Ancha/Nimcha

M ELEY · 12th July 2008, 07:31 AM

Hello Jim!
Saw this auction and thought about bidding on it. Another Brazilian espada, like the one I sent you to look at and featured under that pirate thread. I have seen some of these with straight, thin, relatively short blades and ones with the more classic curved, heavy (often-Brit import) blades. In your opinion, do you believe there is a chance that some of these more "cutlass-looking" bladed types might have seen sea service? After all, Brazil had much traffic leaving it's many ports, not to mention pirate activity. I could see the heavier-bladed examples being used as horseman's sabers, but their size and clumsiness, to me, limits them as a standard sidearm. The hilt still serves well as a cutlass, so I'm holding out for a vote of maritime use!

Jim McDougall · 12th July 2008, 11:44 PM

Hi Mark, its great to hear from you!!
I think that absolutely, in my opinion, these shellguard espadas would have been perfect for piracy in the "Spanish Main" which carried on in the Caribbean and Spanish trade routes well into the 19th century. As we know, heavy British blades are seen on some, while the lighter and more decorated blades may heve been used by the gentry in South America. I had always heard of 'espada anchas' (generally applied) in South America, but until the Brazilian ID, had not seen examples.
There is apparantly a new book out on sea service weapons, cannot think of the title offhand, but its author is named Sim Comfort. It seems highly regarded but is also mucho expensive! I'm hoping to discover more on it, and maybe such examples might show up here.
I'm with you on the maritime plausibility for these shellguards, just as we discussed before

pirates at heart we are !!!

M ELEY · 13th July 2008, 02:53 AM

Thanks for responding, Jim. I knew if I threw out that ole 'pirate' lure, I'd draw you in!

Just wanted to get your important opinion on the possibility of maritime use. I've heard of Mr Comfort before in regards to another past book (perhaps on Confederate swords?), but was unaware he had another out. Most interesting! Unfortunately, just used up my birthday/Christmas/Father's Day/Anniversary/etc,etc,etc, money buying an interesting boarding axe on eBay, so money's too tight to buy any expensive references now. Thank you so much for mentioning it, though, because I'll keep a lookout for it in the future!

12th July 2008, 07:31 AM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,184	Hello Jim! Saw this auction and thought about bidding on it. Another Brazilian espada, like the one I sent you to look at and featured under that pirate thread. I have seen some of these with straight, thin, relatively short blades and ones with the more classic curved, heavy (often-Brit import) blades. In your opinion, do you believe there is a chance that some of these more "cutlass-looking" bladed types might have seen sea service? After all, Brazil had much traffic leaving it's many ports, not to mention pirate activity. I could see the heavier-bladed examples being used as horseman's sabers, but their size and clumsiness, to me, limits them as a standard sidearm. The hilt still serves well as a cutlass, so I'm holding out for a vote of maritime use!

12th July 2008, 11:44 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,456	Hi Mark, its great to hear from you!! I think that absolutely, in my opinion, these shellguard espadas would have been perfect for piracy in the "Spanish Main" which carried on in the Caribbean and Spanish trade routes well into the 19th century. As we know, heavy British blades are seen on some, while the lighter and more decorated blades may heve been used by the gentry in South America. I had always heard of 'espada anchas' (generally applied) in South America, but until the Brazilian ID, had not seen examples. There is apparantly a new book out on sea service weapons, cannot think of the title offhand, but its author is named Sim Comfort. It seems highly regarded but is also mucho expensive! I'm hoping to discover more on it, and maybe such examples might show up here. I'm with you on the maritime plausibility for these shellguards, just as we discussed before pirates at heart we are !!!

13th July 2008, 02:53 AM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,184	Thanks for responding, Jim. I knew if I threw out that ole 'pirate' lure, I'd draw you in! Just wanted to get your important opinion on the possibility of maritime use. I've heard of Mr Comfort before in regards to another past book (perhaps on Confederate swords?), but was unaware he had another out. Most interesting! Unfortunately, just used up my birthday/Christmas/Father's Day/Anniversary/etc,etc,etc, money buying an interesting boarding axe on eBay, so money's too tight to buy any expensive references now. Thank you so much for mentioning it, though, because I'll keep a lookout for it in the future!