19th Century Spanish Colonial Sword

Jim McDougall · 27th February 2006, 11:36 PM

Hi Robert,
Thank you for responding to my post, and I'm glad the information is of some help. There a number of us who have long been very interested in Spanish colonial weapons, in my case those of early Mexico, especially the espada ancha. If you use the search feature here, using the headings Filipino, Philippines and Insurrection you will find a number of interesting swords similar to yours. It seems some of the discussions go back at least several years. You might also view the outstanding article on the espada ancha written by Dr. Lee Jones as well.

Most of the Philippine weapons found today are 'bringbacks' from either the Spanish-American War or the later occupation of the Philippines in the early to mid 20th century. The Spanish colonial weapons of Mexico tend to date from the latter 18th century well into the 19th, with many examples much later, after the colonial period actually in the pre-Revolutionary period of latter 19th c.

In any case, it is fascinating to see the vast expanse of the Spanish sphere which extended from Spanish Morocco, to Cuba, via Mexico and as far as the Philippines. The diffusion and influences of weapons present many cases of the hybridization we are discussing.

All the best,
Jim

not2sharp · 28th February 2006, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Would it be proper or acceptable to replace the single strand wire wrap that is missing on the grip?

For me, it would probably look better as is. Adding new information to an obviously old text is more likely to create an eye sore then restore its original appearance. It leaves the observer with the task of determining that which is original from that which has been added or changed.

n2s

Battara · 28th February 2006, 07:34 PM

I would say replace the twisted brass wire as long as you patina it.

Robert · 1st March 2006, 02:37 AM

I would like to give my thanks to all of you who have posted so far for your help and opinions on this sword.

Robert

Ian · 3rd March 2006, 04:34 PM

Robert:

Spanish colonial influences in the Philippines obviously go back a long way. The sword you show looks late 19th C. to me, based on a number of similar knives and swords I have seen that appear to date from that period.

I agree with the suggestion that this one was probably made in Luzon because the tang goes through to the end of the hilt and is peened over. Probably from around the Manila area or a little to the north.

These Spanish colonial pieces come in various lengths, and below is a sword-length example that is probably from the late 19th C. also.

Ian.

Robert · 3rd March 2006, 09:12 PM

Ian,
Thank you for the information and for the beautifull example that that you posted.

Robert

Rick · 4th March 2006, 01:14 AM

Is it my imagination ; am I counting wrong ?
Don't these two swords each have an even number of waves !?
Four for Robert's ; ten for Ian's ?

//Or is it just because it's Friday night !?!

27th February 2006, 11:36 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Hi Robert, Thank you for responding to my post, and I'm glad the information is of some help. There a number of us who have long been very interested in Spanish colonial weapons, in my case those of early Mexico, especially the espada ancha. If you use the search feature here, using the headings Filipino, Philippines and Insurrection you will find a number of interesting swords similar to yours. It seems some of the discussions go back at least several years. You might also view the outstanding article on the espada ancha written by Dr. Lee Jones as well. Most of the Philippine weapons found today are 'bringbacks' from either the Spanish-American War or the later occupation of the Philippines in the early to mid 20th century. The Spanish colonial weapons of Mexico tend to date from the latter 18th century well into the 19th, with many examples much later, after the colonial period actually in the pre-Revolutionary period of latter 19th c. In any case, it is fascinating to see the vast expanse of the Spanish sphere which extended from Spanish Morocco, to Cuba, via Mexico and as far as the Philippines. The diffusion and influences of weapons present many cases of the hybridization we are discussing. All the best, Jim

28th February 2006, 07:34 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	I would say replace the twisted brass wire as long as you patina it.

1st March 2006, 02:37 AM	#4
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	I would like to give my thanks to all of you who have posted so far for your help and opinions on this sword. Robert

3rd March 2006, 04:34 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,396	Robert: Spanish colonial influences in the Philippines obviously go back a long way. The sword you show looks late 19th C. to me, based on a number of similar knives and swords I have seen that appear to date from that period. I agree with the suggestion that this one was probably made in Luzon because the tang goes through to the end of the hilt and is peened over. Probably from around the Manila area or a little to the north. These Spanish colonial pieces come in various lengths, and below is a sword-length example that is probably from the late 19th C. also. Ian.

3rd March 2006, 09:12 PM	#6
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Ian, Thank you for the information and for the beautifull example that that you posted. Robert

4th March 2006, 01:14 AM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Is it my imagination ; am I counting wrong ? Don't these two swords each have an even number of waves !? Four for Robert's ; ten for Ian's ? //Or is it just because it's Friday night !?!