What swords might have been used at the Alamo battle?

[Jim McDougall]

LOL Fernando! At least they havent put in rides!
Still for Texans, we look through all the 'stuff' as this is still sacred ground, not only toward the defenders, but ALL the men who fell there.
Even the museums are as often the case, a bit 'embellished' , but again, for those deeply aware of Texas history, we see things accordingly.
Again, GREAT photos! I feel another visit coming, soon!

[Jim McDougall]

In post #2, with the excellent photos of some swords displayed at the Alamo museum, the bottom one is listed as a 'dragoon saber'.

While unclear on the intent of that classification, or any implication, I wonder if there was in mind the M1833 US Dragoon saber. There is of course a notable similarity, however the US M1833 was with brass hilt. While there were about 280 of these specifically to Texas (plus 18 to officers) they were not issued until after 1836 (when Texas became the Republic of Texas).

Then there is the more likely case that this is a Mexican 'dragoon' saber, with the distinctive langet with the branched guard, which was a French affectation favored in both US and Mexican swords.

Pages from "the American Sword 1775-1945", H.L.Peterson, 1973, the hilt is in brass, the rest of detail not relevant as the key point is the hilt with same kind of branched guard and langet in the museum example in post #2.

The 2nd image of the M1833 US Dragoon sword, in brass, no langet.

3rd, a Mexican (?) dragoon sword c. 1820s with Toledo blade....langets on branched guard, iron mounts.
* This is the most likely 'dragoon ' sword possible in Alamo context, but more likely with Mexican forces.

[Jim McDougall]

from "The American Sword 1775-1945". 1973, H.L.Peterson;
Note the Virginia (2nd Model) sword being considered, also the Nathan Starr saber of 1818, which were an altered version of the M1812 discussed. These may well have been included in the possibilities, however these would not have been among the War of 1812 surplus Nathan Starr sabers, which I think may have been possible for our context.

[kronckew]

Related:


George Hockley used a Starr sabre at San Jacinto, and Sam Houston's sword is in the Museum at the battle site. The weapons used at that decisive battle are shown HERE.


Additionally, Santa Anna's sword was captured, in the photo below. It certainly was at the Alamo. The other San Jacinto weapons would have been typical of those carried by the Texans, American and Mexican, who fought the Dictator for Independence.


The San Jacinto Battle site, Its Museum, and the nearby Battleship USS Texas (BB-35) are well worth visiting, and the traffic is probably a lot less than the Alamo. I passed by it many times while travelling between Houston & Galveston for my monthly & annual USCG Reserve duties..

[fernando]

Originally Posted by kronckew

...The San Jacinto Battle site, Its Museum, and the nearby Battleship USS Texas (BB-35) are well worth visiting, and the traffic is probably a lot less than the Alamo...

Yes indeed, Wayne. Visiting the Sky-High Monument and the Battleship were unforgettable experiences. Interesting, Museum too.

[Jim McDougall]

Thank you Wayne! Outstanding detail!!
Thats great abut George Hockley and his carrying a Starr saber at San Jacinto. He was a Colonel and apparently in command of the emplacement with the 'Twin Sisters', the cannon that provided decisive support in the battle.

This well illustrates the fact that many weapons found use in these campaigns, from many sources. I recall once someone in the museum in Austin asking why British M1821 sabers were found at San Jacinto.......these had clearly come with 'the package' as the huge volume of surplus British guns were sold to Mexico in 1820s. It is surprising that more 1796s didnt turn up .

Another item that seems to come up in these contexts are the M1832 foot artillery sword, a 'gladius' type brass hilt thing that was lousy as a weapon but used more as a tool. In post #2 (Fernando_) in the swords shown one is seen at top, and apparently cut down blade.

The San Jacinto 'Bowie' photos have one with turned back pommel (hook like). This seems to correspond to some espada anchas attributed to Potosi regions north of Mexico City (Adams, 1985).

One source notes that the relative scarcity of the Starr sabers is because of the 'Bowie' knife rage post Alamo, where many of these (along with numbers of full size swords) had blades cut down to become full hilted frontier knives.
This was undoubtedly of course the origin of the familiar "Confederate Bowie" with its hilt with knuckleguard.
Notice that it seems the M1832 brass hilt artillery swords were often cut down in this fashion.

Again, while we cannot be certain of what swords were in the hands of the defenders at the Alamo at that final seige in 1836, by seeing the assortment of assembled sword forms in circulation overall in these events during the Texian Rebellion gives us a good idea of what they might have been.

The first illustration: The British M1821 light cavalry saber. These branched hilts had become favored in Europe by this time, and Mexican sword hilts followed accordingly in the 1820s(see post #10).
Next" the brass hilt M1832 infantry/artillery sword, of gladius form following the neo classic French favor.
The 'Bowie' from San Jacinto.
The 'Potosi' form of espada ancha with turnback pommel (as included in my article on espada anchas (2023, Stockholm).

[Hotspur]

1830s U.S. militia. There were a great many 1826 Bavarian looking swords listed as Mexican and even some in the states. The sabres quite common but some straight, This one marked to Horstmann, in his new NYC shop. The unmarked brass dove head sabres quite ubiquitous. Eagles galore by the 1830s

A Starr 1818 nco at the top of the racks

Santa Anna's troops had briquet

Basically any sword made before the conflict might have been involved.

Cheers
GC