Authenticity ID help - Chinese dao

KuKulzA28 · 16th October 2011, 03:42 PM

Last night a dao popped up on eBay and I worked out a deal with the seller to "buy it now". Unfortunately, as soon as he had changed it, someone had bought it before I could hit the button and buy it myself. I was of course angry because I had worked out a deal and was... usurped? ousted?

But I will take this as a learning experience. This sword has certain things I found suspicious and I wanted to see if I wasn't the only one who saw these attributes...

Since the auction is over I can post pictures...

I think the brightness of the blade is a bit concerning as is the upside-down end of the sheath.

Jim McDougall · 16th October 2011, 06:09 PM

Authenticity? well its a dao OK. In my opinion, I think extremely low mileage !
I had one that looked much like this once many years ago, acquired from a much fabled dealer of questionable character....had the same wire wrapped covering on the scabbard.Didnt keep it long. Sometimes we get lucky

Henk · 16th October 2011, 07:12 PM

Lucky you. Now somebody else has a headache

Although I'm not an expert on these things I see clearly the small problems.

Gavin Nugent · 16th October 2011, 11:34 PM

A nice clean old piece. I would suggest age as 1890-1930.
With regards to the scabbard tip, lets face it many who have these things don't know the first this about the ups and downs and lefts and rights...simply put on the wrong way as the 'glue' likely dried out and it fell off...I was emailed images of a very nice late Mamluk sabre and the throat fitting was upside down...don't know how they got the blade in but these things happen....I wouldn't let the blade brightness be a concern either, these things were made this way...it might even be in original polish in which case you'll see an inserted edge once in hand.

KuKulzA28 · 16th October 2011, 11:41 PM

If it is a good piece, then I really missed out.
And in that case, somebody definitely benefited from my bargaining.

ariel · 17th October 2011, 02:42 AM

No good deed goes unpunished.

16th October 2011, 03:42 PM	#1
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	Authenticity ID help - Chinese dao Last night a dao popped up on eBay and I worked out a deal with the seller to "buy it now". Unfortunately, as soon as he had changed it, someone had bought it before I could hit the button and buy it myself. I was of course angry because I had worked out a deal and was... usurped? ousted? But I will take this as a learning experience. This sword has certain things I found suspicious and I wanted to see if I wasn't the only one who saw these attributes... Since the auction is over I can post pictures... I think the brightness of the blade is a bit concerning as is the upside-down end of the sheath. Attached Images

16th October 2011, 11:34 PM	#4
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Nice clean piece A nice clean old piece. I would suggest age as 1890-1930. With regards to the scabbard tip, lets face it many who have these things don't know the first this about the ups and downs and lefts and rights...simply put on the wrong way as the 'glue' likely dried out and it fell off...I was emailed images of a very nice late Mamluk sabre and the throat fitting was upside down...don't know how they got the blade in but these things happen....I wouldn't let the blade brightness be a concern either, these things were made this way...it might even be in original polish in which case you'll see an inserted edge once in hand.

16th October 2011, 06:09 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,100	Authenticity? well its a dao OK. In my opinion, I think extremely low mileage ! I had one that looked much like this once many years ago, acquired from a much fabled dealer of questionable character....had the same wire wrapped covering on the scabbard.Didnt keep it long. Sometimes we get lucky

16th October 2011, 07:12 PM	#3
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Lucky you. Now somebody else has a headache Although I'm not an expert on these things I see clearly the small problems.

16th October 2011, 11:41 PM	#5
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	If it is a good piece, then I really missed out. And in that case, somebody definitely benefited from my bargaining.

17th October 2011, 02:42 AM	#6
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	No good deed goes unpunished.