Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-08-12
CHINESE SWORDSMITHS.
SOME REMARKABLE PRODUCTS
OF THEIR SKILL.
short Stabbing Daggers Used BY the
Pirates-Thc Curious So-Callcd
Two laded sword From
Ho-Nan-Seven Stars.

Il was asked to execute a COM
mission for Rev. DR.. c. M. Shepherd.
the distinguished Nebraska divine u
gentleman who though n man OF
peace has one OF the finest il not
the very best collections OF swords
and other weapons In the world once
said DR.. Bedlor United States consul
to Anon China to Philadelphia
Times reporter. This led to my ex-
aiming several hundred rare and
curious weapons sent me for inspection
and approval, and these are few of
those selected No two are alike and
not one but wha. displays rare skill
and inventive power on the part Of
the { hinese swordsmith.
The handsomest OF all is general 8
saber about four feet and half long.
Slightly Japanese in style with an
| edge like razor and "a point that
| would extort admiration from Colonel
Jack Chin. of ouisville KY tn
like our own, the thickest part OF the
blade is the center. This gives great
weight to tho weapon. joined to the
appearance OF extreme lightness.
Tine scabbard is made of hard tough
wood lacquered TO represent black
iron in crusted with mother Of pearl.
The hilt is OF black iron nodded in
the form of full blown rose. the
petals of which have been drilled
with small hole and these filled with
bright brass bars
Tho most curious of the lot to my
eye is the so.called warriors two.
bladed sword from Ho-nan. 1t is onl Y
about two feet long and in the scab-
bard looks very much like the sword
bayonet of our own army. he scab-
bard is plain but very neat and COW
cred with white shagreen or shark
skin and trimmed with brass mount
ings. When you draw it the blades
divides into two each the fac smile
of the other. double edged and spear
pointed. The twin blades have re-
markable decoration made by drilling
seven holes about an inch and a half
apart and put in zig gag line from
hilt to point These are filled with
pure copper which is ground down
to form u smooth surface flush with
the steel and polished to brig Illness.
These seven scars as they arc
called. are found in nearly all the
martial weapons of IIo nan and are
relics OF the old astrologic faith that
still prevails in many parts OF China.
Its hold Is so strong that if the COP
per falls out OF one OF the side holes
it is accepted as a sure precursor oil
death, and the luckless wielder OF the
blade usually commits suicide to es-
cape further trouble.
The short stabbing daggers which
find favor chiefly with pirates and
revolutionists form strong contras,
with tho weapons described. They
are generally SO ugly that they would
be ludicrous were 1t not for tho pur
poses to which they are applied
have one which looks like a queerly
made ace of spades fastened into {
wirebound handle.
TO increase the artistic effect O.
the weapon the armorer has hol, owet
outa n-shaped concavity on either
side Of. the blade and filed it with
blood red lacquer the effect OF which
when suddenly drawn from a blacl
sheath. is very startling. Spades IL
not the only suit in the pack that Il
popular in the Monaghan mind.
have another weapon whose blade 1.
a perfect ace OF diamond. All fouI
sides is ground down to an almos
concave edge and the blade is mad,
hideous by Chinese lac iuer worl
made 10 represent drops OF blood AM
gouts OF gore Still another dagger
is about tho clumsiest affair OF Tho
kind | have ever handled. The blad,
is foot long about three inches W i'd,
and half an inch thick. With it
heavy brass hilt and gigantic guard
it weighs over three pounds. II Sc
with u long handle it could be used a
an ak. 1t is used by the Black Flag
and other Celestial outlaws who Il
addition to using it in the ordinar,
manner throw it with fatal precision
1.-The ex-resident OF Tonquin toll,
me that during the late war he hat
known instances in which the knives
were thrown with such force that tn Q,
would 60 through a mans body an,
show two inches OF bloody steel be
You'd his back. The handles OF man
OF these instruments of death are fin
ished with what we call pistol grips
The most Unlocking weapon O
all was the execut oneer's sword use
by the late headman OF Annoy IL |
of Manchurian type being long. al
, most straight very heavy and keenl
/ edged. 1t is used with one hand. an,
is shaped and wound so as to giveth
eSecutioneer powerful hold upon hi
weapon. Upon the blade near III
hllt are Chinese characters recording
the tragic events in which it has take
active part.
My interpreter told me that the
record no less that 1913 human live
which it ha, taken out of this world
This record enhances its value
sword of the same kind could b
bought for SO or $l2. but for thi
sword with its ghastly history tn
thrifty broker wanted 5000 cash. H
evidently thought that although