The Chinese word 镰刀 ‘Liandao’ can be generally seen as the translation for the word ‘sickle’, but it is hard to determine the original name for this rare weapon. Originating from the South of China, with decoration which is often seen in port cities such as Shanghai. The weapon, which is often seen in pairs is a combination of a mace and sickle. Made to disarm and defend against opponent strikes leaving fatal consequences. The hilt has a wooden grip with a stylistic lotus leaf design. The D-shaped guard has a protrusion on top which serves as thumb rest and catches sword or knife thrusts, a feature often seen on Southern Chinese arms. Some of these weapons were confiscated by governmental institutes in the late 19th and early 20th century. The type usually comes in pairs, with hilts flattened on one side to put them together hilt to hilt in storage. This example could theoretically be one of a pair, but I believe it is assumable to be single used due to the overall round shape of the grip. The rod is thick and square shaped looping into a thick well made sickle with straight back ending with a sharp angled curve towards the tip.
A pair of sickle hooks were confiscated among some other weapons by the Shanghai constabulary force, circa 1925
Condition: Good, worn hilt with a crack due to its age, but further in good preserved condition.