A WELL PRESERVED ANTIQUE MING JIAN

Grand Marshal Ming Jian is a high fidelity 1:1 replica of a well preserved antique Ming Jian.  

Military Ming Jian has sturdy blades and was designed as a cutting and thrusting sword in an era of sophisticated heavy armor. Both cutting edges run almost parallel to each other with subtle tapering and end in a roundish tip.  The robust blade is balanced by equally robust hand guard and pommel, resulting in an authoritative yet lively sword.  

Marshals, generals and high ranking military officials invariably preferred Military Jian as their side arms as can be seen from their portraits. 

The Gourd and Lingzhi design of Grand Marshal Military Jian are rich in Taoist symbolism.  Gourds are used as containers for elixir and pills for immortality. Lingzhi mushroom was and still is believed to bring health and longevity.  

Richly appointed with brass fittings and heavy grade Lapacho scabbard, the subdued yet sophisticated design of Grand Marshal Ming Jian fitted right at home in courtly ceremonial occasions as well as a formidable blade for hand to hand combat.

Specifications

All measurements are approximations

Each handmade blade various a bit

Sword only weight:  approx. 1104 g (2 lb. 6.9 oz. )

Blade length: 74.61 cm (29.38")

Handle plus pommel length: 22.86 cm (9.0")

Total length: 97.47. cm (38.37")

Subtle tapering with gentle round tip

Width at hand guard: 33.3 mm

Width at mid blade: 28.76 mm

Width at tip: 23 mm   

Thickness at end of hand guard: 6.31 mm

Thickness at mid blade: 4.71 mm

Thickness at the tip: 2.93 mm

POB:  approx. 7.62 cm (3") from base of hand guard by the hilt

Blade Profile: diamond 4 surfaces

Steel option 1

Labor intensive classic Sanmai (three plate) steel.

Hand folded pattern steel on the outside, 

T10 steel in the core.

Steel option 2

Folded pattern steel: 

1065 carbon steel + T9 tungsten-vanadium high-speed tool steel.

1065 carbon steel

Element % 

Carbon            0.55-0.660    

Manganese     0.60-0.90           

Phosphorus     <=0.040         

Sulfur               <=0.050 

T9 tungsten-vanadium high-speed tool steel.

Element %                      

Carbon            0.75-0.84

Silicon              <=0.35           

Manganese     <=0.40           

Phosphorus     <=0.035         

Sulfur               <=0.030

Tungsten         <= 0.30

Vanadium       <= 0.02        

Chromium       <=0.25           

Nickel               <=0.20 

Copper            <=0.25

Molybdenum  <= 0.20

Steel option 3

GB 60Si2MnA High Carbon Manganese Spring Steel 

(Compare to AISI/SAE 5160 spring steel) 

Element %       60Si2MnA    AISI/SAE 5160   

Carbon            0.56-0.64      0.56-0.61

Silicon              1.60-2.00       0.15-0.35

Manganese     0.60-0.90      0.75-1.00

Phosphorus     <=0.030        <=0.035

Sulfur               <=0.030        <=0.040

Chromium       <=0.35          0.70-0.90

Nickel               <=0.35          <=0.25

Superior heat treatment:  Hardness 54-55 HRC. 

Blade rebounds to true after bending,  

Cut bamboo with ease.

Hand polish to smooth soft shine and sword sharp edge. 

Fittings

Precision cast brass fittings. The hand guard is in the Ming classic "Lingzhi" mushroom design. The pommel is in Ming classic gourd design.  Scabbard hanging fitting is in Gourd leaves design.  All symbolize longevity and good fortune.

Scabbard

Heavy grade Lapacho hardwood with brass scabbard mount

Fit and finish

We perfected the fit and finish of our swords and the final assembly is meticulously performed by our senior craft masters.  It takes a skill craftsman one whole working day to assemble our sword to a precision fit.