Language: Mandarin Chinese

Source: Classical literature

Description

Hùshǒu pán (護手盤) literally means "hand protecting disc". It was used to describe the disc guards found primarily on sabers, but also on occasion on pole-arms and straightswords.1

Also see Dāo hūshǒu (刀護手).

For a complete overview of saber parts, see: A Chinese saber glossary.

Chinese jian with disc guard
A somewhat rare example of a Chinese jiàn with a disc guard.

Utilitarian sword guard
A utilitarian disc guard on a 19th century Qing soldier's saber.

Saber guard
A carved brass saber guard on a 19th century Qing officer's saber.

17th century saber guard

Iron guard with lavish golden damascening on a 17th century Chinese saber.
 

openwork guard
Chinese openwork guard of the 17th century.

Openwork saber guard
Gilt copper alloy openwork guard on an 18th century Qing imperial saber.

 

References
1. Qinding Gongbu Junqi Zeli (欽定工部軍器則例) or "Imperial regulations and precedents on weapons and military equipment by the Ministry of Public Works", 1813. Chapter 36.

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A very rare Chinese saber guard dating from the height of the Qing dynasty.

€1500,-

Of classic shape, with a leaf-shaped blade on a socket, connected by a cast bronze base.

€375,-

A standard pattern Qing military saber, but with the rare addition of a label in Manchu.

€1900,-

Blade marked with VOC Amsterdam monogram, and the year 1769.

€2000,-

With Dutch VOC blade, marked with the Amsterdam monogram.

€1750,-

A robust and heavy example, crafted with care.

€750,-