty consistant with so many brought back from China during Boxer Rebellion and early 20th c. I always get a little nervous trying to properly identify these, in case Rodell and Tom are watching
I have always been under the impression that the intricate wrap on the grip of this suggests older examples, but the blade and certainly the mounts are 19th c. Qing, probably latter.
Although there has been a lot of fuss about the stuff out of China, lots of stuff got out of there before thier huge 'antique' industry took off. Its hard to really imagine how much 'bringback' stuff is out there.
In any case, I've always considered these Chinese swords attractive examples of a most interesting period in our history, makes me want to watch "55 Days at Peking" and "Sand Pebbles" again
All the best,
Jim