Mexican court or officers sword c.1820s

M ELEY · 5th June 2025, 11:26 AM

Hi Jim and thanks for posting this incredible sword. I don't have much to add, unfortunately, other than to say I've always been fascinated by this type in particular that has the cup hilt under the guard/quillons. Sort of a 'double guard'. many years ago, I remember seeing one of these types listed as a 'Spanish colonial 'pirate' sword'. I used to think that might have been fanciful until I learned of the massive resurgence of piracy during the 1800-20 period in the Caribbean as a result of all the colonial Spanish colonies going into revolt/revolution. Numbers of pirates climbed into record numbers matching the so-called Golden Age, so why not? I'm sure these cutlass-types saw some action during this period-

urbanspaceman · 6th June 2025, 11:38 AM

Hey Jim, fascinating! Love the hilts, really curiously ornate, but eminently practical.
Where would the blades have been coming from... any idea?

Jim McDougall · 6th June 2025, 05:34 PM

Mark and Keith, thank you guys so much for answering!!!

As noted, this 'double' guard was always perplexing to me.....its kinda like a regular cross guard PLUS a cup! Almost as if the Spaniards, so enamored with the beloved cup hilt, just had to keep it there vestigially.

You're right Capn, as we know the 'pirate' eponym was pretty broadly brushed and the Spanish Main was very much a notable haunt for such predators.
Those shell guard swords we discussed years ago and it seems always having old British blades seem to have been around in number, and situated mostly from Gulf regions, Caribbean into the coastal areas of Central and South America.

These curious 'double hilt' forms seem southern Mexico from Oaxaca across. It seems the halved grip (in this case with dark and light halves) was a known Filipino affectation, so perhaps the 'Manila galleons' brought it when docking in Acapulco.

Keith, the blades on early examples were mostly from various sources, mostly European and many Spanish of course. In the Caribbean as mentioned, there seem to have been many English blades in early 19th.. Would love to find a Shotley fox on one.......I;ll bet it happened. We know those were kicking around well through 18th century, and once in the trade networks....who knows?

On this court or officers sword, the blade is almost like a fencing foil and not likely for battle use, but dress.

Pictured, the 'Brazilian' shell guard example mentioned, the makers were in England c.1830s

6th June 2025, 11:38 AM	#2
urbanspaceman Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Tyneside. North-East England Posts: 681	Blades? Hey Jim, fascinating! Love the hilts, really curiously ornate, but eminently practical. Where would the blades have been coming from... any idea?

6th June 2025, 05:34 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,442	Mark and Keith, thank you guys so much for answering!!! As noted, this 'double' guard was always perplexing to me.....its kinda like a regular cross guard PLUS a cup! Almost as if the Spaniards, so enamored with the beloved cup hilt, just had to keep it there vestigially. You're right Capn, as we know the 'pirate' eponym was pretty broadly brushed and the Spanish Main was very much a notable haunt for such predators. Those shell guard swords we discussed years ago and it seems always having old British blades seem to have been around in number, and situated mostly from Gulf regions, Caribbean into the coastal areas of Central and South America. These curious 'double hilt' forms seem southern Mexico from Oaxaca across. It seems the halved grip (in this case with dark and light halves) was a known Filipino affectation, so perhaps the 'Manila galleons' brought it when docking in Acapulco. Keith, the blades on early examples were mostly from various sources, mostly European and many Spanish of course. In the Caribbean as mentioned, there seem to have been many English blades in early 19th.. Would love to find a Shotley fox on one.......I;ll bet it happened. We know those were kicking around well through 18th century, and once in the trade networks....who knows? On this court or officers sword, the blade is almost like a fencing foil and not likely for battle use, but dress. Pictured, the 'Brazilian' shell guard example mentioned, the makers were in England c.1830s Attached Images

5th June 2025, 11:26 AM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,184	Hi Jim and thanks for posting this incredible sword. I don't have much to add, unfortunately, other than to say I've always been fascinated by this type in particular that has the cup hilt under the guard/quillons. Sort of a 'double guard'. many years ago, I remember seeing one of these types listed as a 'Spanish colonial 'pirate' sword'. I used to think that might have been fanciful until I learned of the massive resurgence of piracy during the 1800-20 period in the Caribbean as a result of all the colonial Spanish colonies going into revolt/revolution. Numbers of pirates climbed into record numbers matching the so-called Golden Age, so why not? I'm sure these cutlass-types saw some action during this period-