A rare early Qing Dynasty saber, made to order for an officer. The exceptionally long wooden grip lined with polished green rayskin and retaining its original green cord wrap. The mounts are of iron, pierced and chiseled in loukong style with intertwining vine and dragon motifs and much original gilding to borders, consisting of a large pommel, ferrule, circular guard, scabbard locket, a pair of linked suspension bands and a chape, with a small number of talismanic green stone or glass jewels inserted. In its green-leather covered wooden scabbard. The massive blade of continuously-expanding form with long, upswept tip; forged in the sanmei manner with active pattern-welded damascus visible. Inlaid in gold vine motifs at the forte with two fullers to each side and another at the tip, and two sets of three dimples forged in at the forte and again at the base of the back edge, all retaining considerable original red lacquer. First half of the 18th century. Scabbard leather renewed. Overall length 126.5 cm, blade 79 cm. According to the Huangchao Liqi Tushi (Illustrated Regulations for the Imperial Ceremonial Regalia) of 1759, this sword is probably a Luying Changren Dadao, or