The Espada Ancha

Jim McDougall · 28th April 2024, 06:33 PM

HERE IS THE FULL ARTICLE: Courtesy of Staffan Kinman, Director, Swedish Arms Society, Livrustkammeren, Stockholm, 2023.

http://www.vikingsword.com/ethsword/...or Machete.pdf

M ELEY · 28th April 2024, 11:20 PM

This is truly an amazing article and I'm glad I got a copy of this article, Jim! Along with it's Spanish colonial theme, there is also one of maritime associations. As I've gone on about in the past (

), as the colonial Spanish governments in Central and South America began to fight for their independence ca 1800, the resurgence of piracy in the Caribbean swelled to the limits of the original Golden Age. Any short, chopping sword would have been highly valued aboard crowded privateers, so many of these 'espada' types likely saw sea service.

And here's my 'shell' hanger ca. 1780 to add to the pot of naval contenders!

M ELEY · 28th April 2024, 11:34 PM

And one to match Keith's-

Jim McDougall · 29th April 2024, 02:47 PM

Thank you so much Capn! What an incredible 'shell' that is!!!
Great insight into these types of cutlasses, and how key this is to the scope of the espada ancha, which of course evolved it seems from these types of swords used on vessels. The terminology is always a conundrum, essentially a heavy, relatively short bladed weapon is a 'cutlass' as used on a vessel.....but employed in utility use ashore becomes a 'machete'.

The machetes that became known as 'espada ancha' through an inadvertent mistranslation in the 1960s, thus creating a colloquial term for them, now firmly emplaced, are in effect machetes. (a machete by any other name is still a machete- Shakespeare?).

While the 'shell' that just entered my arms locker has its place among espada anchas.....I will post another thread for it under cutlass heading after a bit more research.

urbanspaceman · 29th April 2024, 04:37 PM

I don't know what I like best: the superb piercing on that very practical weapon or the magnificent table of 'Elm burr'?
ps
Notice the Feur de lys on the pommel cap Jim.

Jim McDougall · 29th April 2024, 06:44 PM

Yup Keith, just like the one cut down to a dirk!

Jim McDougall · 3rd May 2024, 02:36 AM

Capn,
In accord with post #14, it appears this shell guard hilt style is English c.1750 as per Nuemann (1973, p.83, 64.S).
It would seem this is virtually the same hilt form which likely circulated for some time, and seems favored for refurbishing cutlasses as might well be the case in supplying privateers and private merchant vessels.

While the shell is well known on many espada anchas, the theme is of course widely used on European hangers, including those regarded as cutlasses.
I have started a new thread with this cutlass today.

28th April 2024, 11:20 PM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	This is truly an amazing article and I'm glad I got a copy of this article, Jim! Along with it's Spanish colonial theme, there is also one of maritime associations. As I've gone on about in the past (), as the colonial Spanish governments in Central and South America began to fight for their independence ca 1800, the resurgence of piracy in the Caribbean swelled to the limits of the original Golden Age. Any short, chopping sword would have been highly valued aboard crowded privateers, so many of these 'espada' types likely saw sea service. And here's my 'shell' hanger ca. 1780 to add to the pot of naval contenders! Attached Images

28th April 2024, 11:34 PM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	And one to match Keith's- Attached Images

29th April 2024, 04:37 PM	#5
urbanspaceman Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Tyneside. North-East England Posts: 577	class act I don't know what I like best: the superb piercing on that very practical weapon or the magnificent table of 'Elm burr'? ps Notice the Feur de lys on the pommel cap Jim. Last edited by urbanspaceman; 29th April 2024 at 04:40 PM. Reason: added a ps

29th April 2024, 06:44 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,194	Yup Keith, just like the one cut down to a dirk! Attached Images

28th April 2024, 06:33 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,194	LINK TO ESPADA ANCHA ARTICLE IN FULL; HERE IS THE FULL ARTICLE: Courtesy of Staffan Kinman, Director, Swedish Arms Society, Livrustkammeren, Stockholm, 2023. http://www.vikingsword.com/ethsword/...or Machete.pdf Last edited by Lee; 28th April 2024 at 07:42 PM.

29th April 2024, 02:47 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,194	Thank you so much Capn! What an incredible 'shell' that is!!! Great insight into these types of cutlasses, and how key this is to the scope of the espada ancha, which of course evolved it seems from these types of swords used on vessels. The terminology is always a conundrum, essentially a heavy, relatively short bladed weapon is a 'cutlass' as used on a vessel.....but employed in utility use ashore becomes a 'machete'. The machetes that became known as 'espada ancha' through an inadvertent mistranslation in the 1960s, thus creating a colloquial term for them, now firmly emplaced, are in effect machetes. (a machete by any other name is still a machete- Shakespeare?). While the 'shell' that just entered my arms locker has its place among espada anchas.....I will post another thread for it under cutlass heading after a bit more research.

3rd May 2024, 02:36 AM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,194	Capn, In accord with post #14, it appears this shell guard hilt style is English c.1750 as per Nuemann (1973, p.83, 64.S). It would seem this is virtually the same hilt form which likely circulated for some time, and seems favored for refurbishing cutlasses as might well be the case in supplying privateers and private merchant vessels. While the shell is well known on many espada anchas, the theme is of course widely used on European hangers, including those regarded as cutlasses. I have started a new thread with this cutlass today.