Another "Berber Like Sword."

drac2k · 2nd January 2025, 08:55 PM

To quote our scholarly Jim McDougall, this is a "Berber-like, Spanish Colonial Sword;"after reading all of the extensive threads on this weapon, I believe that is the safest description for that weapon. At times the sword has been referred to have been from Mexico or South America, however its description of being a Bolo would indicate it as being Philippine and the term "bolo," would have a different connotation from a sword in Central and South America. As noted in previous posts on the "Berber Like Sword," the blade is too long to be an effective machete (27").
The designs on the scabbard looked Philippine to me, however, it has a wooden insert, which I don't believe that the Central or South Americans, The people from the Caribbean, or the Philippines use, so maybe that makes an argument for the Berbers.
It is noted that the blade is "poison-tipped;" are we aware of any group that used this method on this type of sabre?
It is unfortunate that despite all the information on the scabbard, the only thing that wasn't told was where it came from.

werecow · 2nd January 2025, 10:44 PM

I wouldn't take it as reliable information about the type or the origin either way. It reads like an ebay description of the sword.

These are interesting though. I saw a few on auction a month or two ago. Was this one of that batch?

drac2k · 2nd January 2025, 11:24 PM

No, it was from Liveauctioneers; maybe someone bought it on Ebay and put it in the auction.
Interesting that you saw a batch as I don't see that many being sold; possibly they were from a collection.

werecow · 3rd January 2025, 04:19 AM

They must have been. There were several at the same auction, but unfortunately I failed to save them to my files because life stuff. I was tempted to bid but I spent all my sword moneys on a crab claw hilted sword.

I'm sure someone else on these boards must've noticed.

Sajen · 3rd January 2025, 08:03 PM

Cuban sword so far I've understood. Sadly the unusual scabbard foot is missing.
Here were these swords discussed: https://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showt...american+sword

G. Mansfield · 3rd January 2025, 11:12 PM

From all the previous research that I have read, these swords are actually Dominican. One example is or was present in the Museo del Ejercito in Toledo, Spain, described as Dominican Republic, 1860 - 1864. Most seem to be from Cibao or Santo Domingo during the Dominican Restoration War Period or thereafter. I personally would take no mind to the sheath writing. It looks to be older but the description is more than likely by a previous seller that attributed it incorrectly. Here is the one that I have currently in my collection.

https://www.the-mansfield-collection...an-machete-396

-Geoffrey

2nd January 2025, 08:55 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,242	Another "Berber Like Sword." To quote our scholarly Jim McDougall, this is a "Berber-like, Spanish Colonial Sword;"after reading all of the extensive threads on this weapon, I believe that is the safest description for that weapon. At times the sword has been referred to have been from Mexico or South America, however its description of being a Bolo would indicate it as being Philippine and the term "bolo," would have a different connotation from a sword in Central and South America. As noted in previous posts on the "Berber Like Sword," the blade is too long to be an effective machete (27"). The designs on the scabbard looked Philippine to me, however, it has a wooden insert, which I don't believe that the Central or South Americans, The people from the Caribbean, or the Philippines use, so maybe that makes an argument for the Berbers. It is noted that the blade is "poison-tipped;" are we aware of any group that used this method on this type of sabre? It is unfortunate that despite all the information on the scabbard, the only thing that wasn't told was where it came from. Attached Images

3rd January 2025, 11:12 PM	#6
G. Mansfield Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Colorado Posts: 88	From all the previous research that I have read, these swords are actually Dominican. One example is or was present in the Museo del Ejercito in Toledo, Spain, described as Dominican Republic, 1860 - 1864. Most seem to be from Cibao or Santo Domingo during the Dominican Restoration War Period or thereafter. I personally would take no mind to the sheath writing. It looks to be older but the description is more than likely by a previous seller that attributed it incorrectly. Here is the one that I have currently in my collection. https://www.the-mansfield-collection...an-machete-396 -Geoffrey Attached Images

2nd January 2025, 10:44 PM	#2
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 510	I wouldn't take it as reliable information about the type or the origin either way. It reads like an ebay description of the sword. These are interesting though. I saw a few on auction a month or two ago. Was this one of that batch?

2nd January 2025, 11:24 PM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,242	No, it was from Liveauctioneers; maybe someone bought it on Ebay and put it in the auction. Interesting that you saw a batch as I don't see that many being sold; possibly they were from a collection.

3rd January 2025, 04:19 AM	#4
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 510	They must have been. There were several at the same auction, but unfortunately I failed to save them to my files because life stuff. I was tempted to bid but I spent all my sword moneys on a crab claw hilted sword. I'm sure someone else on these boards must've noticed.

3rd January 2025, 08:03 PM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,982	Cuban sword so far I've understood. Sadly the unusual scabbard foot is missing. Here were these swords discussed: https://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showt...american+sword