The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-08-22
CHINESE WEAPONS,
Many of Them More Ornamental Than
Useful.

From the Collector
In weapons Of war. China displays q re-
markable variety. On the coast, its soldiers
are armed with the latest rifle, while in the
far interior they employ the same arms as
were used by the vast hosts of Tamerlane
aud Genghis Khan. Taking the empire as a
whole, the student or collector can find in
use to-day every weapon that has been en-
ployed within its borders since the time Of
Coufucius. In addition to this, the man-
darins and high officials arm their retinues
with conventional weapons representing
different periods In the history OF the nation.
On account of the changes wrought by time,
many OF these martial instruments are
30 incongruous as to be positively
funny. Thus, for example, the Monaghan
Tartars did their hghting on horseback and
one of their most formidable was a pole, to
which was attacked a hook edged on the
inside. With this, they would pull a rider
from his steed wounding or killing him In
the process, or would hamstring the hors.
at single blow. This polehook is no longer
used by the few cavalry squadrons Of
China, but is found carried by footmen in
nearly all the retinues of the great mobiles.
1t looks formidable, but when used by in
fantry against infantry would be as serv-
iceable as an Indian club fastened securely
to the end of broomstick.
A glance at collection Of these arms
shows that military uniformity was almost
unknown to the Chinese generals OF the past,
and that the armies we're made up of diverse
elements, armed usually with such instru-
ments used in peaceful pursuits as can be
| utilized IN war. A common weapon is a
trident. tined aud barbsd exactly as are
those employed by fishermen in spearing
cells, fatfsh and sAlmon. Similar to this Is
three-tined hay fork, and Of equally
Ducolic origin Is a long pole, 20 whose end ts
fastened the blade Of a scythe or sickle. The
European mace is suggested by a long
handled, light-headed hammer similar TO
that with which Charles Martel Is said 60
have won his quaint name. 1t is obvious
that these four weapons are OF harmless
origin. The first was the favorite imple-
ment Of fishermen, and the second third and
fourth Of agricultural communities.
OF the five types described, there are ends
less varieties. The poles are bamboo or solid
wood. They are plain, carved, or decorated
with mother-of-psarl, metal or cord. The
heads are copper, brass, iron, pewter or
steel. Sometimes they are silvered, some
times bronEed laoquered or gilt. Handsome
ones are the exception aud not the rule
The average retainer OF q high official car
ries an arm whose pole 10 of the commonest
wood, stained red, and whose head is Of the
poorest kind of cast-iron or impure pewter.
Many Of these ominous looking affairs
would not stand light blow, both head
and pole breaking at a very slight shock.
have never seen any lances. The de-
hciency is made up by surplus Of spear
and halberds. OF these the designs are va
rled, ranging from light and efficient points
and edges 20 grotesque and hideous shapes,
that would brighten more thAu they would
hurt. At times tho workmanship Il admir-
able. A spear captured by the French from
the Black Flags Ia Tonquin IL eight feet
long The shaft 10 Of iron wood round .
polished and yarnished. and reinforced here
aud there b. wrapEiBgs OF dne copper wire,
and NJ the upper hand Is incrustod for a
foot with mother-Of-pearl. The end IL
ferrulsd With large copper band Ia which