What is it?

Jim McDougall · 19th May 2008, 04:07 AM

This rather bizarre looking arrangement seems to have a Spanish Colonial hilt, with the discoid ecusson seeming like an addition. In all a very loose interpretation of an espada ancha from N.Mexico/New Mexico in early 19th c.

The blade ....no idea what that is! some kind of utility item like a cane chopper? whatever it is added to this hilt, possibly Central America?
It is one off, whatever it is, never seen one like it!

fearn · 20th May 2008, 03:58 AM

Hi,

I wonder if perhaps this blade is part of the regalia of some group like the Oddfellows?

F

Rick · 20th May 2008, 02:39 PM

I wonder if this is not just something that was cobbled together from disparate parts for effect .
Note how the corner of the forte protrudes into the knucklebow (ouch!) .

That says non-functional to me .

M ELEY · 22nd May 2008, 05:08 PM

Very interesting piece. Obviously a marriage crudely paired together, but still, interesting. I agree with Jim on this one. The hilt/grip and guard looks so similar to espada. I recall a sword from Bolivia with a straight blade on it, but clipped/cresent point and a similar hilt. It was an odd one, made by a German cutler with a marking of a lamb holding a flag, like the Moravian symbol. In any case, with so many of these S. American pieces are put-togethers. My 2 cents...

19th May 2008, 04:07 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,619	This rather bizarre looking arrangement seems to have a Spanish Colonial hilt, with the discoid ecusson seeming like an addition. In all a very loose interpretation of an espada ancha from N.Mexico/New Mexico in early 19th c. The blade ....no idea what that is! some kind of utility item like a cane chopper? whatever it is added to this hilt, possibly Central America? It is one off, whatever it is, never seen one like it!

20th May 2008, 03:58 AM	#2
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Hi, I wonder if perhaps this blade is part of the regalia of some group like the Oddfellows? F

20th May 2008, 02:39 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,371	I wonder if this is not just something that was cobbled together from disparate parts for effect . Note how the corner of the forte protrudes into the knucklebow (ouch!) . That says non-functional to me .

22nd May 2008, 05:08 PM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,201	Very interesting piece. Obviously a marriage crudely paired together, but still, interesting. I agree with Jim on this one. The hilt/grip and guard looks so similar to espada. I recall a sword from Bolivia with a straight blade on it, but clipped/cresent point and a similar hilt. It was an odd one, made by a German cutler with a marking of a lamb holding a flag, like the Moravian symbol. In any case, with so many of these S. American pieces are put-togethers. My 2 cents...