Theyanlingdao (Chinese:雁翎刀;lit. 'goose-quill saber') oryanmaodao (Chinese:雁毛刀;lit. 'goose-fur saber') is a type ofdao used as a standard military weapon during theMing dynasty and middleQing dynasty (1368–1800). Theblade is straight until the curve begins around the center of percussion along the last 1/4 or so of the blade approaching the tip. The center of percussion is the point on the blade with the least vibration on hard contact, the spot on the blade that transmits the most power to the target in a hard chop. This allows for thrusting attacks and overall handling similar to that of thejian, while still preserving much of thedao's strengths in cutting and slashing.[1] This type ofsword seems to have lost its popularity with military and martial arts practitioners alike by the end of the 18th century, being eclipsed by the more curvedliuyedao in the military, and the more broadOxtail Dao in civilian and martial art settings.
Yanmaodao almost invariably have straight grips, although downward-curved handles are depicted in Ming artwork. During the last century of Qing rule, curved grips became far more prevalent than straight.
Yanmaodao is a modern term, which appears to have been coined by antique collectors to help classify this distinct shape of military sabre blade. It does not appear to have been used in classical texts.
Yanlingdao (雁翎刀) or "goose-feather sabre" is another term used at least since the Song dynasty, which is at times use interchangeably with yanmaodao. No period depictions of yanlingdao exist, so it remains unclear if this was an entirely different type of sabre, or just another name for the same type of sword.[2]