Hi Jim, i would be eager to find more historical info about the use of swords or rapiers in California and Mexico in the late 18th and early 19th C, and how long these were used. I know Fabrica de Toledo made very high quality decorative rapiers somewere between 1850 and 1880 mostly honorary presents for the colonies but these were indeed real weapons.
On the contrary what many of us think rapiers were used much longer be it sporadic in duels, the last known and even filmed was in 1967 in France
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e68nuAcSuWQ . I know its not exactly the topic of your thread but perhaps i can find more info on how long they were in use,
Kind regards
Ulfberth