Chinese sword breaker I hope it's real

Gavin Nugent · 16th July 2010, 10:19 PM

Hi Josh,

I like it, but saying that I wouldn't have bought it based on a few aspects.

I like the taper to the shaft and the way the dragon mouth opens around it, I even like some of the patina seen in the mouth.

My personal views, I don't like to differing patina or the colour of the patina to the fittings, this appears both incorrect and artifically aged to me. I have troubles with the colour and poor 'rolled' application of the grip covering and I personally would have expected it to have binding to the hilt, sure it could have been lost but there is no evidence of it ever being and the condition also says that it should still be there.

Over all it is an attractive piece and I look forward to hearing from those more knowledgable.

Gav

josh stout · 17th July 2010, 03:47 PM

It is a certainly a fake. I just saw a set of two that are the same construction.

Josh

Gavin Nugent · 18th July 2010, 09:42 AM

Sorry to hear it Josh. I don't know how much you payed for it? I am sure there is a lot of benefit you can gain for future buys by looking very close at these modern representations in the hand.

Gav

katana · 18th July 2010, 01:34 PM

Sorry too, that this is a fake

.....it seems that the Chinese are making 'patina' an art form.

....but I also have reservations about the functionallity of this type of sword breaker. My main concern is the lack of a guard ......a blade could easily slide down the 'spike' striking the hand of the wielder

(the dragon's mouth/ small square guard provides very little protection from this).
I understand that Sai , with their 'upturned' guard could also 'capture' the blade. Why, would a sword breaker not have this simple addition which would make it much more effective

and 'safer' for the user.

Regards David

Gavin Nugent · 18th July 2010, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katana

Sorry too, that this is a fake

.....it seems that the Chinese are making 'patina' an art form.

....but I also have reservations about the functionallity of this type of sword breaker. My main concern is the lack of a guard ......a blade could easily slide down the 'spike' striking the hand of the wielder

(the dragon's mouth/ small square guard provides very little protection from this).
I understand that Sai , with their 'upturned' guard could also 'capture' the blade. Why, would a sword breaker not have this simple addition which would make it much more effective

and 'safer' for the user.

Regards David

David,

Perhaps a little something like this piece?

Gav

fernando · 18th July 2010, 02:07 PM

Hi David

You mean something like this?
A sword breaker, also called left hand dagger used in Junks.
This is a Far East specimen, denoting some Portuguese influence.
Dated XVIII/XIX century (Collection Rainer Daehnhardt).

Fernando

-

fernando · 18th July 2010, 02:09 PM

I see Gav came faster than me

Gavin Nugent · 18th July 2010, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

Hi David

You mean something like this?
A sword breaker, also called left hand dagger used in Junks.
This is a Far East specimen, denoting some Portuguese influence.
Dated XVIII/XIX century (Collection Rainer Daehnhardt).

Fernando

-

Well done Fernando, I got in by a nose. Nice image you present. My personal opinion is that your example presented it more likely 1850-60, just a hunch

katana · 19th July 2010, 02:04 PM

Thanks Gav and 'Nando

,
I was thinking of the less sophisticated version posted by Fernando. Gav the example you posted suggests that some sword breakers were a 'dedicated' weapon. I had assumed that the Sai 'type' were used like a 'main gauche' with a sword (or similar) held by the other hand. I know in Martial art 'forms' ....the Sai is used on its own or in pairs......but I cannot imagine an individual, on a battlefield using two, as his main weapon of choice.

Kind Regards David

16th July 2010, 10:19 PM	#1
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Nice Hi Josh, I like it, but saying that I wouldn't have bought it based on a few aspects. I like the taper to the shaft and the way the dragon mouth opens around it, I even like some of the patina seen in the mouth. My personal views, I don't like to differing patina or the colour of the patina to the fittings, this appears both incorrect and artifically aged to me. I have troubles with the colour and poor 'rolled' application of the grip covering and I personally would have expected it to have binding to the hilt, sure it could have been lost but there is no evidence of it ever being and the condition also says that it should still be there. Over all it is an attractive piece and I look forward to hearing from those more knowledgable. Gav

18th July 2010, 09:42 AM	#3
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Sorry to hear it Sorry to hear it Josh. I don't know how much you payed for it? I am sure there is a lot of benefit you can gain for future buys by looking very close at these modern representations in the hand. Gav

18th July 2010, 02:07 PM	#6
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Hi David You mean something like this? A sword breaker, also called left hand dagger used in Junks. This is a Far East specimen, denoting some Portuguese influence. Dated XVIII/XIX century (Collection Rainer Daehnhardt). Fernando - Attached Images

17th July 2010, 03:47 PM	#2
josh stout Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 407	It is a certainly a fake. I just saw a set of two that are the same construction. Josh

18th July 2010, 01:34 PM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Sorry too, that this is a fake .....it seems that the Chinese are making 'patina' an art form. ....but I also have reservations about the functionallity of this type of sword breaker. My main concern is the lack of a guard ......a blade could easily slide down the 'spike' striking the hand of the wielder (the dragon's mouth/ small square guard provides very little protection from this). I understand that Sai , with their 'upturned' guard could also 'capture' the blade. Why, would a sword breaker not have this simple addition which would make it much more effective and 'safer' for the user. Regards David

18th July 2010, 02:09 PM	#7
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	I see Gav came faster than me

19th July 2010, 02:04 PM	#9
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Thanks Gav and 'Nando , I was thinking of the less sophisticated version posted by Fernando. Gav the example you posted suggests that some sword breakers were a 'dedicated' weapon. I had assumed that the Sai 'type' were used like a 'main gauche' with a sword (or similar) held by the other hand. I know in Martial art 'forms' ....the Sai is used on its own or in pairs......but I cannot imagine an individual, on a battlefield using two, as his main weapon of choice. Kind Regards David