Recently Acquired Espada Ancha for Comment

[M ELEY]

Thanks, Jim! These pieces make me want to go and and buy one! Definitely as you described when you say they reflect the 'ruggedness' based on the territories they came from. If they could only talk, what tales they might have!

[kronckew]

thought i'd throw a picture of mine into the pot, especially as it still has it's leather sheath & fringe on the flap. kinda a falchion rather than a broadsword...

read somewhere they morphed into these at the latter part of the 19th century.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by kronckew

thought i'd throw a picture of mine into the pot, especially as it still has it's leather sheath & fringe on the flap. kinda a falchion rather than a broadsword...

read somewhere they morphed into these at the latter part of the 19th century.

Interesting blade, type described in post#2

[Belizechopper]

It is great to see another bone grip espada ancha with the forward quillions. The finger loop style I believe are more South American as I do not see them in Mexico or Central America so much. The cutlass style in the bottom of the photo I believe is middle to late 19th and is more Caribbean than Mexican as there are a few examples with Fedderson, Willink Co. blades and the grips have a distinct Cubano flare. I do love these Spanish Colonial blades and the more I see the more distinct the different hilt styles and blades styles become.Eric

Sorry my photos were to large and did not load. My apologies

[fernando]

Welcome to the forum, Eric .

[Belizechopper]

Sorry if I double post but trying my hand at resizing photos. The cutlass style espada in the bottom of third photo I think is more Caribbean than Mexican as some I have seen utilize Fedderson Willink blades and also would indicate mid 19th sword. The bone grip with the forward quillions is very similar in styling to mine with cross hatched bone and forward of guard quillion piece. Mine was purchased in Mexico City. The San Louis Potosi usually have the later type straighter blades, pre machete style. These espada seem easier to date with blade style than hilt as old and new parts are often together. Juan recently showed me photos of a mid 18th century Spanish Dragoon sword with straight forte and sweeping upturned up foible which could be the inspiration for the early blacksmith type blades from that period. These are very interesting swords.

[drac2k]

What a beauty and a great sword.Do you think the scabbard is newer than the sword ?

[Belizechopper]

The Cutlass style espada in the bottom of third photo is I believe a mid 19th century type more Caribbean than Mexican and some I have seen utilize Fedderson, Willink Co. blades while all use blades similar to US m1860. It is good to see another example of a bone grip with the forward quillions also. They are very unusual. Espada anchas are hard to date as parts were reused for years with newer hilts or blades. I believe the best dating can be accomplished by the blade type. The standard blacksmith made sash langet with flat blade and upturned foible commonly dated 1740 to 1780 possibly styled after Spanish Dragoon sabers ca. 1750 with straight forte and upturned foible but if so would move start date 10 years. The San Louis Potosi styles typically utilize the straighter shorter blades associated with early 19th. These are most facinating swords and can be grouped into very specific styles even if unique to them selves. The round tangs with finger loops seem to come up more in South American context than Mexico or Northern provinces.

[kronckew]

my sword's scabbard is in excellent condition, one of the narrow fringes has broken in half, the leather was fairly dry and the bringe a bit cracking and brittle until i oiled it, now reasonably flexible. i have a few early 20th/late 19th c. leather scabbards in as good condition. my spanish american war spanish recurved 1895 artillery sword scabbard is in similar condition. i do not know if the scabbard was made/issued like that or if it is a later replacement. it does fit the blade exactly like it was made for it and has some age. the sword had some surface rust and i brass wire brushed it & treated it with tannic.