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Jianruiying logo

Jianruiying (2); weapons and equipment

The Jianruiying was an elite division of the Qing dynasty military consisting of crack troops that were specially trained to cross rough terrain and overcome fortifications. In my introduction of the Jianruiying I…

Antique Vietnamese swords

Antique Vietnamese swords

A reference list of antique Vietnamese swords and sabers I've had over time. I will periodically update it as more Vietnamese swords pass through my hands. Click the photos for their complete articles. Not all swords…

Jianruiying logo

Jianruiying (1); introduction

The Jianruiying were a small elite unit of specially selected Manchu soldiers under the Qing dynasty. They were trained to overcome rough terrain, obstacles, and rivers in order to commence special attacks towards…

Bikaner armory logo

The Bikaner Armory

The enthusiast of Indian arms and armor will sooner or later hear about the Bikanēr armory. A substantial part of the armory was sold in the late 20th century to a number of UK antique dealers, and pieces have been…

Asian export sword guards logo

Nanban tsuba & Asian export sword guards

For long, "nanban tsuba" literally "Southern barbarian sword-guards" have been a catch-all classification for sword guards for Japanese swords (tsuba), that show foreign influence.

Of geese and willow logo

Of geese and willows

The differences between 雁毛刀 yanmaodao (goose-quill saber) and 柳葉刀 liuyedao ("willow-leaf saber") in blade shape can be, to the novice, quite subtle and hard to discern at first blush. However, by picking up the weapon,…

Qing saber mountings fangshi yuanshi logo

Qing dynasty saber mounts, fangshi & yuanshi

Among sabers of the Qing dynasty, we encounter two basic types of mountings: 1. fāngshì (方式) or "angular style" 2. yuánshì (圓式) or "rounded style". Alternatively, these are called fāngzhuāng (方裝) and yuánzhuāng (圓裝)…

A Chinese saber typology logo

A typology of Chinese sabers

Introduction Historical references on Chinese saber types are scarce, and the information they provide scant. The most comprehensive Chinese military text is the massive Ming dynasty Wu Bei Zhi (武備志) or "Treatise of…

Spears of the Qing dynasty logo

Spears of the Qing dynasty

In this article I highlight a number of spears used by the Qing dynasty military.

Green Standard Army weapons logo

Edged Weapons of the Green Standard Army

The Green Standard Army was a large standing army of the Qing dynasty. It was composed entirely of soldiers of the Han dynasty, lead by a mix of Chinese and Manchu officers. It was the largest troop force the Qing had,…

Antique Vietnamese arms logo

Antique Vietnamese arms

Vietnam produced some of the finest mother-of-pearl inlays, seen on for example on the scabbards of ceremonial swords and sabers.

Chinese long sabers of the Qing dynasty logo

Chinese long sabers of the Qing dynasty

In the late Ming dynasty, Chinese coasts were raided by Japanese pirates -mockingly called 倭寇 wokou or "Dwarf Bandits" by their Chinese adversaries- who were using their long sabers, nodachi, to great effect. They…

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