Zheng Yi Sao Pirate Sword

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by piratelady

Thanks Gentlemen. I assume she carried a smallsword because the average height of a Chinese woman in the 19th century was 4'10" to 5'2"

That would be a good assumption, but it is most unlikely for anyone Chinese to be using a small sword (rapier type blade), and the hilt looks to me like the swing out knuckleguard I suggested. Many Chinese swords were short for use in close quarters..