Sword for Identification

[G. Mansfield]

Today I was browsing the vault at the war museum where I work and stumbled upon this sword. Outside of my knowledge, I wondered the possible origin and date of this piece. It was donated a number of years ago but the source had no information pertaining to it. Possibly a reworked European blade mounted to a North African hilt? Horn grip and D-guard with some crude unidentified stamp markings on the blade. These are the only photos that I have at the moment. Any direction on where to search for this style sword would help. Thank You.

-Geoff

[Sajen]

So far I know are this swords from Cuba but I am unsure, but certainly from South America.

Regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

Here an old thread regarding this swords: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10636&highlight=cuba

[G. Mansfield]

Thank You Detlef, This is just the direction that I needed pointed to. Much appreciation.

-Geoff

[Sajen]

You are welcome Geoff! :)

[Ian]

Hi Geoff:

Detlef has pointed you to the right place. Cuban machete/sword, Spanish-American War era.

Ian

[Rick]

It would be interesting to know exactly where these blades were sourced from; New World, or Old. :confused:

[Battara]

I agree with Ian. And I am thinking that they were made in Cuba.

[Sajen]

It would be interesting to know exactly where these blades were sourced from; New World, or Old. :confused:

Here a quotation from Jim in the above given thread: "An article, "Machetes del Ejercito de Ultramar en Cuba y Puerto Rico" by Juan L. Calvo (Sept. 2006) shows one of these fabricated in Toledo in 1856 but attributed to Cuba as 'de Guanabacoa'."
I think it's nearby that they get worked partly in the old world and partly in the new world.

Regards,
Detlef

[Kubur]

Well Cuba Ok
but some of them are clearly South Morocco (until someone proves me that the scabbards are not Africans...)
So I prefer to say Spanish colonial...
:)

[ariel]

I think Kubur may have a point here about the scabbards.
They look awfully African.
Similar scabbards were used in Ethiopia ( see Spring “African arms and armor”, plate 24). I am not familiar with anything similar in any Spanish- controlled culture.

[Battara]

Although scabbards being made in Africa could be a possibility, don't forget that a strong African influence from the descendants of African slaves was present and still exists in Cuba today.