Southwest/Mexican sword or early cutlass?

elfina · 2nd May 2012, 06:18 AM

Can anybody identify this sword for me and the approximate age? I bought it a year or so ago on eBay where the seller described it as an early cutlass (see the model ship in the background), but subsequent to that I saw a similar sword on a collector's forum identified as a Spanish colonial/Southwest/Mexican sword of local manufacture. I can't find the original discussion though. Along with the somewhat crude manufacture, the other distinguishing characteristic is the open (visible) sandwich structure of the hilt. The sword is 26 inches long, the blade is 22 inches, and the width of the blade at the hilt is 1 3/4 inches.

Jim McDougall · 2nd May 2012, 02:24 PM

Hi Elfina,
What you have here is an excellent example of a known but unusual form of the Spanish colonial 'espada ancha'. These with the hooked pommel seem to come from regions in northern Mexico rather than the more commonly seen forms from the frontier regions in New Mexico, Arizona and California as well as lower Texas.
These rugged swords were most commonly used by civilians and were actually heavy and cutlass like in order to handle clearing the tough chaparral and vegetation which is thick in the desert regions, and actually were forerunners of the machete.
This example appears to be from the earlier quarter of the 19th century, and the alternating quillons on the crossguard and central platform resemble weapons illustrated from some of the forces in the Mexican wars for independence (1810-1821). It seems I have seen similar hilts in recent projects involving that period.
Very nice example, and I would be happy to discuss more in detail if you will contact me privately.

All the best,
Jim

elfina · 3rd May 2012, 01:52 AM

Thank you very much Jim! I've been a member of the Forum for only a short week but I really feel I've already gotten more than my "money's worth", so to speak.

Eric

broadaxe · 3rd May 2012, 09:23 AM

That's a highly interesting espada ancha. What are the grips made of?

Jim McDougall · 3rd May 2012, 04:21 PM

Eric, working through the protocol right now will be in touch soon.
Jim

elfina · 3rd May 2012, 06:35 PM

The outside surfaces are metal, two inner ones are wood, and the very middle, consisting of the tang, is (of course) metal.

Matchlock · 3rd May 2012, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elfina

Thank you very much Jim! I've been a member of the Forum for only a short week but I really feel I've already gotten more than my "money's worth", so to speak.

Eric

That's what we are here for anyway!

m

Matchlock · 3rd May 2012, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by broadaxe

That's a highly interesting espada ancha. What are the grips made of?

They seem like iron to me? ...

m

M ELEY · 4th May 2012, 01:53 AM

Absolutely beautiful piece reflecting all the adventure and wildness of the Spanish colonial era! You should be proud! The grips on these are iron with either horn or wood sandwiched in the middle.

Jim McDougall · 4th May 2012, 04:15 AM

Eric, all is set so please send me a PM .
I forgot to point out that this distinct 'hooked' pommel is characteristic of knives and espada anchas from the Potosi regions north of Mexico City, but I have one which turned up in New Mexico. That is easily explained of course with the trade routes which travelled periodically to Santa Fe.

All the best,
Jim

2nd May 2012, 06:18 AM	#1
elfina Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 12	Southwest/Mexican sword or early cutlass? Can anybody identify this sword for me and the approximate age? I bought it a year or so ago on eBay where the seller described it as an early cutlass (see the model ship in the background), but subsequent to that I saw a similar sword on a collector's forum identified as a Spanish colonial/Southwest/Mexican sword of local manufacture. I can't find the original discussion though. Along with the somewhat crude manufacture, the other distinguishing characteristic is the open (visible) sandwich structure of the hilt. The sword is 26 inches long, the blade is 22 inches, and the width of the blade at the hilt is 1 3/4 inches. Attached Images

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2nd May 2012, 02:24 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,735	Hi Elfina, What you have here is an excellent example of a known but unusual form of the Spanish colonial 'espada ancha'. These with the hooked pommel seem to come from regions in northern Mexico rather than the more commonly seen forms from the frontier regions in New Mexico, Arizona and California as well as lower Texas. These rugged swords were most commonly used by civilians and were actually heavy and cutlass like in order to handle clearing the tough chaparral and vegetation which is thick in the desert regions, and actually were forerunners of the machete. This example appears to be from the earlier quarter of the 19th century, and the alternating quillons on the crossguard and central platform resemble weapons illustrated from some of the forces in the Mexican wars for independence (1810-1821). It seems I have seen similar hilts in recent projects involving that period. Very nice example, and I would be happy to discuss more in detail if you will contact me privately. All the best, Jim

3rd May 2012, 01:52 AM	#3
elfina Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 12	Thank you very much Jim! I've been a member of the Forum for only a short week but I really feel I've already gotten more than my "money's worth", so to speak. Eric

3rd May 2012, 09:23 AM	#4
broadaxe Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 332	That's a highly interesting espada ancha. What are the grips made of?

3rd May 2012, 04:21 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,735	Eric, working through the protocol right now will be in touch soon. Jim

3rd May 2012, 06:35 PM	#6
elfina Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 12	The outside surfaces are metal, two inner ones are wood, and the very middle, consisting of the tang, is (of course) metal.

4th May 2012, 01:53 AM	#9
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,066	Absolutely beautiful piece reflecting all the adventure and wildness of the Spanish colonial era! You should be proud! The grips on these are iron with either horn or wood sandwiched in the middle.

4th May 2012, 04:15 AM	#10
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,735	Eric, all is set so please send me a PM . I forgot to point out that this distinct 'hooked' pommel is characteristic of knives and espada anchas from the Potosi regions north of Mexico City, but I have one which turned up in New Mexico. That is easily explained of course with the trade routes which travelled periodically to Santa Fe. All the best, Jim