Chinese River Pirate Sword circa 1850

Good fighting example with 15 7/8" double edge blade.

Brass hilt with fluted cross guard, bun form pommel and grip base ring, all with excellent engraved detail including foliage and zodiac symbols.

Reeded wood grip pierced for a wrist thong. Fine uniform patina with light gray staining to the blade and numerous shallow edge nicks from use.

Used on the Yangtze which penetrates China by nearly 4000 miles. Long stretches of the river were desolate and River Pirates preying on merchant ships battled the Chinese military for nearly a century.

The short sword was favoured for ship board fighting and this example represents it in its finest form.

Source: www.faganarms.com/chinese-river-pirate-sword-c-1850-08832.aspx