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Post by kfkonrad on Oct 20, 2016 10:44:32 GMT
Hi there! First time posting on here. I picked this sword up at auction. I think it would be called a dao. It's not a high quality piece. The blade is about the thickness of a standard machete, and crudely made, but it is steel and does have an edge. The blade is around 30 inches with a 10 in handle.      From the little bit I've researched, I'm thinking that this sword is relatively new. Maybe WW2 at the oldest. My question to the more experienced in the group is: Who would have carried such a thin sword and what was it's use? Also, what does the 6 circles surrounding what looks like a sun stamp signify? Makers mark? Any info would be greatly appreciated! Regards, Kris |
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Post by demonskull on Oct 20, 2016 11:04:54 GMT
It appears to be a piece made for tourist trade. Due to the blade thickness and overall design, it doesn't look like it's an actual usable design. Swords of this nature were made in almost every country in the world, however the overall design and stamp would probable have this one originating in the Middle East.
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Post by kfkonrad on Oct 20, 2016 11:16:14 GMT
Interesting... It certainly is a mass produced blade, but how do you come up with Middle East as the origin?
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Oct 20, 2016 11:20:24 GMT
Chinese dadao. Either Boxer Rebellion or early 20th century (1920s or 1930s) or replica thereof. Doesn't look ridiculously thin in your 2nd photo. How thick is the blade near the hilt? How heavy is it?
Who would have used it? Boxers if Boxer Rebellion, or if Republican, local militia or some warlord's forces. The symbol might be a unit symbol or warlord's symbol rather than a maker's mark (the KMT used a sun symbol).
One way to possibly see if it's an original rather than a replica is to polish part of the blade to see if it has an inserted edge.
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Post by kfkonrad on Oct 20, 2016 11:39:27 GMT
Thanks Timo! The sword weighs about 2.8lbs, and the blade is 4mm thick at the handle, so you are right, it is thicker than standard machete.
Interesting, I never considered that it might have inserted edge steel, being so crudely made. I might polish a little window in it this weekend, but I'm not getting my hopes up. ;-)
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Oct 20, 2016 11:46:35 GMT
Normal enough weight for a dadao, and the thickness is normal enough for a thin-at-base dadao. Some of the originals are just monosteel, but even some crude-looking ones can have inserted-edge construction. If you find it has inserted-edge, then it's the Real Thing. Without inserted-edge, it might still be the Real Thing, but you can't be sure.
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Post by kfkonrad on Oct 20, 2016 11:48:50 GMT
Awesome! Thanks Timo!
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