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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 75
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Good afternoon all, I am looking for information on a Spanish sword smith that signed "Andres Martinez". Does anyone know of other examples of his work, any details about his career, or what years he was active? I was able to match the name and marking on a particular sword of interest to one of the Toledo armory catalogues (Andres Martinez) but have not been able to find much additional information besides the fact he is the "son of Zabala (de Garata)" which is not super helpful as there seems to be a younger and an elder by the Zabala name. Would love to hear any thoughts y'all might have.
Best, Michael |
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#2 |
Lead Moderator European Armoury
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Portugal
Posts: 9,694
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Welcome to the forum, Michael
![]() Note that this is not 100% exact. It is known that the Palomares nomina contains a few inconsistencies. One thing we know as certain is that of JUAN MARTINEZ, that was active at an early stage, as listed in Lhermite's work (end XVI century), whose marks he describes are precisely the ones shown nowadays out there. Yet in Palomares nomina we can find not right name neither his full marks, which i suspect is listed in the table as JUAN MARTIN (39). Confusing indeed ![]() Other members will know more about this riddle. . Last edited by fernando; 23rd March 2023 at 06:22 PM. |
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#3 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 75
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I greatly appreciate the information Fernando, I never even considered that the two Juan Martinez's might not be related. Would also love to know what the meaning behind the words "Garata" and "Zabala" are.
And for completeness sake I've attached the rest of the photos I have. Just based on my amateur knowledge it looks like this is probably a composite sword. Or maybe not, I've been looking at so many of these that they are starting to blend together. The total length is 48 inches. I believe the reverse side of the blade reads "En Toledo Me Fecit". I had not even noticed the tiny anchor in the last photo until uploading these images. |
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#4 |
Lead Moderator European Armoury
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Portugal
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Are you sure it says EN TOLED ME FECIT ? Not a good sign. These "me fecit" inscritions are more seen in Solingen blades; you know, "Solingen me fecit" or "me fecit Solingen"
![]() Can you take a closer picture ? |
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#5 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 75
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Now you have me worried. It's definitely Toledo. I don't have it on hand to give a better photo.
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#6 |
Lead Moderator European Armoury
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Portugal
Posts: 9,694
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No reason to worry, Michael. I reckon i was premature. This Latin inscription also appears in Toledan swords; maybe not so often, but it does. The smith marks in this blade are reprehensible. No doubt this is a genuine blade.
Whether the hilt is not from the period, hopefuly more knowledgeable members will pop in and give their impression. |
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