Keith, thank you for posting this interesting conundrum!
As we have discussed, it seems that the Spanish rapier blades of the 16th century remained in favor for virtually generations after the demise of Toledo in the mid 17th century. By about the 1630s, the innovative machine of Solingen was producing blades spuriously marked with markings and names of famed earlier makers of Toledo. These were mostly broadsword blades and others, but included the thin thrusting blades common to the Spanish rapier.
The Spanish swordsman was known for the mysterious, geometrical and occult oriented system of fence known as DESTREZA, commonly referred to in fencing references as 'the Spanish fight'. By the end of the 17th century, the beloved cup hilt rapiers of Spain were giving way to a smaller, lighter and faster sword for fencing regarded primarily as a French innovation though it as well known across Europe.
The 'French' style of fencing primarily based on the 'smallsword' became dominant through the 18th century. The Spaniards, in the Peninsula largely adopted the French manner and of course the swords, nominally.
However, in the colonies in the Americas outside the direct influence of the Spanish courts in the Peninsula, the traditional elements of destreza remained very much in practice.
The strong hold to Castilian tradition remained in place in the Americas well through the 18th century into the 19th,
In the latter 17th century, the Solingen made blades for various types of swords were shipped in volume to the Americas and certainly well into the 18th, the double edged rapier blades were profoundly in these numbers.
In recent years, the wreck of a Spanish nao was found off Panama with many crates of these raoier blades, and had gone down in 1681. These raoier blades had continually been exported into the Americas literally for generations, and were regarded as 'TOLEDO' blades (for the familiar markings) despite typically being of Solingen production. Attached photo of one of these blades.
In the Americas, well into the 1800s, officers and those of high station used the now familiar small sword, however rather than the typical trefoil blade used in most European versions, Spaniards preferred the traditional TOLEDO blade. This is well noted in "Spanish Military Weapons in Colonial America 1700-1821 (Brinckerhoff & Chamberlain , 1972). where three of these swords, stated origin MEXICO clearly with small sword hilts and TOLEDO blades. These date end of 18th century.
While these examples are from the colonies (i.e. Mexico) and likely mounted with blades long already in these regions, possibly either stored or long in circulation, they do in degree reflect the propensity for Spaniards preferring their traditional rapier blades.
In my own experience, I must agree to not having seen examples of any Iberian smallswords or court swords which were mounted with the type blades (trefoil or colichemarde) characteristically on the European (or American ) versions. Obviously there will likely be exceptions, however I agree that 'typically' the earlier form of Spanish rapier blade prevailed on Spanish swords, as well it seems even on some English swords.
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