Sword for Identification

G. Mansfield · 4th April 2018, 04:24 PM

Today I was browsing the vault at the war museum where I work and stumbled upon this sword. Outside of my knowledge, I wondered the possible origin and date of this piece. It was donated a number of years ago but the source had no information pertaining to it. Possibly a reworked European blade mounted to a North African hilt? Horn grip and D-guard with some crude unidentified stamp markings on the blade. These are the only photos that I have at the moment. Any direction on where to search for this style sword would help. Thank You.

-Geoff

Sajen · 4th April 2018, 06:21 PM

So far I know are this swords from Cuba but I am unsure, but certainly from South America.

Regards,
Detlef

Sajen · 4th April 2018, 06:27 PM

Here an old thread regarding this swords: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=cuba

G. Mansfield · 4th April 2018, 08:16 PM

Thank You Detlef, This is just the direction that I needed pointed to. Much appreciation.

-Geoff

Sajen · 4th April 2018, 08:18 PM

You are welcome Geoff!

Ian · 4th April 2018, 10:54 PM

Hi Geoff:

Detlef has pointed you to the right place. Cuban machete/sword, Spanish-American War era.

Ian

Rick · 5th April 2018, 04:19 AM

It would be interesting to know exactly where these blades were sourced from; New World, or Old.

Battara · 5th April 2018, 06:25 AM

I agree with Ian. And I am thinking that they were made in Cuba.

Sajen · 5th April 2018, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

It would be interesting to know exactly where these blades were sourced from; New World, or Old.

Here a quotation from Jim in the above given thread: "An article, "Machetes del Ejercito de Ultramar en Cuba y Puerto Rico" by Juan L. Calvo (Sept. 2006) shows one of these fabricated in Toledo in 1856 but attributed to Cuba as 'de Guanabacoa'."
I think it's nearby that they get worked partly in the old world and partly in the new world.

Regards,
Detlef

Kubur · 5th April 2018, 01:14 PM

Well Cuba Ok
but some of them are clearly South Morocco (until someone proves me that the scabbards are not Africans...)
So I prefer to say Spanish colonial...

ariel · 5th April 2018, 01:45 PM

I think Kubur may have a point here about the scabbards.
They look awfully African.
Similar scabbards were used in Ethiopia ( see Spring “African arms and armor”, plate 24). I am not familiar with anything similar in any Spanish- controlled culture.

Battara · 6th April 2018, 12:17 AM

Although scabbards being made in Africa could be a possibility, don't forget that a strong African influence from the descendants of African slaves was present and still exists in Cuba today.

4th April 2018, 04:24 PM	#1
G. Mansfield Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Colorado Posts: 103	Sword for Identification Today I was browsing the vault at the war museum where I work and stumbled upon this sword. Outside of my knowledge, I wondered the possible origin and date of this piece. It was donated a number of years ago but the source had no information pertaining to it. Possibly a reworked European blade mounted to a North African hilt? Horn grip and D-guard with some crude unidentified stamp markings on the blade. These are the only photos that I have at the moment. Any direction on where to search for this style sword would help. Thank You. -Geoff Attached Images

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4th April 2018, 06:21 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,415	So far I know are this swords from Cuba but I am unsure, but certainly from South America. Regards, Detlef

4th April 2018, 06:27 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,415	Here an old thread regarding this swords: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=cuba

4th April 2018, 08:16 PM	#4
G. Mansfield Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Colorado Posts: 103	Thank You Detlef, This is just the direction that I needed pointed to. Much appreciation. -Geoff

4th April 2018, 08:18 PM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,415	You are welcome Geoff!

4th April 2018, 10:54 PM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,519	Hi Geoff: Detlef has pointed you to the right place. Cuban machete/sword, Spanish-American War era. Ian

5th April 2018, 04:19 AM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	It would be interesting to know exactly where these blades were sourced from; New World, or Old.

5th April 2018, 06:25 AM	#8
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	I agree with Ian. And I am thinking that they were made in Cuba.

5th April 2018, 01:14 PM	#10
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Well Cuba Ok but some of them are clearly South Morocco (until someone proves me that the scabbards are not Africans...) So I prefer to say Spanish colonial...

5th April 2018, 01:45 PM	#11
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I think Kubur may have a point here about the scabbards. They look awfully African. Similar scabbards were used in Ethiopia ( see Spring “African arms and armor”, plate 24). I am not familiar with anything similar in any Spanish- controlled culture.

6th April 2018, 12:17 AM	#12
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	Although scabbards being made in Africa could be a possibility, don't forget that a strong African influence from the descendants of African slaves was present and still exists in Cuba today.