Chinese, Late Qing Dynasty, Military Dao Sword, Boxer Rebellion Period c.1890–1900, Iron Mounted, Original Scabbard

*Chinese, Late Qing Dynasty, Military Dao Sword, Boxer Rebellion Period c.1890–1900, Iron Mounted, Original Scabbard*

A large and impressive antique Chinese military Dao sword dating to the late Qing Dynasty, most likely from the final decades of the 19th century and consistent with regulation weapons of the Boxer Rebellion period (circa 1890–1900). This is a substantial military example retaining its original scabbard and showing clear signs of genuine service use.

The sword has a heavy, single-edged curved steel blade measuring approximately 75.3 cm, formed with a narrow single fuller running along the spine for much of its length. The blade displays a good, honest age patina with visible forging marks, staining, and several small edge nicks consistent with field use rather than later damage. The form, thickness, and fuller style are typical of late Qing military manufacture.

The hilt is of traditional Chinese army construction, with a plain dished circular iron guard, iron ferrule, and rounded iron pommel secured by peened tang. The wooden grip retains its original tight cord binding, now darkened with age but still firm and complete, giving the sword a very authentic untouched appearance.

The sword is complete with its original wooden scabbard, covered in black leather or fish-skin type material, fitted with iron mounts and suspension bands. The bands retain their pierced hanging lugs for belt suspension, a characteristic feature of late Qing military swords. The scabbard shows natural wear from age and use but remains solid and complete.

Overall proportions and construction correspond closely with late Qing regulation Dao, often classified as Liuyedao or Peidao types, which were still widely carried by Imperial troops, provincial forces, and militia units in the final years of the Qing Dynasty.

This is a particularly strong and honest example of a late 19th century Chinese military sword, with original components, good age, and excellent historical character.

Approx. Measurements – Blade length: 75.3 cm. Overall length: 92.3 cm.

Historical Note:
The Boxer Rebellion (1899–1901) took place during the final years of the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912), a period in which traditional Dao sabres were still standard sidearms for Chinese military forces despite the increasing use of modern firearms.

Large iron-mounted Dao of this type were typical regulation weapons carried by Qing Imperial Army soldiers and provincial troops. They were generally of practical, munitions-grade construction, with iron mounts, cord-bound grips, and leather-covered scabbards fitted with suspension bands for belt carry.

During the Boxer Rebellion, both official Qing forces and irregular fighters used Dao swords, although rebel weapons were often more crudely made civilian types such as niuweidao (“oxtail sabres”). The present example, with its iron military fittings and regulation style scabbard mounts, is consistent with late Qing army issue rather than civilian or militia manufacture.

Swords of this form represent the last generation of traditional Chinese military edged weapons before the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1912.

*Condition*
Good antique condition with clear age and service wear throughout. Blade with patina, staining and edge nicks consistent with use. Hilt solid with original cord binding intact. Guard, ferrule and pommel with age-related surface oxidation. The scabbard remains original with wear to the leather covering and oxidation to the iron mounts. The scabbard throat does not sit fully flush to the guard, which is typical of hand-made Qing period military swords and consistent with original field manufacture. Structurally sound and an honest untouched example. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.

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