TIBETAN SHORTSWORD OR KNIFE

18^th-19^th century. See Rediscovering the Arms and Armor of Tibet, #73 for an identical hilt with a longer blade. This example with 9 7/8” blade, is mounted in white metal with relief decorated pommel over a beaded band, fluted wire wrapped grip and beaded bands to the hilt base and scabbard li. Decorated metal scabbard mounts, the body with old hide covering, slightly shrunk and a military khaki cloth strip at the middle, a trophy of a Chinese soldier’s uniform. Communist China took over Tibet In 1950. Several battles were fought in the 1950’s before the Dali Lama and his followers left in 1959. This weapon is a veteran of one of those battles.