The Espada Ancha-

[Jim McDougall]

This is an example of espada ancha that has been claimed to be of San Luis Potosi/ Guanajuato regions (just northeast of Mexico city). This is noted in "The Unique Swords of Old Mexico" (Bill Adams, "knives '85" , DBI Books, 1984.).

These hilts are distinctive for overall metal hilt with downturned pommel which nearly meets the half knucklebow. Many of these have zoomorphic terminals.
The Potosi region was closely connected to caravan trails northward from Mexico City to the Frontera regions of Arizona and into Santa Fe, N.M.
This one was found in Tucson.

Note the uptick and sharp point on the blade, which seems to have become notable in early 19th c.on these 'machetes'.

[Jim McDougall]

This is a form known as a 'round tang' espada, as per Adams, (1984, op. cit.). as it is stated the hilt, typically wood or horn, is drilled out to receive the tang. This seems unusual as some of these seem to have cut down saber blades but the tangs could have been ground.

The branched guards it seems I was once told were termed gavillas (Sp. -sheaves, of wheat), and this form seems of probably first quarter 19th c.

[Jim McDougall]

In keeping with what I have asked here, I am going through old notes (Ive been on this topic since early 90s and earlier) and am trying to add what I can to the examples I have.

This example was located in Houston some years ago, and said to be from the Nuevo Laredo region. (#3 from top in OP).
This is of course the famed Laredo, Texas which is right on the Rio Grande.
As a settlement of New Spain, it was founded in 1755 as Villa de San Agustin de Laredo. This was named for the city of Laredo in Cantabria, Spain.

In 1840 this became the capital of the Independent Republic of Rio Grande which was in opposition to Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.
In 1846 it was occupied by Texas Rangers, and later Laredo became Texas territory, while Nuevo Laredo in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas was across the Rio Grande .

What is noticeable is the familiar uptick at the point of these 19th c. espadas which I was told in conversations in 2003 with Enrique Guerrera of Texas, was responsible for these on the frontiers being called 'frog stickers'.

Also notable is the artwork inscribed in the blade, which I am hoping might compare to other material culture regionally and give us more on regional attribution.

[Jim McDougall]

This example is extremely heavy and seems an earlier form, of 18th c. and is said to be from New Mexico, so presumably Santa Fe regions. Note the detail in the guard and the elaborate engraved panel along blade back. This seems like the example from Nuevo Laredo which is however much later in my view.
The convention of this inscribed art along the blade hopefully might give more insights into this convention.

The bone grip slabs are riveted directly to tang and these heavy blades seem to have been forged by blacksmiths in these areas.

[Hotspur]

...and Eric Fairbanks addition at SFI
http://www.swordforum.com/vb4/showth...3-Espada-ancha

The pdf mentioned by Javier Ramos and among other links are fascinating reading

https://publicaciones.defensa.gob.es...s-de-cuera.pdf

https://www.geografiainfinita.com/20...t-era-espanol/

http://kappostorias.blogspot.com/201...0-apaches.html

Cheers
GC

[Jim McDougall]

Interesting.
Actually the 'espada ancha' (in period termed machete) was indeed worn 'on the trail' by horsemen, both civilian as well as soldados.
The machete was never intended as a combative weapon though it certainly could have been in situations.

The soldado's primary weapon was his lance, though in some cases swords might have been worn, as well as a firearms, typically the escopeta or pistols in some cases. The sword was considered not particularly effective in fighting the Indian tribes. The machete was the edged weapon most commonly carried by soldados on the trail. In the presidios they did wear swords, usually of bilbo form.

The espada ancha did later begin receiving the dragoon blades when the sword began being placed under the saddle in civilian cases. While in some cases the hilts were of the 'espada ancha' form (see the example I term Californio for the Avila comparison) mostly they were on cavalry form hilts c. 1805-10.

While the espada ancha was developing in the regions of New Spain in the Caribbean and throughout what is now Mexico (possibly the hilts derived from hangers and cutlasses used on vessels) ....California was not settled until 1769 (San Diego) and then only sparsely. So the period of evolution in Alta California for the espada ancha.

The arming sword known as the bilbo (two shell guard) was most commonly used by military in New Spain in the frontier regions and most of northwest Mexico. The 'cup hilt' forms seem to have been more prevalent in the Caribbean and Spains colonies there in coastal areas.
As always there were of course exceptions, but nominally.

While swords might have been dismantled to preserve heirloom blades, in most cases there were considerable volumes of blades being sent to the colonies to either remount swords or for newly produced hilts.
Large bundles of sword blades of various forms, but mostly the double edged broadsword blades in use through the 18th c.

The attached are examples of the 'cavalry' hilts that began being mounted with these 18th century straight broadsword dragoon blades in the early 19th century, seen being worn under the saddle and left leg as in this painting by James Walker of a vaquero. It is believed this was Don Peralta,the sword shows the branched guard.
The one with dragoon blade and espada ancha hilt with leaf shaped shell on crossguard is as previously discussed similar to the Avila sword c. 1831 Los Angeles. It is noted on the Avila sword, the blade is much earlier.

Thank you for the links. The information on the presidios does give good information regionally on where these types of weapons may have evolved. Now if we can find provenance with examples.