M Eley, thanks for the clarification and links, but I certainly would not take much of what either of these companies in the links provided seriously when it comes to Asian edged weapons, descriptions origins age and uses etc, the first company often get things very very wrong, the second also but to a lesser extent.
Having been in the antique edged weapons world for over 30 years I have had many Chinese and other Asian types but have learned to take a lot of the old terms for such swords with a pinch of salt, especially when the Term RIVER PIRATE is used.
The common theory that these swords known as Hudiedao used in pairs or singles were all river pirates swords is untrue, utter hogwash, most were in fact local militia military, naval etc, yet still these companies use the name RIVER PIRATE and perpetuate the common western theory about such swords, likely to make them more interesting to buyers by using the PIRATE term, or perhaps due to lack of real knowledge of the sword type .
The link you first sent explains this very well, no doubt pirates on the south China seas and rivers throughout south China used many different types of bladed weapons during and pre 19thc but the sword in question here is certainly no hudiedao, it is a dao '' sword ''with guard and blade trap mechanism so as I see it even though it is quite obviously a southern type dao I see no relationship to the type of hudiedao in either of the links you sent.
the size of my dao is in 31 inches long with a 25 inch blade, a sword rather than a large knife, as yet I have never encountered a hudiedao in this size.
The above said, I certainly did not start this post to get into as long lasting debate about different types of Chinese PIRATES swords, river pirate naval or other, I merely wanted to show the sword for those who have interest in such weapons.
I will try to get around to polishing and etching it after the weekend, will then show a few better pics of it here, I am hoping it will show something interesting, often simple Chinese swords can have very well constructed blades, I am hoping this one does
. Snody