[midelburgo]

It is important to note that brass foundry was uncommon in Spain. In XVIth century most brass domestic items were brought from Germany. Bronze was often used instead.

So the weapons given by the French in the Sucession war were probably the first brass hilted weapons since the Granada moors were expelled (their ginetas had brass hilts).

Some years ago I bought at the city of Lerida the sword below. The hilt is that of the French dragoon 1695 model. From the blade (80cm) I have had some indications that it could be a much earlier Spanish blade (motto is INRI MARIA).

Lerida was often at the frontline in 1700-1714. Whole Spanish cavalry and dragoon regiments were equiped by the French, and with their own sword models, including the 1695. Also many French regiments were busy in the peninsula. I have seen the notice that volume number 26 (1980) of Armes Blanches Françaises by Aries, has an article on those units, but although I have Hoste and Petard books, I do not have that one. Maybe somebody can confirm this point. Petard, first volume, page 30, indicates cavalry had blades of 95-98cm and dragoons, with the same single "pontat" hilt, 80cm.