Language: Mandarin Chinese
Source: Classical literature
Description
Dāo hūshǒu (刀護手) means "saber handguard".1
During the Qing, these were usually disc guards, also referred to as hùshǒu pán (護手盤).2
For a complete overview, see: A Chinese saber glossary.
A utilitarian disc guard on a 19th century Qing soldier's saber.
A carved brass saber guard on a 19th century Qing officer's saber.
Iron guard with lavish golden damascening on a 17th century Chinese saber.
Gilt copper alloy openwork guard on an 18th century Qing imperial saber.
References
1. Wuti Qingwen Jian (五體清文鑑)or "Five languages compendium". A Qing imperial dictionary in Manchu, Mongolian, Uighur, Tibetan and Chinese of 1766. Published under the Qianlong emperor.
2. 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.
