Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Jim McDougall · 31st May 2025, 09:31 PM

This Mexican sword seems to be of early 19th century, similar hilts are noted in references with the odd combination of multi bar guards combined with cup guard, and resemble the 'round tang' espadas (Adams 1985). The blade is of course clearly not a fighting blade, so this would appear to be a dress or possibly for an official or officer.

Online I found the example to the right listed as a Mexican generals sword 1883-1918.

Clearly Mexican sword traditions prevailed into the 20th century. As has been well attested, there is very little interest overall in Spanish colonial and Mexican arms, particularly edged weapons, and these typically reach unusual values due to the fact they are so esoteric and there is such a limited collecting base. Along with this, expectedly, there is a resounding dearth of published material on these weapons, with the single reference volume in English being "Spanish Military Arms in Colonial America", Pierce Chamberlain & Sidney Brinckerhoff, 1972. There are about six other brief articles published on them since 1946, prior to that only a brief chapter in a New Mexico journal in 1927 (Curtis).

Anyone out there interested as well?

31st May 2025, 09:31 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,265	Mexican court or officers sword c.1820s This Mexican sword seems to be of early 19th century, similar hilts are noted in references with the odd combination of multi bar guards combined with cup guard, and resemble the 'round tang' espadas (Adams 1985). The blade is of course clearly not a fighting blade, so this would appear to be a dress or possibly for an official or officer. Online I found the example to the right listed as a Mexican generals sword 1883-1918. Clearly Mexican sword traditions prevailed into the 20th century. As has been well attested, there is very little interest overall in Spanish colonial and Mexican arms, particularly edged weapons, and these typically reach unusual values due to the fact they are so esoteric and there is such a limited collecting base. Along with this, expectedly, there is a resounding dearth of published material on these weapons, with the single reference volume in English being "Spanish Military Arms in Colonial America", Pierce Chamberlain & Sidney Brinckerhoff, 1972. There are about six other brief articles published on them since 1946, prior to that only a brief chapter in a New Mexico journal in 1927 (Curtis). Anyone out there interested as well? Attached Images Last edited by Jim McDougall; 31st May 2025 at 09:54 PM.