A saber glossary in Manchu
An overview of Manchu saber terminology.
Markings on Chinese swords
Most markings are found on military edged weapons, usually in the form of serial numbers and characters denoting a place or unit.
Measurements of an Ottoman bow
Signatures on the bow indicate that it was probably made in 1849 and decorated in 1867.
Measurements of a Manchu bow
Made in the famous Changxing workshop in Chengdu, which as the subject of Tan Danjiong's (T'an Tan-Chiung) "Investigative Report on Bow and Arrow Manufacture in Chengdu"
Glossary of Chinese saber terminology
An overview of Chinese saber terminology as found in Chinese texts.
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
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 (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…
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…
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 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 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)…