Shaolin Tai Chi Jian not Wudang, Wu Jian & Wen Jian, Taoist, Antique, Battle ready

[JoeCanada42]

During the Middle Ages, most swords were relatively light. By the 15th century, larger and heavier swords had been developed, including the 'Bastard' or 'Hand-and-a-half' sword. They were hybrid swords that enabled blows to be delivered with the power of a two-handed sword but could also be wielded with one hand.

https://collections.royalarmouries.o...h%20one%20hand.

The versatility of the design prevented the sword from being specifically categorized as either a one-handed or two-handed weapon. The word bastard was therefore to this sword meaning something irregular or inferior or of dubious origin, having a misleading appearance

https://english.stackexchange.com/qu...g%20appearance.

funny that bastard is used as a curse word meaning different father, actually more accurately, born without marriage?

[JoeCanada42]

maybe my definition of bastard isn't right... here's synonyms, illegitimate, misbegotten, baseborn, spurious, supposititious, motherless, fatherless, nameless;

[JoeCanada42]

late 19c-to early 20c as you called it would be Qing ,
seems the market acceptance, perception and value of these swords has gone up quite a bit recently.
I just looked at all the ones sold on mandarin mansion, I like mine more , I wouldn't trade it for any I seen. I also saw the work done on polishing some of these, where the brass was old like mine with rot? and the rayskin had heavy varnish? removed.
I also seen great river taoist center swords on youtube and got to say mine looks very well made compared to his explanations and comparisons

I see one with the same orange ray skin and same fittings as an example I provided ,similar blade but no dragon I could see, it is for sale now, called Ming, listed for thousands...

[JoeCanada42]

with xrf technology and unique symbols, provenance may be lacking but age and origin can be confirmed

seem most auctions don't touch Chinese swords unless they know what tomb or excavation site they come from. this I think keeps the market value low for swords of quality kept in closests or underappreciated. maybe more will come out of hiding when they are recognized properly

[JoeCanada42]

before the fittings on the red dragon were seen to be crude, but this could be seen as part of the Daoist tradition of taking things as they come and not making an effort.

[JoeCanada42]

maybe its the fact that these can be found on eBay rather than a retail dealer ,
this fact takes away a honey pot , and customers

[werecow]

How flexible are the blades? Presumably not a hard rule but from what I understand, if they are very floppy they are most likely recent (I don't know if the reverse will tell you anything).

[Sajen]

The engravings on the blades I never have seen by old examples, only by tourist or collector swords.
Compare!

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=jian
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=jian
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=jian
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=jian
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=jian

There are more jians shown here, look also sold pieces by dealers, not one jian which I can remember was described as authentic have had this engravings on the blade. But like said, I know next to nothing about them but we have members here who can give a very educated opinion.

Regards,
Detlef

[JoeCanada42]

no flexibility in either blades

at least one auction house in Britain called mine 19c

I like mine better then those, your not clear if you are showing me examples u think are fake or authentic? those have no carvings but I can show you old ones with carvings.... and many new ones without.

great river Taoist center on YouTube shows a Jian with a dragon carving much more Mulan style.

there are reproduction swords obviously, and obviously the old ones will look like the reproductions , thats why they are called that no...
the old ones are definitely easy to distinguish from the new.
if you can make a replica to this quality you dont need to be frauding people with fakes.
acutaly i think the idea of "aged fraud " replicas is exagerated, most replicas are sold as replicas originally, its just the middlemen who may misrepresent.

this is my opinion on Jian swords...
Chinese bronze swords I find scary but interesting, but of course casting bronze is easier then forging steel, tapered, fullered steel,

most Qing Jian's I see are wall hanger quality, without good taper , hardness, fullers, ,