Yet another wotsit.

[Jim McDougall]

Thoroughly interested in this weapon, I looked further:
Apparantly in South China, where a great deal of foreign influences converged in the regions of Canton, there were forms of Kung Fu which included use of paired edged weapons, usually knives termed 'hudie shuang dao'. These were commonly termed butterfly knives as they were typically encased in pairs but not to be confused with the Filipino folding knife (balisong).

One reference notes that some had a 'long narrow blade that emphasized stabbing" . It was noted that some of these were termed 'red boat' knives having to do with 'Red Boat' (red colored junk) opera troupes who performed as a cover while practicing as subversive revolutionaries covertly, and these kinds of weapons. The illustrated painting is not specifically shown as representing these persons, but to illustrate the variations of paired edged weapons known used by such martial artists.

In any case, during the First Opium War (1839-42) many conflicts were situated in Canton regions. Here we can see the potential for European influences, as seen as mentioned in other cases as the 'butterfly' knife sets with knuckleguard. It would not seem far fetched that these Chinese martial arts weapons might adopt other hilt features (as cast ribbed grips) as well.

While we cannot say specifically that this is one of these Chinese knives, the purpose of this information on possible Chinese association is for the benefit of evaluation by those interested here.

[kronckew]

My Qing Dynasty 'hudie shuang dao' - Pirate swords. mid-18c before they started the double sword bit and they started getting wider and with off centre points like the 'modern' ones.

These are NOT huidi dao 'butterfly' knives as they are singletons instead of a matched pair with half hilts that fit the same scabbard. These have full oval x-section checkered grips and wider brass guards.

The top one is a thrusting version, the slightly longer bottom is a much thicker and heavier cutting one. they are unlike the wotsit. I think the guard shape is coincidental parallel evolution, still think it's a European custom item made to a specific requirement.

I̶ ̶s̶u̶s̶p̶e̶c̶t̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶'̶r̶e̶d̶ ̶s̶h̶i̶p̶'̶ ̶r̶e̶f̶e̶r̶e̶n̶c̶e̶ ̶r̶e̶f̶e̶r̶s̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶c̶o̶l̶o̶u̶r̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶i̶r̶ ̶l̶a̶t̶e̶s̶t̶ ̶v̶i̶c̶t̶i̶m̶'̶s̶ ̶d̶e̶c̶k̶s̶ ̶a̶f̶t̶e̶r̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶y̶ ̶l̶e̶a̶v̶e̶.̶ ̶:̶(̶

See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I7lK2wOuZs

I knew I'd heard 'red boats' somewhere. I seem to recall visiting one in Hong Kong...memory fading tho. Red is the colour of good luck and happiness.

Cantonese 'red boats' were Showboata carrying Chinese Opera actors around the areas rivers, bit like the showboats on the Mississippi. They used Kung Fu in their styalised stories.

I made & added the chinese butterfly sword knot because I thought it fit.

[Jim McDougall]

Finally found this image of a Chinese (presumably martial artist) man with two of these long weapons used in pair.

[kronckew]

had to rename that to add the .jpg extension.

They look like a chinese sword breaker (Gan/Garn) posted elsewhere here.

A overly lengthy Chinese demo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SykZHMsCIfU


your painting from above and that breaker:

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by kronckew

had to rename that to add the .jpg extension.

They look like a chinese sword breaker (Gan/Garn) posted elsewhere here.

A overly lengthy Chinese demo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SykZHMsCIfU


your painting from above and that breaker:

Wayne thank you for the adjustment I sort of missed doing that .
Good observation on the breaker, and very well might be, I just saw a guy holding two straight 'bladed' things and thought of the two handed posture.

Great pic of the red 'showboat'!! Really appreciate the dimension of these weapons in these contexts.

[kronckew]

More red 'Show-boat' stuff:

Note the Wing Chun kung-fu ''mok yan chong'' practice tree on the bow of the model. The lady is one of the few Chinese opera stars of her age (most were actually men in drag) from the 1920's. She was the only one allowed to train with real weapons. Note the butterfly swords that had already degenerated to the off centre tip versions, pretty much restricted to slicing only, unlike the Qing singleton ones of mine above.

[Will M]

I've seen something quite similar before and it was a fireplace poker. It could well be part of a Victorian fireplace set. Surplus sword blades and hilts were repurposed for quite a few things from pokers to candle sticks as were bayonets.