A Chinese dau

M ELEY · 11th August 2015, 06:58 PM

I saved this old sword from a terrible fate!

Some non-Phi Beta Kappa had steel welded it to a dumbbell weight, so that it stood up as an 'object de art'. With the help of a dremil tool, steel saw and chisel, I returned to to an 'object de war'!

Iron ring pommel is an extension of the tang looped around. Hilt was flat with no holes. I padded and wrapped the hilt in old hemp, in a rebellious 'pirate styling' of the back country. Nicer examples have silk lace.

Interestingly, you will see laminated metal used in this blade. I used the classic pineapple juice and later vinegar treatment to remove the blackened/brown rust. Looking through about a hundred old sword catalogs, I did find one of a similar shape with patterned iron in an Fagan catalog. They were of the opinion that it must have come from the southern border, near Tibet/Bhutan? This could explain the pattern welding, if that is what this is?! No expert on such. Any opinions out there on this?

Although most of the ring hilts were two-handed beheaders (dadau), mine isn't nearly that large at 29" (21" blade). What would mine be classified as? Did the blade shape help classify these?

Purpose for the ring on these? I've heard for tassels, bells and from one online site that said they were to be used to create a rattling sound for intimidation?

How old? I would assume pre-Boxer, as the ring is iron and not brass/bronze and the patina was dark.

11th August 2015, 06:58 PM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,066	A Chinese dau I saved this old sword from a terrible fate! Some non-Phi Beta Kappa had steel welded it to a dumbbell weight, so that it stood up as an 'object de art'. With the help of a dremil tool, steel saw and chisel, I returned to to an 'object de war'! Iron ring pommel is an extension of the tang looped around. Hilt was flat with no holes. I padded and wrapped the hilt in old hemp, in a rebellious 'pirate styling' of the back country. Nicer examples have silk lace. Interestingly, you will see laminated metal used in this blade. I used the classic pineapple juice and later vinegar treatment to remove the blackened/brown rust. Looking through about a hundred old sword catalogs, I did find one of a similar shape with patterned iron in an Fagan catalog. They were of the opinion that it must have come from the southern border, near Tibet/Bhutan? This could explain the pattern welding, if that is what this is?! No expert on such. Any opinions out there on this? Although most of the ring hilts were two-handed beheaders (dadau), mine isn't nearly that large at 29" (21" blade). What would mine be classified as? Did the blade shape help classify these? Purpose for the ring on these? I've heard for tassels, bells and from one online site that said they were to be used to create a rattling sound for intimidation? How old? I would assume pre-Boxer, as the ring is iron and not brass/bronze and the patina was dark. Attached Images Last edited by M ELEY; 11th August 2015 at 10:38 PM.