The achang dha

[JeffS]

Originally Posted by RobT

Hi All,

ICould my sword have been of Husa Achang manufacture for the Kachin market? The blade of my dha has a peaked spine, hua tat, and measures 22-1/8" (56.1975cm) long.

Sincerely,
RobT

My blade has very fine hairpin lamination (pic below), and I understand that is a known characteristic of Kachin sword dao. Do you see this on your blade? Husa is a village (area) that is ethnically Achang and from what I have read on this forum, supplied weapons for many different ethnic groups. I also read they attribute their swordmaking history and other distinctive traditions to Han Chinese from the Ming army who stayed behind (1400's) and married into the Husa Achang community. I think it is cool that you can find Husa swords being made and sold on Ebay that look to be very high quality (though modern designs) with distinctive hamon. I also understand the village still produces traditional sword dao with the scrollwork open scabbards.