Chinese Jian

[josh stout]

I will see if I can get some newer pictures of things soon. Most of the pictures I have at the moment have already been posted somewhere. So anyway, here are a few randomly selected Chinese antiques that I don't think I have posted on this forum.

http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...B4E5888002.jpg

This is a willow leaf dao with a widening of the tip that makes it what Phillip Tom has called a "proto-oxtail dao". It would have been a military weapon. The handle wood is obviously new, but the pommel and guard are typical 19th c. Qing military fittings.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...opai/dadao.jpg

This is a civilian weapon often called a podao/pudao. It differs from the dadao in that the handle length equals the blade length.

http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...duation358.jpg

This is an atypical dadao with a willow leaf blade next to an extra large oxtail dao.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...duation359.jpg

Same.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...duation360.jpg

Tip of the dadao.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...duation364.jpg

Dragon decoration on blade of dadao.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...duation362.jpg

"Good luck" characters added by period owner.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...duation365.jpg

Handle with original wrap.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...duation338.jpg

Some village made shuang jian.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...duation342.jpg

The blades showing unusual versions of the typical stars.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...58F8CE5899.jpg

Full length picture.

http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...LoGrH1o-To.jpg

A chopper of ambiguous name, that is similar to one seen in Qinlong era regulations. In the regulations it is called a pudao, Scott Rodell calls it a "demon head chopper" the dealer called a yantoudao (flying goose knife?), and I have seen other names proposed.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...Gb_MesfiRP.jpg

Duan jian with village made guard and scabbard.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...pai/mm5658.jpg

3000 g pole arm blade on a cut down handle.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...ai/0e79_12.jpg

Full size pole arm without a clear name.

OK, I obviously just broke the "one sword one thread" rule, but it seemed like a good time to get some random pictures out there. These are typical of most of the things in my collection. They are not top quality with beautiful fittings, but the blades are all good pattern welded steel. They are just a random selection of things I already have pictures of. I would be happy to discuss things in detail, or if you have a question about a particular type of sword, I can start a thread with additional examples, but that could take some time.
Josh