I just couldn't wait!!!

[Mark]

I hate to be a wet blanket (and I hope I am wrong), but what is with the wobbly surface of the blade? It looks almost as if it is made of thinner metal and hollow, and suffered a few dings. The seven plugs or rivets through the blade add to my concern, as they appear to be more substantial and protruding than the typical "seven stars" inserts. I would be surprised to see such a thing connected to that lovely dragon guard, but the more I look at the blade the more I wonder.

[VANDOO]

I SUSPECT THIS WAS USED FOR CEREMONIAL PURPOSES IT MAY HAVE BEEN CARRIED IN PROCESSIONS BUT WAS PROBABLY KEPT IN SOME TEMPLE OR SHRINE MOST OF THE TIME. IT MAY HAVE A BLADE THAT IS SUITABLE FOR A WEAPON BUT TOO LARGE TO BE PRACTICAL, THE FITTINGS ARE NOT SUITABLE AND WAY TO ORNATE FOR A WEAPON. I COULD SEE THIS BEING CARRIED OR HELD BY A GIANT GAURD WITH NO SHIRT AT THE DOOR TO THE QUEENS QUARTERS OR AT A TEMPLE GATE (I'VE SEEN TOO MANY MOVIES )
I CAN NOT SEE IT BEING USED IN WARFARE, I SUSPECT THE BALANCE IS BAD AND THE SHAFT TOO WEAK AND LARGE FOR A PRACTICAL POLE ARM.
ALL THAT BEING SAID I DO LIKE IT AND IT DOES APPEAR TO BE A GOOD WELL MADE ANTIQUE ITEM AND IT IS DEFINITELY ETHONOGRAPHIC CHINESE CONGRADULATIONS ON A GREAT FIND. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING MORE ABOUT IT WHEN YOU RECEIVE IT.

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Mark

I hate to be a wet blanket (and I hope I am wrong), but what is with the wobbly surface of the blade? It looks almost as if it is made of thinner metal and hollow, and suffered a few dings. The seven plugs or rivets through the blade add to my concern, as they appear to be more substantial and protruding than the typical "seven stars" inserts. I would be surprised to see such a thing connected to that lovely dragon guard, but the more I look at the blade the more I wonder.

Thanks Chris, Mark, Josh and Vandoo.

Mark, the wobbly surface? Hollow? Dings? I do hope you are wrong too. The spine looks very thick to me and I cannot see the issues you speak of, only a partial clean to parts of the steel.
I have seen so many different seven star configurations and I must say in my view, the usual plain brass inlay would look largly out of place and plain in my eyes and these stars seem to carry the more flamboyant theme that is consistant with the grand Qianlong Dynasty, more consistant with the flamboyant dragons head too.
I would be interested with regards to the seven star inlay to have comparison images made available to further inversigate, it just can't get here quick enough.

Josh I too don't think I'll see a reign mark but within the brass dragon or haft fittings, I may be surprised...
Royal or military displays do come to mind with this piece, I can visualise guards standing with their arms out stretched and these blades towering above them.

G'day Vandoo, thanks for coming in too. I too get caught in moments of HollyWood and old Kungfu movies when I see something like this.
I will tell more of it's possible practical nature when I get my hands on it, although it does look oversized, looking at the size of the haft, I do wonder if it better balanced than what first glances indicate and looking at the area where the tang is situated, it looks as though there could neary be a foot of steel inside that shaft so it may even be able to deliver a blow,not that I plan on knocking against anything...though I may just take in into the back yard and swing it wildly for a few minutes to get it out of my system.
I aggree that it is not a weapon of war and thanks for the congrats.

regards

Gav

[Jim McDougall]

Hi Gav,
While I have noted, these weapons are outside my usual field, I still share in the excitement while we await the arrival of your latest conquest!! I tried looking through what resources I have (including my treasured pile of Scott Rodell's catalogs!!) and found a little more on the history of these polearms.
As already discussed, the form of blade on this is termed 'guan dao' which is for the Chinese general Guan of Three kingdoms period (220-265 AD) with whom it is typically associated. It appears that there is some dispute on the first examples like this, and some insist they are first seen in the 7th century.

These are compared to the European fauchard, and in similar manner, some of the blades have been mounted in sword hilts, as in one example seen in one of the Rodell catalog's from 1995 (#1014/10). This example has a thinner blade, though of essentially the same basic profile.
Historically the Gen. Guan weapon was described as the 'green dragon crescent blade', and interestingly in more modern times, the Chinese infantry of the Han Green Standard Army used these weapons in Qing period.
The apparant lack of standardization suggested popularity in civilian martial arts, and it is noted that these were well known in Shaolin and Wudangquan schools of martial arts. (Wudang= refers to these mountains in Hubei province, quan= boxing or fist).

The extremely elaborate base holding the blade, of course suggests the ceremonial probability of this piece, as well as some of the observations on the blade features pending arrival, however, many votive or processional items from temples are very desirable (as this obviously!). If this proves to be such such an item out of a Shaolin temple and of Qianlong period it would be fantastic!!! ....doesnt need to be a 'combat' weapon.......has anyone ever seen what those Tibetan phur'pa go for ??!!

All the best,
Jim