These shuangniuweidao are most probably of the late 19th century and maybe up until the turn of the century. The one picture seems to highlight a wide and interesting "hamon" from the heat treatment so they were probably made for use. I agree that they would not have been carried by the general civilian in use in the Boxer Rebellion but it is unknown whom may have carried this type of sword. Given the skill level needed to wield two swords at the same time it was likely a trained martial artist that may have been employed for security detail or something along those lines. The art of surprise would have been helpful with these swords. Imagine a group of thugs harrassing a caravan of merchandise and the "security" comes along and they think he only has one sword and whips it into two swords. Would have made an impressive site and probably a good deterant in such a situation.
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