Antique Vietnamese Straight sword Guom

A scarce sword from Vietnam previously called Indo-China. Swords of this form are much harder to find than the typical Vietnamese sword which is curved and seems to be related to the Dha form of sword from Burma and Thailand, or the Chinese Dao. The Guom with a long straight double-edged blade appears to have a borrowed from of the jian sword from China. This example has silver and silver overlaid mounts of very good quality, the grip is of ribbed hardwood inlaid with panels of mother-of pearl shell. Good quality steel blade with a central fuller, silver mounts to the blade top or forte, some chiselled engraving. The scabbard of wood with silver mounts (central one missing), the chape with a dragon motif. Some losses to the grip inlay, otherwise a very nice collectible sword rarely seen. Vietnam/Southern Asia/Far East