Link from pappenheimer to boca-de-caballo hilt

M ELEY · 26th October 2021, 05:34 PM

Very nice piece! Not an expert, but I think this would be classified as a 'Spanish colonial' broadsword of provincial manufacture. Very similar to the Spanish colonial Caribbean rapiers and bilbos (sorry, we know this isn't the correct term, but has become so mainstream, it's easier just to use it!) coming out of the Americas. I base this on the the undecorated state of the blade and guard, the relative primativeness of the decoration, the mushroom-shaped plain pommel and most importantly, the shape/assemblage of the knucklebow and quillon, so similar to Central American/Caribbean espadas. Note the snake shaped downward quillon on this espada and the D-shaped flat-sided knuckle bow on this provincial bilbo...

cornelistromp · 26th October 2021, 06:13 PM

I believe it is second half of the 18thc spanish bilbo sword for the cavalry.

best,

midelburgo · 26th October 2021, 10:46 PM

These are Brescian rapiers from the second half of the XVIIth century. Civilian weapons very common in Spanish museums. Spaecially those eith the dog/lion decoration.

midelburgo · 26th October 2021, 10:50 PM

And these are military cavalry swords with Brescian hilts from the second half of XVIIth century. The one with the motto has been rehilted with a blade of about 1775. The group of three is from Segovia Alcazar.

midelburgo · 26th October 2021, 10:58 PM

And this is a sort of German sword from where I believe the Brescian hilt evolved. Possibly c1630.

I believe next one is an early Brescia from 1640-1650.

midelburgo · 26th October 2021, 11:12 PM

And these are munition swords imitating the Brescian style. Possibly used in the navy and now known as colonial swords. They are usually short, for combat on foot. Cheap blades. Probably early to middle XVIIIth century.

midelburgo · 26th October 2021, 11:28 PM

Boca-de-caballo swords (known often as bilboes) are easier to build. Instead of a single forged piece, something difficult to make and that rarely you see in replicas even today, they have two pieces bound by screws.

Originally two screws, with the result of many hilts broken at the weakened union of the two shells. They were around before the 1728 model was defined. Later 4 screws.

Then from 1761 on the pieces with the four screws were made as a frame, much stronger. The 1728 model became completely standardized by a new ordonance that year, about the same time Toledo factory started working

Quillons are usually twisted because seated on horseback were easy to entangle in the horse furniture. Many swords have had their quillons straightened in later years by collectors.

So my Canary sword precedes the 1728 model, and it is an interesting step in its evolution. Spain lost most of its Italian territories, including Milan in 1706. Possibly Brescia weapons stopped being delivered then.

26th October 2021, 05:34 PM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,211	Very nice piece! Not an expert, but I think this would be classified as a 'Spanish colonial' broadsword of provincial manufacture. Very similar to the Spanish colonial Caribbean rapiers and bilbos (sorry, we know this isn't the correct term, but has become so mainstream, it's easier just to use it!) coming out of the Americas. I base this on the the undecorated state of the blade and guard, the relative primativeness of the decoration, the mushroom-shaped plain pommel and most importantly, the shape/assemblage of the knucklebow and quillon, so similar to Central American/Caribbean espadas. Note the snake shaped downward quillon on this espada and the D-shaped flat-sided knuckle bow on this provincial bilbo... Attached Images Last edited by M ELEY; 27th October 2021 at 12:06 AM.

26th October 2021, 10:46 PM	#3
midelburgo Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 290	These are Brescian rapiers from the second half of the XVIIth century. Civilian weapons very common in Spanish museums. Spaecially those eith the dog/lion decoration. Attached Images Last edited by midelburgo; 27th October 2021 at 12:11 AM.

26th October 2021, 10:50 PM	#4
midelburgo Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 290	And these are military cavalry swords with Brescian hilts from the second half of XVIIth century. The one with the motto has been rehilted with a blade of about 1775. The group of three is from Segovia Alcazar. Attached Images Last edited by midelburgo; 27th October 2021 at 12:13 AM.

26th October 2021, 10:58 PM	#5
midelburgo Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 290	And this is a sort of German sword from where I believe the Brescian hilt evolved. Possibly c1630. I believe next one is an early Brescia from 1640-1650. Attached Images Last edited by midelburgo; 26th October 2021 at 11:58 PM.

26th October 2021, 11:12 PM	#6
midelburgo Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 290	And these are munition swords imitating the Brescian style. Possibly used in the navy and now known as colonial swords. They are usually short, for combat on foot. Cheap blades. Probably early to middle XVIIIth century. Attached Images Last edited by midelburgo; 26th October 2021 at 11:46 PM.

26th October 2021, 06:13 PM	#2
cornelistromp Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,064	I believe it is second half of the 18thc spanish bilbo sword for the cavalry. best,

26th October 2021, 11:28 PM	#7
midelburgo Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 290	Boca-de-caballo swords (known often as bilboes) are easier to build. Instead of a single forged piece, something difficult to make and that rarely you see in replicas even today, they have two pieces bound by screws. Originally two screws, with the result of many hilts broken at the weakened union of the two shells. They were around before the 1728 model was defined. Later 4 screws. Then from 1761 on the pieces with the four screws were made as a frame, much stronger. The 1728 model became completely standardized by a new ordonance that year, about the same time Toledo factory started working Quillons are usually twisted because seated on horseback were easy to entangle in the horse furniture. Many swords have had their quillons straightened in later years by collectors. So my Canary sword precedes the 1728 model, and it is an interesting step in its evolution. Spain lost most of its Italian territories, including Milan in 1706. Possibly Brescia weapons stopped being delivered then. Attached Images Last edited by midelburgo; 27th October 2021 at 12:35 AM.