What do you think? Fake dao?

Philip · 9th February 2009, 06:31 AM

Rick Stroud is spot on, this piece is kosher. It may not be 18th cent., but "late Qing" (19th cent.) covers it. I've had several of similar hilt and blade configuration over the years. Blade certainly does look awfully clean, but that doesn't mean it's new. The close up photo indicates that it's seen its share of abrasive cleaning over the years, look at the striations.

These sabers (blade shape indicates that it's a liuyedao or willow-leaf saber) are Qing military, this one is typical of a lower- to-mid-ranking officer. Workmanship is typical of the 19th cent., certainly can't hold a candle to that of prior centuries, but it's decent. The ones made at the very end of the dynasty are quite insubstantial not as well decorated or finished.

These are not just parade weapons. I've polished a few, and blades are tempered. The ones presented as awards for distinguished service are quite finely crafted. Some years ago I had the pleasure of handling one that was presented to Gen. Charles "Chinese" Gordon for his service to the Qing during the Taiping Rebellion (as we all know he was killed at Khartoum). Saber is now in the Royal Engineers Museum in the UK, along with his mandarin's uniform and the Yellow Riding Jacket conferred by the emperor. The blade is far beefier than anything seen on a British officers regulation sword of the era, it has the overall heft of a katana blade with a dorsal thickness at the forte like that of some Burmese dhas!

9th February 2009, 06:31 AM	#5
Philip Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,036	Rick Stroud is spot on, this piece is kosher. It may not be 18th cent., but "late Qing" (19th cent.) covers it. I've had several of similar hilt and blade configuration over the years. Blade certainly does look awfully clean, but that doesn't mean it's new. The close up photo indicates that it's seen its share of abrasive cleaning over the years, look at the striations. These sabers (blade shape indicates that it's a liuyedao or willow-leaf saber) are Qing military, this one is typical of a lower- to-mid-ranking officer. Workmanship is typical of the 19th cent., certainly can't hold a candle to that of prior centuries, but it's decent. The ones made at the very end of the dynasty are quite insubstantial not as well decorated or finished. These are not just parade weapons. I've polished a few, and blades are tempered. The ones presented as awards for distinguished service are quite finely crafted. Some years ago I had the pleasure of handling one that was presented to Gen. Charles "Chinese" Gordon for his service to the Qing during the Taiping Rebellion (as we all know he was killed at Khartoum). Saber is now in the Royal Engineers Museum in the UK, along with his mandarin's uniform and the Yellow Riding Jacket conferred by the emperor. The blade is far beefier than anything seen on a British officers regulation sword of the era, it has the overall heft of a katana blade with a dorsal thickness at the forte like that of some Burmese dhas!