The swords used in battles in the ch'in state of ancient china have been the subject of much discussion. It was thought they could not have been cast iron, as this would not have resisted the bronze weapons of their opponents. Excavated artifacts were conspicuous for the absence of cast-iron weapons. The preparation and testing of similar cast-iron weapons is described. It is concluded that efficiency was not a problem. It is also suggested that good weapons would not, in any case, have been buried, but instead passed on until of no further use, or superseded by newer types. In any case, the final repository would have been the foundry. Photograph, references.