Machete from Span-Am war?

carlos · 28th April 2008, 10:31 PM

This auction just finished in ebay. The seller think the sword is from China or Japan but I think is from Cuba.
What are your opinions?, somebody identified the marks of the blade?
Thanks in advance

Carlos

http://cgi.ebay.es/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...MEWN:IT&ih=018

Jim McDougall · 28th April 2008, 10:59 PM

Hi Carlos,
Thank you for posting this. These seem to be largely Spanish American War bringbacks, and about fifteen years ago, maybe longer, I found one exactly like this that was said provenanced from Monterrey, Mexico. Lots of research later, I was told by an authority on Spanish colonial weapons that these were from Cuba brought back by military during the Spanish American War.

According to authorities in Spain, these are typically considered from the Philippines, but given the Spanish trade routes this certainly seems possible as well. The blade on mine had the deep stamps in rows the full length of the blade, which was heavily patinated so seemed much earlier than the Spanish American War period.

The shellguard is interesting also with the multiple striated lines which correspond to shellguard espana anchas attributed now to Brazil c.1800 (see the pirate weapons thread, posted by Mark Eley).

I have no idea what those rows of deep marks might mean, but in the repitition seen appear to be simply motif.

Has anyone seen these show up in Philippine regions?

All best regards,
Jim

Battara · 29th April 2008, 02:07 AM

Yes I have (and have seen) Spanish-American sword bring backs.......

BUT NOTHING LIKE THIS PIECE!

Rick · 29th April 2008, 03:10 AM

Yes, didn't we see this hilt form also referenced in a Berber Sabre thread ?
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=berber+sabre

Jim McDougall · 29th April 2008, 03:40 AM

Rick, how do you do it!!! Your memory and eye is amazing!!

That sure is it OK.
The blade on the one I had was pretty rough, and it had the guard but no striations. This one is really nice.

All the best,
Jim

OAKSP · 29th April 2008, 11:52 PM

WOW !!!!

Seems to be a customized ancient colonial sword for Spanish American Campaing....

More info at
http://www.catalogacionarmas.com/public/34-Ultramar.pdf

A good piece !!!!!!!!!

28th April 2008, 10:31 PM	#1
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 737	Machete from Span-Am war? This auction just finished in ebay. The seller think the sword is from China or Japan but I think is from Cuba. What are your opinions?, somebody identified the marks of the blade? Thanks in advance Carlos http://cgi.ebay.es/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...MEWN:IT&ih=018 Attached Images Last edited by carlos; 29th April 2008 at 05:09 PM. Reason: AD PICTURES

29th April 2008, 11:52 PM	#6
OAKSP Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: SPAIN Posts: 21	SPANISH AMERICAN WOW !!!! Seems to be a customized ancient colonial sword for Spanish American Campaing.... More info at http://www.catalogacionarmas.com/public/34-Ultramar.pdf A good piece !!!!!!!!!

28th April 2008, 10:59 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,946	Hi Carlos, Thank you for posting this. These seem to be largely Spanish American War bringbacks, and about fifteen years ago, maybe longer, I found one exactly like this that was said provenanced from Monterrey, Mexico. Lots of research later, I was told by an authority on Spanish colonial weapons that these were from Cuba brought back by military during the Spanish American War. According to authorities in Spain, these are typically considered from the Philippines, but given the Spanish trade routes this certainly seems possible as well. The blade on mine had the deep stamps in rows the full length of the blade, which was heavily patinated so seemed much earlier than the Spanish American War period. The shellguard is interesting also with the multiple striated lines which correspond to shellguard espana anchas attributed now to Brazil c.1800 (see the pirate weapons thread, posted by Mark Eley). I have no idea what those rows of deep marks might mean, but in the repitition seen appear to be simply motif. Has anyone seen these show up in Philippine regions? All best regards, Jim

29th April 2008, 02:07 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	Yes I have (and have seen) Spanish-American sword bring backs....... BUT NOTHING LIKE THIS PIECE!

29th April 2008, 03:10 AM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Yes, didn't we see this hilt form also referenced in a Berber Sabre thread ? http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=berber+sabre

29th April 2008, 03:40 AM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,946	Rick, how do you do it!!! Your memory and eye is amazing!! That sure is it OK. The blade on the one I had was pretty rough, and it had the guard but no striations. This one is really nice. All the best, Jim