Mexican court or officers sword c.1820s

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?

Jim McDougall · 31st May 2025, 10:25 PM

In the reference (pp.92-93)this type hilt is shown as saber mounted, c. 1813 during the Mexican Revolution and this example belonged to an officer with Father Morelos.....Vincente Ramon Guerrero. He later became the second president of Mexico, so the traditional importance of this type hilt can be seen.

The second example is of similar hilt character, and again seems to have been situated by form in southern regions from Acapulco to as far as South America. This one is put in the reference as c. 1820.

During the revolutionary times of the late 19th century in Mexico into the more defined period of the recognized Revolution (1910-1921 loosely) it seems that early forms of Mexican swords remained significant and sword makers in Oaxaca and several others produced them.

Jim McDougall · 31st May 2025, 11:01 PM

The Mexican Revolution of 1810 against the government of Spain was begun being led by Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753-1811) who was known as Father Hidalgo. He stood as the iconic figure of the Revolution after his execution on 1811.
The old news item I found (from '98) shows the celebration remembering these events and the militia known as 'cueredos' who fought under him.

The primary figure of the Revolution from 1910 was Francisco Zapata in regions in southern Mexico, depicted in this painting "Agrarian Leader Zapata" by Diego Rivera (1931). Note the sword depicted under his foot...remarkably like the multi bar hilt form shown in previous post and article.

31st May 2025, 09:31 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,258	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.

31st May 2025, 10:25 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,258	Reference from Brinckerhoff & Chamberlain In the reference (pp.92-93)this type hilt is shown as saber mounted, c. 1813 during the Mexican Revolution and this example belonged to an officer with Father Morelos.....Vincente Ramon Guerrero. He later became the second president of Mexico, so the traditional importance of this type hilt can be seen. The second example is of similar hilt character, and again seems to have been situated by form in southern regions from Acapulco to as far as South America. This one is put in the reference as c. 1820. During the revolutionary times of the late 19th century in Mexico into the more defined period of the recognized Revolution (1910-1921 loosely) it seems that early forms of Mexican swords remained significant and sword makers in Oaxaca and several others produced them. Attached Images

31st May 2025, 11:01 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,258	The Mexican Revolution of 1810 against the government of Spain was begun being led by Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753-1811) who was known as Father Hidalgo. He stood as the iconic figure of the Revolution after his execution on 1811. The old news item I found (from '98) shows the celebration remembering these events and the militia known as 'cueredos' who fought under him. The primary figure of the Revolution from 1910 was Francisco Zapata in regions in southern Mexico, depicted in this painting "Agrarian Leader Zapata" by Diego Rivera (1931). Note the sword depicted under his foot...remarkably like the multi bar hilt form shown in previous post and article. Attached Images