gourd shape open metalwork pommel - Ming Dynasty

White Serpent Ming Jian is a 1:1 replica of one of the most exquisite Ming Jian in private collection.   During the Ming Dynasty, nobilities and high ranking ministers preferred Jian as their side arms as a weapon of self defense and a symbol of status. 

White Serpent Ming Jian features a beautiful blade designed for cutting and thrusting. Both   edges run almost parallel to each other with subtle tapering and end in a almond shaped tip.  White Serpent has the Ming classic Gourd and Lingzhi hilt design but executed in delicate open metal work, project a sense of lightness and transparency.  Richly appointed with brass fittings and ivory damask wrapped scabbard give White Serpent a distinctive Ming era design

White Serpent represent a high point in Ming Jian design and the original is one of the most beautiful Ming Jian preserved to this day.

Specifications

All measurements are approximations

Each handmade blade various a bit

Sword only weight:  approx. 870 g (1 lb. 14.7 oz)

Blade length: 76 cm (29.92")

Handle plus pommel length: 20.5 cm (8.07")

Total length: 96.00 cm (37.79")

Subtle tapering with gentle pointed tip

Width at hand guard: 34.35 mm

Width at tip: 23.14 mm   

Thickness at end of hand guard: 5.54 mm

Thickness at the tip: 2.67 mm

POB:  approx. 12 cm (4.72") 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: 

1060 carbon steel + T9 tungsten-vanadium high-speed tool steel. 

1060 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            075-084

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

The pommel is in Ming classic gourd design symbolize Fortune and Wealth, the hand guard is in the  "Lingzhi" classic design symbolize Longevity. However, these classic designs are precision casted to recreate the intricate Lòukōng (鏤空)  consists of the words lòu (鏤), "to carve", and kōng (空), "hollow".  It is used to describe pierced work, openwork or fretwork. 

Scabbard

The elaborate scabbard are framed from top and bottom and side to side with Serpent motif fittings,  The long hanging raft is of the intricate shape of serpents.  The scabbard is wrapped in ivory silk damask with raised classic pattern. 

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.