Recently Acquired Espada Ancha for Comment

drac2k · 18th January 2017, 02:29 PM

Your collection is fantastic ! Thanks for posting !

Belizechopper · 29th January 2017, 08:44 PM

Not a true espada ancha but never the less a good example of styles from different regions. I recently picked this up in Quito Ecuador so is a definite South American. Also it is made from I think an Ewald Broking Gevelsberg machete, acero garantizado, Steel guaranteed,. The other key is many times the Spanish backyard made or "espada ancha types" are given earlier dates than they deserve. This one cannot be earlier than 1885 or when Ewald begin in business and infact could be as late as World War II. Very late indeed for this type blacksmith sword. The simple guard style and rolled quillion is consistent with other South American blacksmith swords although I have seen very few confirmed South American.

Jim McDougall · 30th January 2017, 04:53 PM

Well observed Eric!!
The thing about these ultra simple ethnographic utilitarian weapons is that the blacksmiths and whatever artisans might put these together, the use and recycling of parts was consistant as might be expected.
As you note, often there is a certain exuberant optimism in the assessment of date on these well worn and little documented weapons.

The blade, as here, with the production period of a known maker being set, clearly illustrates this circumstance. Still, the weapon itself is established as a continuation of the tradition of these durable frontier arms, and there is a charm to these rugged swords regardless of period.

It does seem possible that the hilt may be much older, as this sort of assemblage is also well known with European arms. Many of the swords seen in the Wallace collection have very old hilts placed on newer blades, and the remount simply illustrates the often long working life of many arms. In many cases the older hilts may, just as with blades, be heirloom items which were desired to be kept in use with more serviceable blades.
In the case of these utilitarian swords, it was more that it was easier to use an extant old hilt and replace the blade when availability provided.

29th January 2017, 08:44 PM	#2
Belizechopper Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 10	South American espada Not a true espada ancha but never the less a good example of styles from different regions. I recently picked this up in Quito Ecuador so is a definite South American. Also it is made from I think an Ewald Broking Gevelsberg machete, acero garantizado, Steel guaranteed,. The other key is many times the Spanish backyard made or "espada ancha types" are given earlier dates than they deserve. This one cannot be earlier than 1885 or when Ewald begin in business and infact could be as late as World War II. Very late indeed for this type blacksmith sword. The simple guard style and rolled quillion is consistent with other South American blacksmith swords although I have seen very few confirmed South American. Attached Images

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18th January 2017, 02:29 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,255	Your collection is fantastic ! Thanks for posting !

30th January 2017, 04:53 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,200	Well observed Eric!! The thing about these ultra simple ethnographic utilitarian weapons is that the blacksmiths and whatever artisans might put these together, the use and recycling of parts was consistant as might be expected. As you note, often there is a certain exuberant optimism in the assessment of date on these well worn and little documented weapons. The blade, as here, with the production period of a known maker being set, clearly illustrates this circumstance. Still, the weapon itself is established as a continuation of the tradition of these durable frontier arms, and there is a charm to these rugged swords regardless of period. It does seem possible that the hilt may be much older, as this sort of assemblage is also well known with European arms. Many of the swords seen in the Wallace collection have very old hilts placed on newer blades, and the remount simply illustrates the often long working life of many arms. In many cases the older hilts may, just as with blades, be heirloom items which were desired to be kept in use with more serviceable blades. In the case of these utilitarian swords, it was more that it was easier to use an extant old hilt and replace the blade when availability provided.