My Beautiful Ugly Chinese Sword

drac2k · 21st March 2018, 10:54 PM

I just picked up this Chinese sword.This heavy blade measures 20", 2.25" at it's widest and 3/16" on the spine.When I was cleaning her up, I noticed that the washer was actually a coin(what a great bonus).
I think this could have been a halberd at one time cut short.

kronckew · 22nd March 2018, 12:00 PM

Looks like a military DaDao with a possibly shortened grip, missing the normal pommel ring.

drac2k · 22nd March 2018, 01:15 PM

Certainly possible; maybe originally Boxer Rebellion, reconfigured in WW2?

kronckew · 22nd March 2018, 01:22 PM

Too bad the coin doesn't have a western numeral date on it... Anyone read Chinese?

The coin looks like it once was drilled as a medallion, so it could predate the sword, and/or the sword modification. looks like it's been there for a while tho. Coins were good luck charms, a 'sword' of coins tied with a lucky red ribbon was auspicious.

Maskell · 23rd March 2018, 10:47 AM

Think it did have a ring pommel but not positive? It had been sitting in a connor in my office with about 100 others about 8 years. Guess I sold it to you at the Baltimore show this past weekend. glad you like it, Thanks.

Jerry

drac2k · 23rd March 2018, 01:23 PM

Like it, I loved it; bought 4 others and sent my friend over for one!Great deal, I'm surprised you had any left.God willing, I'll be looking for your booth next year so be sure to let me know what table you'll be at before the show.
Ruth was really great to talk to; she has a lot of personality.

sakimori · 31st March 2018, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

Too bad the coin doesn't have a western numeral date on it... Anyone read Chinese?

The coin looks like it once was drilled as a medallion, so it could predate the sword, and/or the sword modification. looks like it's been there for a while tho. Coins were good luck charms, a 'sword' of coins tied with a lucky red ribbon was auspicious.

So I ran some search and it seems this kind of coin is produced since 1887 and probably been using till 1912,published in the name of the Guangxu(光绪) Emperor.
Also,"广东省造" could translate into "produced in Canton Province",so the sword is probably made in there as well.

kronckew · 31st March 2018, 07:43 PM

Boxer time!

The charge of the boxers, 1905: (It did not turn out well for the Boxers)

drac2k · 31st March 2018, 10:54 PM

Wow, super great information Sakimori; thanks to you and to all others for their comments!

21st March 2018, 10:54 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	My Beautiful Ugly Chinese Sword I just picked up this Chinese sword.This heavy blade measures 20", 2.25" at it's widest and 3/16" on the spine.When I was cleaning her up, I noticed that the washer was actually a coin(what a great bonus). I think this could have been a halberd at one time cut short. Attached Images

22nd March 2018, 01:22 PM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,178	Too bad the coin doesn't have a western numeral date on it... Anyone read Chinese? The coin looks like it once was drilled as a medallion, so it could predate the sword, and/or the sword modification. looks like it's been there for a while tho. Coins were good luck charms, a 'sword' of coins tied with a lucky red ribbon was auspicious. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 22nd March 2018 at 01:35 PM.

31st March 2018, 07:43 PM	#8
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,178	Boxer time! The charge of the boxers, 1905: (It did not turn out well for the Boxers) Attached Images

22nd March 2018, 12:00 PM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,178	Looks like a military DaDao with a possibly shortened grip, missing the normal pommel ring.

22nd March 2018, 01:15 PM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Certainly possible; maybe originally Boxer Rebellion, reconfigured in WW2?

23rd March 2018, 10:47 AM	#5
Maskell Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 38	Think it did have a ring pommel but not positive? It had been sitting in a connor in my office with about 100 others about 8 years. Guess I sold it to you at the Baltimore show this past weekend. glad you like it, Thanks. Jerry

23rd March 2018, 01:23 PM	#6
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Like it, I loved it; bought 4 others and sent my friend over for one!Great deal, I'm surprised you had any left.God willing, I'll be looking for your booth next year so be sure to let me know what table you'll be at before the show. Ruth was really great to talk to; she has a lot of personality.

31st March 2018, 10:54 PM	#9
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Wow, super great information Sakimori; thanks to you and to all others for their comments!