Markings or Decorations on Mexican Swords

Jim McDougall · 20th November 2006, 01:19 AM

Hi Matt,
Sorry for the absence, busy week!!
On Solingen makers, one of the best resources would probably be Richard Bezdek's book on German swordsmiths. The one I use is "Sword and Bayonet Makers of Imperial Germany 1871-1918" (John Walter, 1973).

I came across an interesting item in a rather unusually titled book, "Jumbos Hide, Elvis' Ride and Tooth of Buddha" (Harvey Rachlin, N.Y.2000) which sounds like the title for a really, really bad B-movie! Actually the book is an extremely interesting collection of information on historical relics and artifacts that was the basis for the program, "Americas Lost and Found".

On p.152 is an article titled "The Battle Sword of Colonel Najera".
It concerns the Mexican-American War and an unusual 'duel' which took place during battle on Sept. 21,1846 near Monterrey, Mexico. Apparantly Col. John C. Hays (Texas Rangers fame) was challenged by Col. Juan N.Najera of the Jalisco Cavalry (Gen. Manuel Romeros brigade of Lancers). In the combat, where Najera was killed, both men had swords drawn. The sabre was later retrieved and held by Hays' family, eventually ending up in the Gene Autry Museum of Western Heritage near Los Angeles.

The sabre looks remarkably the same as yours, and its blade has the same three fuller blade we have discussed. This is simply further support for the provenance of Mexican sabres from that war becoming property of U.S. forces , many of whom became Confederate officers in later years. The Confederates often even advertised for weapons to add to thier arsenals, from any sources available.

Hope you will find this added information interesting

All the best,
Jim

20th November 2006, 01:19 AM	#12
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,459	Hi Matt, Sorry for the absence, busy week!! On Solingen makers, one of the best resources would probably be Richard Bezdek's book on German swordsmiths. The one I use is "Sword and Bayonet Makers of Imperial Germany 1871-1918" (John Walter, 1973). I came across an interesting item in a rather unusually titled book, "Jumbos Hide, Elvis' Ride and Tooth of Buddha" (Harvey Rachlin, N.Y.2000) which sounds like the title for a really, really bad B-movie! Actually the book is an extremely interesting collection of information on historical relics and artifacts that was the basis for the program, "Americas Lost and Found". On p.152 is an article titled "The Battle Sword of Colonel Najera". It concerns the Mexican-American War and an unusual 'duel' which took place during battle on Sept. 21,1846 near Monterrey, Mexico. Apparantly Col. John C. Hays (Texas Rangers fame) was challenged by Col. Juan N.Najera of the Jalisco Cavalry (Gen. Manuel Romeros brigade of Lancers). In the combat, where Najera was killed, both men had swords drawn. The sabre was later retrieved and held by Hays' family, eventually ending up in the Gene Autry Museum of Western Heritage near Los Angeles. The sabre looks remarkably the same as yours, and its blade has the same three fuller blade we have discussed. This is simply further support for the provenance of Mexican sabres from that war becoming property of U.S. forces , many of whom became Confederate officers in later years. The Confederates often even advertised for weapons to add to thier arsenals, from any sources available. Hope you will find this added information interesting All the best, Jim