Is this a Boxer Rebellion era sword.

kino · 22nd November 2008, 11:39 PM

Not mine, just want some information. The ruler is 15 inches in length. Blade is not very sharp. The iron looks old and somewhat rusty.
Your input is much appreciated.

Henk · 23rd November 2008, 09:56 AM

It is a boxer rebellion sword. If it is truelly from that era, I don't know. On the pictures it looks good. Maybe the more knowledgeable members can tell more.

Gavin Nugent · 23rd November 2008, 12:40 PM

I too would be in aggreement that it is in the style of but I am not confident enough to comment on it actually being, my spider senses are tingling a little.

Gav

Jim McDougall · 23rd November 2008, 08:03 PM

While I agree this does have the effective appearance of certain weapons that are often seen represented in Boxer Rebellion period photos and illustrations, this is a more workmanlike example. It is often very difficult to identify weapons outside that profound event as there were weapons of so many periods in use, and so much misconception deliberately propounded by the Chinese militants and martial artists.
These are I believe actually two handed da dao that were used by Nationalist Chinese troops in the 1930's and 40's. I have seen photos of these troops wearing these in scabbards across thier backs if I recall. The scabbards are heavy leather and often have the Nationalist Party symbol near the throat.

Though relatively recent by most collectors standards, these seem rather unusual in my opinion and not commonly seen. It is interesting how often inclination to atavistic weapon forms is seen in relatively modern times, and in this case trying to recall the Ming Dynasty.

All best regards,
Jim

kino · 24th November 2008, 02:00 AM

Thanks all.

Gav, could you please elaborate on why Spidey's senses are tingling. If you desire to PM me, that would be fine.

Gavin Nugent · 24th November 2008, 08:12 AM

G'day Kino, I have done, I look forward to your reply.

josh stout · 30th November 2008, 02:31 AM

I got a bit worried because the blade has an unusually strong curve to it that I have seen on a few fakes. In one picture though I can see what is almost certainly the high carbon edge peeking out. I think longer handled ones were generally from the early to mid 19th c. while the shorter handled ones were from about 1880 to 1950. However, that is by no means a rule. This one seems like a later example. I do not think the example shown was used by a regular army though several regular armies used them. I have seen a few with a strong curve like that. Phillip Tom calls them "da pian dao", or "big slicing knife".
Josh

22nd November 2008, 11:39 PM	#1
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,007	Is this a Boxer Rebellion era sword. Not mine, just want some information. The ruler is 15 inches in length. Blade is not very sharp. The iron looks old and somewhat rusty. Your input is much appreciated. Attached Images

23rd November 2008, 12:40 PM	#3
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Hmmm I too would be in aggreement that it is in the style of but I am not confident enough to comment on it actually being, my spider senses are tingling a little. Gav

24th November 2008, 08:12 AM	#6
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Have done G'day Kino, I have done, I look forward to your reply.

23rd November 2008, 09:56 AM	#2
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	It is a boxer rebellion sword. If it is truelly from that era, I don't know. On the pictures it looks good. Maybe the more knowledgeable members can tell more.

23rd November 2008, 08:03 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,957	While I agree this does have the effective appearance of certain weapons that are often seen represented in Boxer Rebellion period photos and illustrations, this is a more workmanlike example. It is often very difficult to identify weapons outside that profound event as there were weapons of so many periods in use, and so much misconception deliberately propounded by the Chinese militants and martial artists. These are I believe actually two handed da dao that were used by Nationalist Chinese troops in the 1930's and 40's. I have seen photos of these troops wearing these in scabbards across thier backs if I recall. The scabbards are heavy leather and often have the Nationalist Party symbol near the throat. Though relatively recent by most collectors standards, these seem rather unusual in my opinion and not commonly seen. It is interesting how often inclination to atavistic weapon forms is seen in relatively modern times, and in this case trying to recall the Ming Dynasty. All best regards, Jim

24th November 2008, 02:00 AM	#5
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,007	Thanks all. Gav, could you please elaborate on why Spidey's senses are tingling. If you desire to PM me, that would be fine.

30th November 2008, 02:31 AM	#7
josh stout Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 407	I got a bit worried because the blade has an unusually strong curve to it that I have seen on a few fakes. In one picture though I can see what is almost certainly the high carbon edge peeking out. I think longer handled ones were generally from the early to mid 19th c. while the shorter handled ones were from about 1880 to 1950. However, that is by no means a rule. This one seems like a later example. I do not think the example shown was used by a regular army though several regular armies used them. I have seen a few with a strong curve like that. Phillip Tom calls them "da pian dao", or "big slicing knife". Josh