China/Tibetan sword. Help?

Tim Simmons · 4th February 2023, 12:54 PM

Just picked this up at a local junk market this morning. Surely an antique piece. Love the big cabochon red coral. Interesting stamped floral design to the brass sheeting on the scabbard but as you can see there is a problem. The blade is stuck to one side of the wood lining of the scabbard.

What can I do? Others have had this problem, did you and how did you solve the problem? For the time being I have squirted lots of plusgas into the scabbard concentrating on the stuck side. Would like to hear if this can be sorted. Thanks in advance of any useful tips.

Tim Simmons · 4th February 2023, 02:05 PM

Well that did not take too long. 43cm long blade. I love a bargain on a Saturday morning. It is a little reluctant to go back in all the way now . Probably swollen the wood a little as well as breaking the seal.

kai · 4th February 2023, 05:28 PM

Hello Tim,

Nice blade with hairpin construction!

The hilt looks like a later replacement (except for the guard).

Regards,
Kai

Tim Simmons · 4th February 2023, 05:53 PM

Thank you Kai,

I was so lucky today. Does not happen that often. Like kissing thousands of frogs before you find a prince or princess, all depends

Even the replacement handle looks rather antique.

kai · 4th February 2023, 06:06 PM

Yes, possibly a makeshift repair during its working life, Tim.

Regards,
Kai

Tim Simmons · 7th March 2023, 05:11 PM

Having been searching the inter net and seen many styles of handle fancy and plain to rough. I am not wholly convinced that this is not the original handle. Perhaps there was a cost to consider? Also look at the tang, shows no sign of of pining or peening just a tang to be secure by adhesive of some kind.

4th February 2023, 12:54 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	China/Tibetan sword. Help? Just picked this up at a local junk market this morning. Surely an antique piece. Love the big cabochon red coral. Interesting stamped floral design to the brass sheeting on the scabbard but as you can see there is a problem. The blade is stuck to one side of the wood lining of the scabbard. What can I do? Others have had this problem, did you and how did you solve the problem? For the time being I have squirted lots of plusgas into the scabbard concentrating on the stuck side. Would like to hear if this can be sorted. Thanks in advance of any useful tips. Attached Images

4th February 2023, 02:05 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Well that did not take too long. 43cm long blade. I love a bargain on a Saturday morning. It is a little reluctant to go back in all the way now . Probably swollen the wood a little as well as breaking the seal. Attached Images

4th February 2023, 05:53 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Thank you Kai, I was so lucky today. Does not happen that often. Like kissing thousands of frogs before you find a prince or princess, all depends Even the replacement handle looks rather antique. Attached Images

4th February 2023, 05:28 PM	#3
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Hello Tim, Nice blade with hairpin construction! The hilt looks like a later replacement (except for the guard). Regards, Kai

4th February 2023, 06:06 PM	#5
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Yes, possibly a makeshift repair during its working life, Tim. Regards, Kai

7th March 2023, 05:11 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Having been searching the inter net and seen many styles of handle fancy and plain to rough. I am not wholly convinced that this is not the original handle. Perhaps there was a cost to consider? Also look at the tang, shows no sign of of pining or peening just a tang to be secure by adhesive of some kind.