This ancient saber derives its shape from Shang Dynasty (1766 – 1121 BC. For detail, see Ancient Chinese Bronze Utensils 古代中國青銅器（ISBN 7-310-00686-0) p.728, 圖10.59 ). It has a mark of 6 words “Jen An Er Nien Yong Bao” (made in the 2nd year of Jen Ann (198 AD); to be treasured forever). That was shortly before the Three Kingdoms Period, when Cao Cao was commanding the Han imperial court. From Dr. Robert I-San Lin (#5582), a senior Chinese artwork appraiser, whose grandfather was a major Chinese antique merchant in early 1900s. (Dr. Lin’s bio, in Journal of Authentication of Artworks, 2015, available). Brought to California in 1960s. “建安二年永寶”儀式刀。建安年間天下大亂，漢獻帝劉協逃亡，被曹操迎到許昌，獻帝有名無實，大權握在曹操手中。所以此刀應是曹操所製，象徵曹操的權威。看過三國演義的人都知道，這刀應是歷史的見證. 28.9 x 18.8 x 0.7 cm, 558 grams.