Chinese Officers sword. Early Republican Period. Before 1935. Hilt of gilt brass in the shape of a pouncing lion with glass eyes. Pairs of republican flags and foliate elements. Steel chrome plated blade engraved with seven characters and foliate scrolling. Steel chrome plated scabbard with lion shaped hangers engraved with gilt brass drag and mouth. Decoration of republican flags, clouds, flowers and the furnament on a punched ground. 38" total length. Possible General Chang Ching Yao. Provenance: Discovered in an attic in Ohio. Belonged to Royce Ellsworth Beaverson (1924-1988), having been in the U.S. Navy (1941-1946), with an honorable discharge. He was stationed in China during WW II. Beaverson was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Medal, Victory Medal, American Area Medal, and enlisted a second time on September 15, 1950, during the Korean conflict, with an honorable discharge in 1954. Mr. Beaverson was in China after the surrender of Japan, he served in multiple Japanese ports, including Iwo Jima, and was present in Tokyo Bay during the surrender of Japan. This sword has been an object of fascination for Mr. Beaverson's descendants. Numerous photographs and additional history relating to Mr. Beaverson is available to the successful purchaser. This item may have additional high-resolution photographs, available to view at our Dropbox. Images are organized by lot number. Click the link to view: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wnekz5fvnplsoh7/AACJZrp1-VQb_ZoEetiAzl6fa?dl=0