Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Jim McDougall · 27th October 2015, 06:44 PM

You know what a weakness I have for these Barry! so I cannot resist saying something on this beautiful example

While my notes are not at hand, what I can recall is that this is a known but unusual form of the classic 'espada ancha', the often utilitarian frontier sword of Spain's new frontiers in Mexico.

While most of these short heavy bladed swords seem to follow hilt forms of earlier European hangers from 17th into hunting swords of 18th centuries, this unusual style it seems to me has been attributed to Potosi regions (Adams, 1985).While that I don't think can be exactly substantiated, I have seen these 'hook pommel' types in Northern Mexico/ New Mexico border region provenance. I think they can be set in the early years of the 1800s, but more 1830s I would think. The scabbard leather work resembles the type of scabbards from post revolution in 1820s.

While many espada anchas of the late 18th century often used the well known 'dragoon' type blades (usually with Spanish motto) these heavy and apparently blacksmith forged blades were I believe produced in frontier regions in the early to mid 19th century. Note the characteristic 'uptick' in the point of the blade. The zoomorphic pommel appears to be a snake, which is of course keenly observed in the lore and history of the country of Mexico.

I had not heard the 'espada corta' term used, and am curious on that note, though it is not particularly key.....the sword is outstanding!

27th October 2015, 06:44 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,100	You know what a weakness I have for these Barry! so I cannot resist saying something on this beautiful example While my notes are not at hand, what I can recall is that this is a known but unusual form of the classic 'espada ancha', the often utilitarian frontier sword of Spain's new frontiers in Mexico. While most of these short heavy bladed swords seem to follow hilt forms of earlier European hangers from 17th into hunting swords of 18th centuries, this unusual style it seems to me has been attributed to Potosi regions (Adams, 1985).While that I don't think can be exactly substantiated, I have seen these 'hook pommel' types in Northern Mexico/ New Mexico border region provenance. I think they can be set in the early years of the 1800s, but more 1830s I would think. The scabbard leather work resembles the type of scabbards from post revolution in 1820s. While many espada anchas of the late 18th century often used the well known 'dragoon' type blades (usually with Spanish motto) these heavy and apparently blacksmith forged blades were I believe produced in frontier regions in the early to mid 19th century. Note the characteristic 'uptick' in the point of the blade. The zoomorphic pommel appears to be a snake, which is of course keenly observed in the lore and history of the country of Mexico. I had not heard the 'espada corta' term used, and am curious on that note, though it is not particularly key.....the sword is outstanding!