chinese sword for comments
 

Here is an old Chinese sword that I present to you before cleaning, I thought that to preserve its black color, give me your opinion...

It measures 97 cm with scabbard

the sword is 90 cm long
the 72 cm blade
the thickness of the blade 7 mm
and 4 cm wide



dates from before 1900 what do you!

the scabbard

This is a better than usual complete example of a type typically seen.

I suspect these was a very large factory making these swords as they are known in very large volumes and seen often.
All have the same heavy blade type, all iron fittings with the fittings and scabbard covering always in black. the scabbard is always to my eye stitches as this is too.
I have never seen traditional binding on any hilts except those that are restored.
They are larger and heavier than the Banner men sabres I have seen and the presence of the cup guard in my opinion suggests a manufacture for civilian forces, perhaps Boxers? I do not know with accuracy.

This example will no doubt grade up very well with a little well placed care but do keep all the outer appearance black.
I would suggest approach the blade only for cleaning, just oil the fittings and do not remove their patination. Take the movement out of the cup guard and bind the hilt in a traditional manner.
Peter Dekker could handle the grip wrapping or at least supply the correct material and you could follow the instructions he has published in PDF format.

Gavin

Thank you for the information gavin
the lanes armoury described a nearly identical sword on his site

I believe these are standard issue swords for the Manchu Imperial Army and during the recent Manchukuo Era.

Gavin- I agree the guard does not match the typical disk with a raised rim that was the standard for military sabers, and that these appear in such numbers that they must have been distributed as regulation weapons. But to whom? Somehow I think of boxers with less standardized weaponry. My general feelings are 1880-1920 and perhaps from coastal regions considering how often they find themselves to the West. I have not seen them coming from around Bejing where the regulation bannerman type guards are common.

The blades should have an inserted edge, so they were meant to be used, but they also show mid to low quality with poorly cut fullers and a strong emphasis on chopping.
Josh