[Jim McDougall]

Interesting.
Actually the 'espada ancha' (in period termed machete) was indeed worn 'on the trail' by horsemen, both civilian as well as soldados.
The machete was never intended as a combative weapon though it certainly could have been in situations.

The soldado's primary weapon was his lance, though in some cases swords might have been worn, as well as a firearms, typically the escopeta or pistols in some cases. The sword was considered not particularly effective in fighting the Indian tribes. The machete was the edged weapon most commonly carried by soldados on the trail. In the presidios they did wear swords, usually of bilbo form.

The espada ancha did later begin receiving the dragoon blades when the sword began being placed under the saddle in civilian cases. While in some cases the hilts were of the 'espada ancha' form (see the example I term Californio for the Avila comparison) mostly they were on cavalry form hilts c. 1805-10.

While the espada ancha was developing in the regions of New Spain in the Caribbean and throughout what is now Mexico (possibly the hilts derived from hangers and cutlasses used on vessels) ....California was not settled until 1769 (San Diego) and then only sparsely. So the period of evolution in Alta California for the espada ancha.

The arming sword known as the bilbo (two shell guard) was most commonly used by military in New Spain in the frontier regions and most of northwest Mexico. The 'cup hilt' forms seem to have been more prevalent in the Caribbean and Spains colonies there in coastal areas.
As always there were of course exceptions, but nominally.

While swords might have been dismantled to preserve heirloom blades, in most cases there were considerable volumes of blades being sent to the colonies to either remount swords or for newly produced hilts.
Large bundles of sword blades of various forms, but mostly the double edged broadsword blades in use through the 18th c.

The attached are examples of the 'cavalry' hilts that began being mounted with these 18th century straight broadsword dragoon blades in the early 19th century, seen being worn under the saddle and left leg as in this painting by James Walker of a vaquero. It is believed this was Don Peralta,the sword shows the branched guard.
The one with dragoon blade and espada ancha hilt with leaf shaped shell on crossguard is as previously discussed similar to the Avila sword c. 1831 Los Angeles. It is noted on the Avila sword, the blade is much earlier.

Thank you for the links. The information on the presidios does give good information regionally on where these types of weapons may have evolved. Now if we can find provenance with examples.