A Pair of Mexican Naval Swords

[drac2k]

I recently purchased a pair of swords that were attributed to the Mexican Navy.
The longer sword with the folding guard and the Eagle Head Pommel didn't look like the typical Mexican Eagle and I was unable to find a similar example until I stumbled on an example that was in the Texas Star of the Republic Museum, allegedly owned by Santa Anna's Naval Aid and Secretary, Ramon Martinez Caro.
The second sword was supposedly a naval cutlass and while it is a good length and shape to be such, I can not find a comparable example. It certainly is Mexican, it looks like it is a composite sword, made a long time ago, put together for whatever past need.

[Jim McDougall]

These are both fantastic swords!!!! and as you know I have an affinity for Spanish and Mexican swords we've been talking about for 10 years +

The first one is of course naval due to fouled anchor and the eagle and snake emblem of Republic of Mexico from post 1825. The similar sword (hilt) resembling this one and attributed to Ramon Martinez Caro must be from his career well past his attachment to Santa Anna during the Texas campaigns of `1836.
This type hilt is interesting as it incorporates the American eagle head pommel with the British 'gothic' style hilt of mid 19th c. and if not mistaken these were produced in Germany for Mexico and Latin American countries later in 19thc.
It seems that also in this time Ames (1850s+) was producing eagle head swords for Mexican army.

The second sword has the typical 'phrygian hat' type pommel of French M1822 cavalry sabers (later copied by US as the M1840). While these were known in late 1820s most are associated with later periods, especially with the RM mark and liberty hat with feather surround.....also the A.C. was a supplier in Mexico, A. Columbuzier, later in 19th c. and I think Mexico City.

Not sure why it would be deemed a cutlass though with regular cavalry blade.Attached example of my 'cutlass' c. 1870s + with same markings.

Also shown an Ames Mexican army hilt probably 1860s-70s and Mexican cavalry saber late 1820s -30s with Spanish motto blade.

[drac2k]

Thanks, Jim, as always your vast expertise is always appreciated!
I think that they may have called the shorter sword a cutlass because of the blade length which is only 23" long; also mine has more of a local flavor as the handle is horn.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by drac2k

Thanks, Jim, as always your vast expertise is always appreciated!
I think that they may have called the shorter sword a cutlass because of the blade length which is only 23" long; also mine has more of a local flavor as the handle is horn.

Thanks David.....with the incredible scope of variation in these Spanish colonial and Mexican weapons its an endless learning process, which is why these are so fascinating.
I agree, the term cutlass has ever been tossed around pretty loosely, and even espada anchas are often termed cutlasses in descriptions, as noted in my paper of last year published in Sweden (but in English). Basically I guess, any shorter blade would qualify as a cutlass? but that becomes confusing due to the naval connotation
Whatever the case, there is a certain rustic charm with these Mexican swords that have been reworked, and that canted horn grip profoundly adds to it!

[Hotspur]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

These are both fantastic swords!!!! and as you know I have an affinity for Spanish and Mexican swords we've been talking about for 10 years +

The first one is of course naval due to fouled anchor and the eagle and snake emblem of Republic of Mexico from post 1825. The similar sword (hilt) resembling this one and attributed to Ramon Martinez Caro must be from his career well past his attachment to Santa Anna during the Texas campaigns of `1836.
This type hilt is interesting as it incorporates the American eagle head pommel with the British 'gothic' style hilt of mid 19th c. and if not mistaken these were produced in Germany for Mexico and Latin American countries later in 19thc.
It seems that also in this time Ames (1850s+) was producing eagle head swords for Mexican army.

The second sword has the typical 'phrygian hat' type pommel of French M1822 cavalry sabers (later copied by US as the M1840). While these were known in late 1820s most are associated with later periods, especially with the RM mark and liberty hat with feather surround.....also the A.C. was a supplier in Mexico, A. Columbuzier, later in 19th c. and I think Mexico City.

Not sure why it would be deemed a cutlass though with regular cavalry blade.Attached example of my 'cutlass' c. 1870s + with same markings.

Also shown an Ames Mexican army hilt probably 1860s-70s and Mexican cavalry saber late 1820s -30s with Spanish motto blade.

The Ames eagle pommel and probably grip were of one, the blade another and the hilt a French Cutler, you can just make out the French cartouche. I see something new very time I revisit those files from Dave Parks site.

The naval officer sword has an almost enlarged Widmann type VI profile but I'm sure it was just influence

Cheers
GC