Chinese sword: Real or Fake?

dennee · 1st August 2005, 11:27 PM

The blade looks pretty darn good. If they are faking those now, then it is going to be pretty much impossible to buy Tibetan swords online.

I agree that the brass ring looks suspicious.

The red leather throat piece is recent, but they were often lost or destroyed.

The decoration on the pommel may be authentic, but it is indistinct in the photos.

And I'll agree that some of the corrosion may be a little suspicious in its character (and Tibet is fortunately pretty dry).

Corals are common on Tibetan swords, of course, but the lack of them, particularly on commoner swords is almost getting to be a mark of authenticity as, while repros and fantasy swords are gaudy, Tibetans often remove turquoise and coral from swords they are selling in order to reuse on rings, headdresses, gaus, etc.

And I am not sure if the scabbard is covered with leather or velvet or ?

But the forms of the scabbard, guard, pommel, and the grip section all look pretty good. This sword definitely deserves closer inspection. I guess we'll all
keep an eye out. If there are fakes of this quality coming out, then Tibet collectors have a problem.

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1st August 2005, 11:27 PM	#12
dennee Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: College Park, MD Posts: 186	The blade looks pretty darn good. If they are faking those now, then it is going to be pretty much impossible to buy Tibetan swords online. I agree that the brass ring looks suspicious. The red leather throat piece is recent, but they were often lost or destroyed. The decoration on the pommel may be authentic, but it is indistinct in the photos. And I'll agree that some of the corrosion may be a little suspicious in its character (and Tibet is fortunately pretty dry). Corals are common on Tibetan swords, of course, but the lack of them, particularly on commoner swords is almost getting to be a mark of authenticity as, while repros and fantasy swords are gaudy, Tibetans often remove turquoise and coral from swords they are selling in order to reuse on rings, headdresses, gaus, etc. And I am not sure if the scabbard is covered with leather or velvet or ? But the forms of the scabbard, guard, pommel, and the grip section all look pretty good. This sword definitely deserves closer inspection. I guess we'll all keep an eye out. If there are fakes of this quality coming out, then Tibet collectors have a problem.