Spanish Modelo 1843 Artillery Machete or something else ?
 

At first glance, I thought it to be a Modelo 1843 Artillery Machete or Infantry Pioneers Sword, but when I received it and began to study it, it looked very different.First, the model that I looked at seemed to have a lion's head, this one is more leopard like.Next, the scales were simply done, not matching the more complex feathering of the original and the casting is cruder, exhibiting various casting flaws on the handle.The blade looks to be correct, but the scabbard is brown as opposed to black, with a different provision for the frog.
The sword looks genuinely old, so is this an old copy or a locally repurposed sword?

Can you post a 'better' picture of the inscription ? Does it say ARTª REAL DE TOLEDO ?... probably not :o .

It Reads "ART a FAB DE TOLEDO."

I think this is a Spanish M 1843 machete of the artillery but the surface of the hilt has been heavily abraded with the effect that the hairs of the lion's mane disappeared nearly completely.
corrado26