Mexican Presentation Sword?

M ELEY · 8th November 2008, 03:57 AM

Bolo-style blades on Mexican/S American swords and bayonets seemed to have started around the turn of the century. The Argintine bolo-blade bayonet circa WWII comes to mind. Indeed, a nice find, but I'm inclined to believe that it's tourist (but higher grade than most). When you see "Made in...", its post 20th century. The fact that these words are in English seems to support tourist as well. Interestingly, you do see a lot of roosters/chicken hilted swords from down this way (A Brazilian police sword I used to own had a side image of a crowing rooster on the pommel)...BUT then again, is this hilt a parrot? I always found these bolo blades fascinating and they kind of remind me of fascine knives from the American Revolution onward, kind of "lumpy" blades.

celtan · 8th November 2008, 10:58 PM

It's certainly touristy.

Probably from Veracruz.

Bolos descend from the pre-roman spanish falcatas and greek-carthagininan kopis. The Argentinian Bolo follows the tradition of the 1898 Spanish bayonets. used way too effectively by the Legion in Spanish Marruecos.

BTW Eley, ...turn of last (XX) century, or 19th?

: )

Sorry, couldn't resist! just kiddin'.

Time doth passes...

Best

M

Quote:

Originally Posted by M ELEY

Bolo-style blades on Mexican/S American swords and bayonets seemed to have started around the turn of the century. The Argintine bolo-blade bayonet circa WWII comes to mind. Indeed, a nice find, but I'm inclined to believe that it's tourist (but higher grade than most). When you see "Made in...", its post 20th century. The fact that these words are in English seems to support tourist as well. Interestingly, you do see a lot of roosters/chicken hilted swords from down this way (A Brazilian police sword I used to own had a side image of a crowing rooster on the pommel)...BUT then again, is this hilt a parrot? I always found these bolo blades fascinating and they kind of remind me of fascine knives from the American Revolution onward, kind of "lumpy" blades.

M ELEY · 9th November 2008, 05:44 AM

Arrr! You got me there, Celtan. Keep forgetting we're in the 21st now. Definately getting old!
Even though its a tourist piece, this sword does kind of grow on you, particularly the parrot? hilt. Interesting that the decoration seems to depict a more S. American scene. Are those llamas?

kronckew · 9th November 2008, 06:28 AM

i initially passed on this item due to the english 'made in' marking, but it grew on me, the hilt & guard especially looked better made than most tourista junk (that looped lower guard was familiar somehow, but i can't place it), so i risked a small bid, about an hours pay & won it... i'll either consign it to the OOPS drawer or not depending on the blade dimensions and detailing when it arrives. i'll also bill my client an extra hour for working on an email they sent me yesterday

a number of interesting example illustrations i found googling for mexican weapons:

Billed as found near a well known east texas battle that occurred in 1836...

this style may be earlier than prev. mentioned. for scale, this has a 27 in. blade, an inch longer than mine. the perspective of the photo makes it look longer than it appears.

from the forum:

from therion for illustration:

i note that this was described as a 'duck-billed' blade style.

celtan · 9th November 2008, 07:35 AM

The design is certainly very attractive overall, and the blade is wicked, wouldn't like to face one on the downstroke.

As far as I know, there are no llamas in Mexico, but it might be copying an andean motif, or the animals might be some equine breed. Mules, donkeys, horses, polticians?

: )

Best

Manuel

kronckew · 9th November 2008, 07:55 AM

the animals on the blade in the photo appear to be equine to me, llamas do not have long tails.

horses tend to have them tho.

the palm trees in the etching also are not very andian.

ausjulius · 9th November 2008, 06:14 PM

it is a typical machete sword from mexico.
this style is quite common , recently ive seen quite alot of older versions being sold on ebay..

typicaly the blade has a pointed tip and is sharp for about 20cm along the back of the edge, the swords come in sheaths in the style of a machete not in a typical sword sheath.

yours would have to be dated as a product of the last 70 years.. older ones are not normaly saying mad in mexico..and the etching it ushaly of a different style

9th November 2008, 06:28 AM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	i initially passed on this item due to the english 'made in' marking, but it grew on me, the hilt & guard especially looked better made than most tourista junk (that looped lower guard was familiar somehow, but i can't place it), so i risked a small bid, about an hours pay & won it... i'll either consign it to the OOPS drawer or not depending on the blade dimensions and detailing when it arrives. i'll also bill my client an extra hour for working on an email they sent me yesterday a number of interesting example illustrations i found googling for mexican weapons: Billed as found near a well known east texas battle that occurred in 1836... this style may be earlier than prev. mentioned. for scale, this has a 27 in. blade, an inch longer than mine. the perspective of the photo makes it look longer than it appears. from the forum: from therion for illustration: i note that this was described as a 'duck-billed' blade style. Last edited by kronckew; 9th November 2008 at 06:44 AM.

8th November 2008, 03:57 AM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Bolo-style blades on Mexican/S American swords and bayonets seemed to have started around the turn of the century. The Argintine bolo-blade bayonet circa WWII comes to mind. Indeed, a nice find, but I'm inclined to believe that it's tourist (but higher grade than most). When you see "Made in...", its post 20th century. The fact that these words are in English seems to support tourist as well. Interestingly, you do see a lot of roosters/chicken hilted swords from down this way (A Brazilian police sword I used to own had a side image of a crowing rooster on the pommel)...BUT then again, is this hilt a parrot? I always found these bolo blades fascinating and they kind of remind me of fascine knives from the American Revolution onward, kind of "lumpy" blades.

9th November 2008, 05:44 AM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Arrr! You got me there, Celtan. Keep forgetting we're in the 21st now. Definately getting old! Even though its a tourist piece, this sword does kind of grow on you, particularly the parrot? hilt. Interesting that the decoration seems to depict a more S. American scene. Are those llamas?

9th November 2008, 07:35 AM	#5
celtan Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PR, USA Posts: 679	The design is certainly very attractive overall, and the blade is wicked, wouldn't like to face one on the downstroke. As far as I know, there are no llamas in Mexico, but it might be copying an andean motif, or the animals might be some equine breed. Mules, donkeys, horses, polticians? : ) Best Manuel

9th November 2008, 07:55 AM	#6
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	the animals on the blade in the photo appear to be equine to me, llamas do not have long tails. horses tend to have them tho. the palm trees in the etching also are not very andian.

9th November 2008, 06:14 PM	#7
ausjulius Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: musorian territory Posts: 438	it is a typical machete sword from mexico. this style is quite common , recently ive seen quite alot of older versions being sold on ebay.. typicaly the blade has a pointed tip and is sharp for about 20cm along the back of the edge, the swords come in sheaths in the style of a machete not in a typical sword sheath. yours would have to be dated as a product of the last 70 years.. older ones are not normaly saying mad in mexico..and the etching it ushaly of a different style