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.

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

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.
 

Chinese openwork guard of the 17th century.

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.