Zheng Yi Sao Pirate Sword

M ELEY · 8th March 2025, 04:23 AM

She was indeed the most successful pirate in recorded history, having a 'flotilla' of over 10,000 pirates! The sketch that Gustav posted from 1830's is a famous depiction. In it, she looks like she has a belabang sword as discussed in Jim's pirate thread. Not unheard of that pirates carried whatever sword met their fancy or that they could lay their hands on. In Annis and May's monumental "Swords for Sea Service", we see documented naval swords in the Maritime Museum that you would not expect, including cavalry swords, basket-hilts, etc. Officers could carry whatever they pleased before specific patterns were introduced in the late 18th. Likewise, pirates even more so could carry whatever they chose, but did tend to copy the sailors of their era.

8th March 2025, 04:23 AM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,156	She was indeed the most successful pirate in recorded history, having a 'flotilla' of over 10,000 pirates! The sketch that Gustav posted from 1830's is a famous depiction. In it, she looks like she has a belabang sword as discussed in Jim's pirate thread. Not unheard of that pirates carried whatever sword met their fancy or that they could lay their hands on. In Annis and May's monumental "Swords for Sea Service", we see documented naval swords in the Maritime Museum that you would not expect, including cavalry swords, basket-hilts, etc. Officers could carry whatever they pleased before specific patterns were introduced in the late 18th. Likewise, pirates even more so could carry whatever they chose, but did tend to copy the sailors of their era.