The Espada Ancha Myth

[kronckew]

I've always thought of this one as my espada ancha:

[Jim McDougall]

Hey Wayne, thank you for responding!
Thats a nice example, and in that configuration it could well be considered one, after all these utility oriented swords (machete) were found in countless variations. In Levine (1985) these kinds of ring over the cross quillon and similar type grip are noted as 'Central American dirks'. Here that type hilt is mounted with a machete type blade, and these were well known throughout the Spanish Main through the 19th c.

Great scabbard, and of the excellent leather work typically found in Mexico through the 19th c. as well.

[fernando]

Very nice example, Wayne .

[kronckew]

Thanks, it's high on my list of favourites.

[M ELEY]

Indeed a nice Spanish colonial sword! You can see that this blade certainly was both a weapon and a tool. It would be perfect for hacking through brush, splitting a cactus or...well, I'll leave the weapon part to your imagination! A great piece for one's collection!

[Jim McDougall]

Thank you for coming in on this Capn!'
This truly is a great example of how many forms of hilt were used on these heavy blades, which as pointed out in my paper, were actually termed 'machete' in period, and actually even in Mexican regions into modern times(Woodward, 1946).

As you have perfectly noted ,
The espada ancha forms with hanger type hilts (or other as seen here) were intended for use in utilitarian purposes such as brushing trails and other use involving heavy vegetation. Their only use as a weapon was the as same kind of 'weapon of opportunity' in brawls or perhaps attacks by Native American tribes if other weapons not usable, where any number of tool forms might have been used.

For me the fascination with these is that though most are of a basic type hilt form with the expected variations reflecting certain decoration and elements favored by the local artisan producing it. .....the huge numbers of anomalies present exciting challenges in identification.

[werecow]

I thought I'd leave this here as he shows one of the types of swords described in Jim's article with the hanger hilt and the multi-fullered broadsword blade (3:47 onward):

https://youtu.be/Q9qA1p_f9qw?t=227