Chinese Jian

[Yu-Ming Chang]

I've seen this specific Yazi guard quite often in late era, early 20th century jian. Most often they were on decorative chang jian that had the characters for Lung Chuan and a dragon carved into the forte, but I've seen them on "user" pieces as well. The rest of the fittings on those pieces are variations of the ones seen in this jian. Based on those examples, I think that everything is ensuite on this jian in terms of fittings and that the Yazi guard is contemporary to the rest of the fittings.

I see what look to be cold shuts delineating the edge from the softer cheeks, suggesting sanmei. The cheeks don't look like they have much grain or laminations, which is consistent with a Republican era pieces that I seen/own.

[Gavin Nugent]

Thank you for the images Josh, I am sure all interested in Chinese weapons appreciate them greatly as I know I certainly do.

I do in particular like the full length polearm.

With regards to this link;

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

To my eyes it looks like a Kora blade with a sabre handle, although deviating from the original Jian posting, what are you views on this piece you provided the link to?


Thank you too Yu-Ming Chang, I appreciate hearing about your knowledge on these swords.
I certainly think the Yazi guard is original to the piece, only in that the patina displayed is consistant throughout the brass fittings, not through absolute knowledge of these swords history.
If you have the chance Yu-Ming Chang, would you kind enough to post images of example you have for further discussion here?

very best regards fellow collectors

Gavin

[josh stout]

Originally Posted by freebooter

....With regards to this link;

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

To my eyes it looks like a Kora blade with a sabre handle, although deviating from the original Jian posting, what are you views on this piece you provided the link to?....
Gavin

I will set up a thread.
Josh

[Gavin Nugent]

Thanks Josh, I will view shortly with interest.

regards

Gav

[Gavin Nugent]

Well the good news is that the sword arrived today, they bad news is the macro function has gone kaput on my ole Sony F505V, time to explore new options.

From good examination of the sword I can state the following.

The scabbard is in considerably good condition, upon first glance it just looked like a black lacquer over wood but when looking closer it is black lacquer over ray or shark skin. Although the lacquer hides the grain in places, it looks to be completely intact bar the odd dint, scratch, cut in the hide or small fracture in the wood. It also sports a fine copper type wire at the ends of the scabbard under the fitting, I am guessing being wrapped to hold the skin in place and then lacquered over before having the fittings placed on.

What at first I thought from the images was just a cloth below the guard is in fact what I would consider a tassel, there is a rawhide loop bound with red woollen type fibre that has had glue or a lacquer placed on it to stop it unravelling itself, from there it has three fabric strips bound under the red material. The tassel colour scheme is red blue red, a wider light blue strip then blue again. Images will explain it better when I get the photos up.

The hilt and guard are lovely and look better than the images posted, maybe a better light can reveal this. All fitting are very tight with no movement.

The blade.. I would like some advise before I tackle cleaning the blade. I have rubbed all the inlay and all is present. The blade has a good amount of flex and when pushed against the floor, my grip breaks before I push the blade any further. The first six inches of the 29 inch blade is thicker in the spine then the rest of the blade and when I rub my fingers the full length it too can be felt, to my eyes it also thickens slightly at the tip, remains unsharpened and would be a thrusting weapon rather than a slashing weapon but would leave a nasty gash I am sure if slashed. Between the 13th and 17th inch of the blade there are about 4-5 nicks in the edges.

All for now, time to shop for a new camera.

regards

Gav

[josh stout]

I am glad to hear that the stars were all there. I think you have a very nice piece. What can you tell about the pattern welding?
Josh

[Gavin Nugent]

Hi Josh, at this stage I cannot tell you much, I cannot see any distinct patterns or a "harmon" (the edge is not live). I can however see something in the steel, but what exactly I have no idea as yet. I will be bidding on a new camera tonight and I hope to have it within the week to take images. In the mean time I will clean clean clean the blade for a better look.
I have done the file test as suggested and it does grip somewhat and does not skate across like a file does on my Tibetan Knives. I then took my Sabre off the wall that shows a distinct wave pattern and the file grips exactly the same as the Jian. I am guessing it is just a matter of the steel used in the period? I also noted that the cloth binding on the hilts is exactly the same on both Jian and Sabre as is the red material under the binding.

regards

Gav