A knife of the Taiwanese people - a very fine example of a very rare knife. The heavy single edge blade is 17 inches long. The handle is forged in one piece with the blade and covered with braided rattan strips. The pommel knob is painted wood, plugged into the top opening of the tubular handle. The sheath is wood delicately painted and inscribed in Chinese. It is half open with a beautiful grid of brass wire holding the blade in position.. Total length 26 ½ inches. Very good condition. Minor damages and losses to the rattan binding of the handle. Minor cracks and wood chips on the scabbard. A fine and rare mid 19 C. Authentic knife.