19th century. Type favored by pirates on the nearly 4000 mile long Yangtze River which carried much of China’s wealth from the interior to the sea. 20 ¾” length with 13 ¾” ridged medial double edged blade. Brass mounted, the pommel and guard with foliate and good fortune motifs. Ribbed wood grip. Sanded ray skin covered scabbard with four brass mounts decorated with foliage and bats. Blade light gray with original light tool finish. Mounts complete with small early repair to the lower of the middle three. Ray skin complete. These are known with both ray skin and tortoise shell covering. This example is exceptional in being complete with all mounts the grip not cracked as usually found and the complete scabbard covering.
