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I'm 85% sure I almost bought this very one, actually, but alas, was out of sword funds.
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Yup, a really nice piece from PeterA.
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Just ran across this thread, thought I'd cross link it here since it mentions an association between the hudiedao and river pirates.
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That link is just as spurious. Sure, "river pirates" were utilising these - just as everyone in the region.
The slender hudiedao also was a regulation pattern in southern China and quite certainly based on earlier local traditions; the beefier blades seem to be a later "civilian" development to avoid fatal wounds.
Colonial officials were quick to label any resistance as bandit or pirate activity. The real pirates/predators had their bases in European (and later American) harbours. Of course, there also was local piracy & raiding - with whatever weapons were at hand.
Obviously, if you have a somewhat shady occupation, you usually don't want to show that and invite persecution. Same with specific "Ninja" swords - stupid idea...
Regards,
Kai