Mystery Texas Blade?

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by blue lander

Could it be a plug bayonet?

As noted by Fernando, an excellent suggestion, and quite feasible if that grip obviously would concur with a gun barrel. The frontier smiths were quite creative and innovative, and often followed known European styles in fashioning their implements and arms etc. The colonies in New Spain were known for their array of often long obsolete forms of weaponry and all manner of armor, which of course was often duplicated in leather.
Clearly the center rib on this would offer strength in penetration so also would support the idea of a plug bayonet.

I honestly had not thought of that! Well done Blue Lander! Thank you .

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

As noted by Fernando, an excellent suggestion,...

No Jim, indeed such idea wouldn't occur to me; actually i showed surprise ( ) for blue lander's suggestion.
Even assuming that we have never seen everything and that rustic smithing may come out with the most bizarre specimens, it is elementary and obliging that plug bayonet grips must be tapered, to enable them to be progressively introduced into barrels, and end with a swell before the guard, to limit introduction.
I suppose you have R.D.C. Evans work, and so you may recall this principle in page 7.
So i risk to say that this piece in discussion is definitely something else.

.

[Jim McDougall]

Sorry Fernando, I did not know what that emotive meant, not that tech savvy and still rely on words (smile)

Very well made point, and again did not notice the swell at the end of the grip which of course would defeat use as a plug bayonet. My good friend Roger would have boxed my ears for that faux pas. (another smile).

[Ken Maddock]

How about a decorative piece on gates or a railing on a large house or civic building?

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Ken Maddock

How about a decorative piece on gates or a railing on a large house or civic building?

Another good idea Ken!!!
This does seem to have a certain decorative flair, now to check on perhaps architectural photos of fences and ironwork surrounding estates. First though we should probably determine if this is the case, how would it be attached, there does not seem to be a socket or means for that....would it then have been sawed off ?

[Ken Maddock]

Five min search on google images found this range of spikes
Nothing very similar but maybe?
Regards
Ken

[Jim McDougall]

Pretty compelling Ken, nice work!

It seems the blade on this is a bit excessive as most of these examples tend to more resemble fluer de lis and certain heraldic type devices.
I am still puzzled by that distinct central ridge on the blade.
I suppose it may be possible for this to be a blacksmiths interpretation of a sword.
I am always amazed at how industrious these early frontier blacksmiths were. I recall for example what we thought were early lance heads turned out to be actually cattle prods.

[M ELEY]

Hmm...I remain unconvinced that it is a decorative fence spike. A tool perhaps, as those implements are always popping up resembling their military cousins. The crosspiece looks too much like a guard to me, but because we are guessing...we are guessing!

The reinforced/raised ridge does resemble a feature found on many bayonets. I've seen French sword blades with this odd feature as well. I'm reminded of the way many of the Span colonial iron pieces were secured to hilts/hafts/shafts being quite different than their contemporaries. Early Span trade axes were axe heads sandwiched in between a split haft. Espada often had odd hilt configurations, with the tang again sandwiched in between slats of wood. My point being, perhaps IF this were a pole arm, it never had an open socket, but could have been secured to the pole via straps? I know, going fishing here. I have a feeling this is going to be one of those items we never get clarity on-