Spanish sword

Jim McDougall · 24th January 2024, 01:51 PM

It seems that vestigial presence of certain elements on sword hilts is commonly found especially in transitional situations as forms evolved. Case in point of course are the distinct pas d'ane (a notably disputed term) rings in the familiar small sword hilts later in the 18th century. By this time their use had become more 'decorative' and their common everyday wear had all but waned, and their use not as likely. Thus the familiar 'rings devolved from their pragmatic purpose.

There seems to have of course been notable cross diffusion of sword forms and elements between Spain and Italy, of course given the provincial status of these regions in Italy as Victrix notes, It is of course well known that remarkable numbers of the 'Spanish' cup hilt were actually with Italian made hilts.
With all the traffic of arms, influences and elements of the weapons back and forth it does not seem unusual that an example of the notably Spanish form ubiquitous there and in Spanish colonies would turn up indeed in North Italy, just as Fernando has suggested.

It seems to me that this sword, clearly of the 'bilbo' (familiarly 'boca de caballo') generic, might will have been produced in Italy using either a Spanish blade, or as commonly the case one using spurious markings. There are cases, though not as common, of Spanish blades occurring in Italian contexts.

While the rompepuntas on this sword is clearly a decorative embellishment which is virtually never present on most Spanish 'bilbo' type swords, perhaps this example was fashioned with the notable feature from the long favored cup hilt with that traditional recognition. The cup hilt is of course known to have remained in favor as THE chosen Spanish sword long after other lighter forms (small swords) were becoming popular.

While I would typically think of the cup hilt as a fencing/dueling choice and the 'bilbo' as more of an arming sword more for typical combat, it seems I have heard from some well versed in fencing note that sometimes these bilbos are often well balanced and light enough to effectively carry out the scheduled moves prescribed in some degree. Clearly this would not likely be 'textbook' application, but a swordsman recalling the tenets of 'destreza' would inherently use a sword accordingly. If nothing else, the 'rompepuntas' on these examples of bilbo may be no more than a wistful nod to the beloved Spanish cuphilt. The examples shown by Victrix indicate this is hardly a 'one off' case.

Possibly this might have some tenuous connection in explaining the unusual character of this example?

24th January 2024, 01:51 PM	#14
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,191	It seems that vestigial presence of certain elements on sword hilts is commonly found especially in transitional situations as forms evolved. Case in point of course are the distinct pas d'ane (a notably disputed term) rings in the familiar small sword hilts later in the 18th century. By this time their use had become more 'decorative' and their common everyday wear had all but waned, and their use not as likely. Thus the familiar 'rings devolved from their pragmatic purpose. There seems to have of course been notable cross diffusion of sword forms and elements between Spain and Italy, of course given the provincial status of these regions in Italy as Victrix notes, It is of course well known that remarkable numbers of the 'Spanish' cup hilt were actually with Italian made hilts. With all the traffic of arms, influences and elements of the weapons back and forth it does not seem unusual that an example of the notably Spanish form ubiquitous there and in Spanish colonies would turn up indeed in North Italy, just as Fernando has suggested. It seems to me that this sword, clearly of the 'bilbo' (familiarly 'boca de caballo') generic, might will have been produced in Italy using either a Spanish blade, or as commonly the case one using spurious markings. There are cases, though not as common, of Spanish blades occurring in Italian contexts. While the rompepuntas on this sword is clearly a decorative embellishment which is virtually never present on most Spanish 'bilbo' type swords, perhaps this example was fashioned with the notable feature from the long favored cup hilt with that traditional recognition. The cup hilt is of course known to have remained in favor as THE chosen Spanish sword long after other lighter forms (small swords) were becoming popular. While I would typically think of the cup hilt as a fencing/dueling choice and the 'bilbo' as more of an arming sword more for typical combat, it seems I have heard from some well versed in fencing note that sometimes these bilbos are often well balanced and light enough to effectively carry out the scheduled moves prescribed in some degree. Clearly this would not likely be 'textbook' application, but a swordsman recalling the tenets of 'destreza' would inherently use a sword accordingly. If nothing else, the 'rompepuntas' on these examples of bilbo may be no more than a wistful nod to the beloved Spanish cuphilt. The examples shown by Victrix indicate this is hardly a 'one off' case. Possibly this might have some tenuous connection in explaining the unusual character of this example?