The Espada Ancha-

[Jim McDougall]

JT, absolutely brilliantly written and outstanding documentation on these venerable Spanish arming swords. They are believed to have been around since reasonably early in the 17th century, possibly deriving in degree from the well known 'pappenheimer' swords of Northern Europe. With Spain in the Netherlands that seems quite likely.

Whatever the case as per the manner of military regulations, the regulations would establish a form of sword to become standard and these were typically those already in use, thus these became 1728.

Thank you very much for entering this!!!

[David R]

Many thanks for this. Very much a "live " subject.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by David R

Many thanks for this. Very much a "live " subject.

You bet David
It truly is, and while we have brought it up for many years around here, we still have barely scratched the surface. Granted there is not a huge number of enthusiasts in this field, but there is remarkable history in these, and they deserve more serious study.

There has only been one reference book and three articles ever written on these, and trying to establish any regional consistencies has fallen notably short of the goal.

My hope is that those out there holding examples might share them here as well as any observations, notes or provenance on them. This might give a good overview of this interesting form and toward some sort of regional distinction.

[Jim McDougall]

This is an example of the 'espada ancha' type hilt but mounted with one of the double edged dragoon blades typically found on the bilbo as well as the later cavalry hilt (three bar guard) sabers of c.1805+

This example dramatically parallels one like it with ornamented leaf shape shell guard which is in the Los Angeles County Museum and attributed to Captain Jose Maria Avila of the Pueblo of Los Angeles.

On Dec. 5, 1831 in a rebellion against Governor Manuel Victoria, Avila was leading rebel forces and met government forces at Lomitas de la Canada de Breita (near Cahuenga Pass).
Leading the government forces was Capt. Jose Antonio Romualdo Pacheco.
As components of both forces were related; brothers, cousins etc. none wanted to give battle.
In frustration, both Avila and Pacheco rode at each other with lances.
After three passes, Pacheco knocked Avilas lance to the ground.

Astonishingly, Avila shot Pacheco, killing him, and stunned at what he had done, sat dumbfounded in his saddle.
What happened next is confusing, some say Gov. Victoria shot Avila, others say another, but he was shot dead there on the field.

They say both men fought with swords and lances, but that remains unclear.

This example I have as noted is quite similar to what is known as the Avila sword, which is said to have been his and became property of Del Valle family, who donoted it and other to LA County Museum.

This information from "Swords of California and Mexico" Arthur Woodward,
'ANTIQUES MAGAZINE, Vol. L, 1946, pp.102-104

It is noted that while Avila had his sword in 1831 as per the museum catalog, it is believed much older late 18th c.
While the machete type (espada ancha) hilts were usually with short heavy blades, it is clear that rancheros had the longer dragoon blades fitted as these swords became mounted on saddles under mochilo.
Thus my example here would appear to fall into that category.

Illustrations of Cahuenga Pass area 1847; Pueblo of Los Angeles c. 1869; my example of espada of Californio form (by comparison to the Avila example) with bone grip late 18thc

[Jim McDougall]

This is an example of espada ancha that has been claimed to be of San Luis Potosi/ Guanajuato regions (just northeast of Mexico city). This is noted in "The Unique Swords of Old Mexico" (Bill Adams, "knives '85" , DBI Books, 1984.).

These hilts are distinctive for overall metal hilt with downturned pommel which nearly meets the half knucklebow. Many of these have zoomorphic terminals.
The Potosi region was closely connected to caravan trails northward from Mexico City to the Frontera regions of Arizona and into Santa Fe, N.M.
This one was found in Tucson.

Note the uptick and sharp point on the blade, which seems to have become notable in early 19th c.on these 'machetes'.

[Jim McDougall]

This is a form known as a 'round tang' espada, as per Adams, (1984, op. cit.). as it is stated the hilt, typically wood or horn, is drilled out to receive the tang. This seems unusual as some of these seem to have cut down saber blades but the tangs could have been ground.

The branched guards it seems I was once told were termed gavillas (Sp. -sheaves, of wheat), and this form seems of probably first quarter 19th c.

[Jim McDougall]

In keeping with what I have asked here, I am going through old notes (Ive been on this topic since early 90s and earlier) and am trying to add what I can to the examples I have.

This example was located in Houston some years ago, and said to be from the Nuevo Laredo region. (#3 from top in OP).
This is of course the famed Laredo, Texas which is right on the Rio Grande.
As a settlement of New Spain, it was founded in 1755 as Villa de San Agustin de Laredo. This was named for the city of Laredo in Cantabria, Spain.

In 1840 this became the capital of the Independent Republic of Rio Grande which was in opposition to Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.
In 1846 it was occupied by Texas Rangers, and later Laredo became Texas territory, while Nuevo Laredo in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas was across the Rio Grande .

What is noticeable is the familiar uptick at the point of these 19th c. espadas which I was told in conversations in 2003 with Enrique Guerrera of Texas, was responsible for these on the frontiers being called 'frog stickers'.

Also notable is the artwork inscribed in the blade, which I am hoping might compare to other material culture regionally and give us more on regional attribution.

[JT88]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

JT, absolutely brilliantly written and outstanding documentation on these venerable Spanish arming swords. They are believed to have been around since reasonably early in the 17th century, possibly deriving in degree from the well known 'pappenheimer' swords of Northern Europe. With Spain in the Netherlands that seems quite likely.

Whatever the case as per the manner of military regulations, the regulations would establish a form of sword to become standard and these were typically those already in use, thus these became 1728.

Thank you very much for entering this!!!

Thanks Jim, I find the 1728 a highly interesting model as it was the last gasp of the Spanish Empire into the pre-modern world. It's an incredible sword, probably the one I'd pick for an actual fight of all the blades in my collection.

Cheers

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by JT88

Thanks Jim, I find the 1728 a highly interesting model as it was the last gasp of the Spanish Empire into the pre-modern world. It's an incredible sword, probably the one I'd pick for an actual fight of all the blades in my collection.

Cheers

I agree, while its been over 40 years since I fenced, I know how important balance is, and these I have handled are typically remarkably balanced .
It seems no wonder they remained in service with Spanish military for nearly 150 years.