Chinese sword old or ??

kino · 13th April 2011, 04:35 AM

I picked up this Chinese sword over the weekend. Neither seller nor I weren't sure of it's age. I didn't know about the second blade until I got home, the seller didn't know about it as well.
I don't think this was made for the tourist market or am I wrong....
Both blades are 15.5 inches in length.

David · 13th April 2011, 04:59 AM

i'm not sure it is old, but it is pretty cool...

Gavin Nugent · 13th April 2011, 07:43 AM

Hi,

Not very old in my opinion but of the half dozen I have seen, this is the best looking piece with the most authentic and substantial looking fittings and the baldes don't look too bad either.

Gav

Neil · 13th April 2011, 02:28 PM

The way the tassel is attached with the ring is interesting. Has anyone else see this before.

josh stout · 13th April 2011, 04:11 PM

This style of double weapon seems to be later, but genuine examples exist. Scott Rodell has one that looks like a standard late issue Qing military short sword with the extra hidden blade. I have one that may have been put together later (1900-1940), but with older inserted edge blades. There was a time when they were not uncommon on eBay, but I have not seen them in a while.

Yours looks like it may have been refurbished, or it may be newer. I have not seen the snake skin looking covering on old dao. Mine and Scott's were the typical black leather. The fittings look genuine, but do not have the patina of something old, but they just might have been well cared for.

The tassel is not in a typical style. The most common tassel attachment is through a hole in the handle. The late Qing way to do a tassel like that involves a fixed ring attached to the hole in the handle, and then a tassel through that. Yours looks like some modern designs I have seen, with the ring added.

For me the bottom line is the blades. Do they have inserted edges?
Josh

kino · 14th April 2011, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by josh stout

For me the bottom line is the blades. Do they have inserted edges?
Josh

I'll clean it up and find out this weekend.

kino · 16th April 2011, 02:59 AM

Did a quick etch on one of the blades.
Have look............

josh stout · 27th April 2011, 05:35 PM

That is a very nice blade. If I had to guess, I would say that the whole thing was put together post Qing, but that the blade is a good older example. The set I have is similar, but not in as nice condition. The snake skin appearing scabbard reminds me of late 20th c. things sold commonly, so it might be a later refurbishment, or the later example may have been copying ones like yours.

Either way, the blade is a nice genuine example and the fittings are appropriate and matching. My guess is it was all put together around 1930 for the tourist trade, but using a good quality surplus Qing blade.

Nice find

Josh

Neil · 28th April 2011, 02:30 AM

Did you etch both blades?

13th April 2011, 04:35 AM	#1
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 972	Chinese sword old or ?? I picked up this Chinese sword over the weekend. Neither seller nor I weren't sure of it's age. I didn't know about the second blade until I got home, the seller didn't know about it as well. I don't think this was made for the tourist market or am I wrong.... Both blades are 15.5 inches in length. Attached Images

13th April 2011, 07:43 AM	#3
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Not old Hi, Not very old in my opinion but of the half dozen I have seen, this is the best looking piece with the most authentic and substantial looking fittings and the baldes don't look too bad either. Gav

16th April 2011, 02:59 AM	#7
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 972	Did a quick etch on one of the blades. Have look............ Attached Images

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13th April 2011, 04:59 AM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,023	i'm not sure it is old, but it is pretty cool...

13th April 2011, 02:28 PM	#4
Neil Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 109	The way the tassel is attached with the ring is interesting. Has anyone else see this before.

13th April 2011, 04:11 PM	#5
josh stout Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 407	This style of double weapon seems to be later, but genuine examples exist. Scott Rodell has one that looks like a standard late issue Qing military short sword with the extra hidden blade. I have one that may have been put together later (1900-1940), but with older inserted edge blades. There was a time when they were not uncommon on eBay, but I have not seen them in a while. Yours looks like it may have been refurbished, or it may be newer. I have not seen the snake skin looking covering on old dao. Mine and Scott's were the typical black leather. The fittings look genuine, but do not have the patina of something old, but they just might have been well cared for. The tassel is not in a typical style. The most common tassel attachment is through a hole in the handle. The late Qing way to do a tassel like that involves a fixed ring attached to the hole in the handle, and then a tassel through that. Yours looks like some modern designs I have seen, with the ring added. For me the bottom line is the blades. Do they have inserted edges? Josh

27th April 2011, 05:35 PM	#8
josh stout Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 407	That is a very nice blade. If I had to guess, I would say that the whole thing was put together post Qing, but that the blade is a good older example. The set I have is similar, but not in as nice condition. The snake skin appearing scabbard reminds me of late 20th c. things sold commonly, so it might be a later refurbishment, or the later example may have been copying ones like yours. Either way, the blade is a nice genuine example and the fittings are appropriate and matching. My guess is it was all put together around 1930 for the tourist trade, but using a good quality surplus Qing blade. Nice find Josh

28th April 2011, 02:30 AM	#9
Neil Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 109	Did you etch both blades?