China/Tibetan sword. Help?

Tim Simmons · 4th February 2023, 12:54 PM

Just picked this up at a local junk market this morning. Surely an antique piece. Love the big cabochon red coral. Interesting stamped floral design to the brass sheeting on the scabbard but as you can see there is a problem. The blade is stuck to one side of the wood lining of the scabbard.

What can I do? Others have had this problem, did you and how did you solve the problem? For the time being I have squirted lots of plusgas into the scabbard concentrating on the stuck side. Would like to hear if this can be sorted. Thanks in advance of any useful tips.

Tim Simmons · 4th February 2023, 02:05 PM

Well that did not take too long. 43cm long blade. I love a bargain on a Saturday morning. It is a little reluctant to go back in all the way now . Probably swollen the wood a little as well as breaking the seal.

kai · 4th February 2023, 05:28 PM

Hello Tim,

Nice blade with hairpin construction!

The hilt looks like a later replacement (except for the guard).

Regards,
Kai

Tim Simmons · 4th February 2023, 05:53 PM

Thank you Kai,

I was so lucky today. Does not happen that often. Like kissing thousands of frogs before you find a prince or princess, all depends

Even the replacement handle looks rather antique.

kai · 4th February 2023, 06:06 PM

Yes, possibly a makeshift repair during its working life, Tim.

Regards,
Kai

Tim Simmons · 7th March 2023, 05:11 PM

Having been searching the inter net and seen many styles of handle fancy and plain to rough. I am not wholly convinced that this is not the original handle. Perhaps there was a cost to consider? Also look at the tang, shows no sign of of pining or peening just a tang to be secure by adhesive of some kind.

Sajen · 7th March 2023, 07:33 PM

Hello Tim,

I am pretty sure that it isn't the original/first handle. Albeit the handles on these swords can be simple but never crudely.

Regards,
Detlef

kai · 7th March 2023, 08:49 PM

No chance, Tim - look at the metal work of the scabbard: If there are funds for this, there also are for at least a plain hilt.

This hilt will do in a pinch; stylistically, it just doesn't cut it, I'm afraid.

Regards,
Kai

Tim Simmons · 13th March 2023, 12:38 PM

I wonder if anybody has a more suitable handle.

JBG163 · 13th March 2023, 02:40 PM

Hi Tim,
Actually, in my opinion, only guard, blade and U frame in iron are original to the piece. The rest is a later addition/restoration probably made for sell it to tourists.
If i ever find spare parts for the handle, i Will try to reach you.
Best
Julien

Tim Simmons · 13th March 2023, 06:50 PM

Hmm, not sure about that. It would have be extremely clever to include the marks left by a little finger ring.

Tim Simmons · 24th March 2023, 03:43 PM

The coral turns out to be a moulded piece of glass. I wonder how many of the lower quality Tibetan weapons have glass pieces.

Tim Simmons · 26th August 2023, 08:07 AM

When I found that the coral was glass I thought right this is a recent hash up for sure , but having found that "coral" glass is no way a modern thing I am a lot more happy with this knife.

4th February 2023, 12:54 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	China/Tibetan sword. Help? Just picked this up at a local junk market this morning. Surely an antique piece. Love the big cabochon red coral. Interesting stamped floral design to the brass sheeting on the scabbard but as you can see there is a problem. The blade is stuck to one side of the wood lining of the scabbard. What can I do? Others have had this problem, did you and how did you solve the problem? For the time being I have squirted lots of plusgas into the scabbard concentrating on the stuck side. Would like to hear if this can be sorted. Thanks in advance of any useful tips. Attached Images

4th February 2023, 02:05 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Well that did not take too long. 43cm long blade. I love a bargain on a Saturday morning. It is a little reluctant to go back in all the way now . Probably swollen the wood a little as well as breaking the seal. Attached Images

4th February 2023, 05:53 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Thank you Kai, I was so lucky today. Does not happen that often. Like kissing thousands of frogs before you find a prince or princess, all depends Even the replacement handle looks rather antique. Attached Images

13th March 2023, 06:50 PM	#11
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Hmm, not sure about that. It would have be extremely clever to include the marks left by a little finger ring. Attached Images

24th March 2023, 03:43 PM	#12
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	The coral turns out to be a moulded piece of glass. I wonder how many of the lower quality Tibetan weapons have glass pieces. Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 24th March 2023 at 03:43 PM. Reason: spelling

4th February 2023, 05:28 PM	#3
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Hello Tim, Nice blade with hairpin construction! The hilt looks like a later replacement (except for the guard). Regards, Kai

4th February 2023, 06:06 PM	#5
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Yes, possibly a makeshift repair during its working life, Tim. Regards, Kai

7th March 2023, 05:11 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Having been searching the inter net and seen many styles of handle fancy and plain to rough. I am not wholly convinced that this is not the original handle. Perhaps there was a cost to consider? Also look at the tang, shows no sign of of pining or peening just a tang to be secure by adhesive of some kind.

7th March 2023, 07:33 PM	#7
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,779	Hello Tim, I am pretty sure that it isn't the original/first handle. Albeit the handles on these swords can be simple but never crudely. Regards, Detlef

7th March 2023, 08:49 PM	#8
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	No chance, Tim - look at the metal work of the scabbard: If there are funds for this, there also are for at least a plain hilt. This hilt will do in a pinch; stylistically, it just doesn't cut it, I'm afraid. Regards, Kai

13th March 2023, 12:38 PM	#9
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	I wonder if anybody has a more suitable handle.

13th March 2023, 02:40 PM	#10
JBG163 Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: France Posts: 207	Hi Tim, Actually, in my opinion, only guard, blade and U frame in iron are original to the piece. The rest is a later addition/restoration probably made for sell it to tourists. If i ever find spare parts for the handle, i Will try to reach you. Best Julien

26th August 2023, 08:07 AM	#13
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	When I found that the coral was glass I thought right this is a recent hash up for sure , but having found that "coral" glass is no way a modern thing I am a lot more happy with this knife.