Spanish ?? I.D. Help Needed

[celtan]

Hi Jim,

I have seen many sword guards with the shell motif, but they are usually single pieces mounted on the frontal aspect. This one is bilobated, with one shell (frontal) larger than the other. Do the ones you guys refer to as colonial share this particular detail?

Nandinho: Thanks, I do have a .pdf of Gladius XXIV, 2004, pp. 209-260
INTRODUCCIÓN AL ESTUDIO TIPOLÓGICO DE LAS ESPADAS ESPAÑOLAS: SIGLOS XVI-XVII.

Regarding the wolfie/doggie motif, It well might have been more common in those times than we think, and in fact it may be a mark of quality. I recall having once seen a very old shield belonging to my family, showing a rampant wolfie/doggie, red over green or viceversa.

Whether it's a good or bad quality mark I can't say, but please don't ask my wife...

: )

M