A Spanish machete (part II) - looking for a few good sleuths

not2sharp · 24th June 2005, 12:20 AM

We have talked about this item in the past; But, I was able to get some more interesting photos todays so it is probably worth looking at it again.

To begin with, this is a custom made piece produced by The Fabrica National De Toledo in 1858. It is loosely based on the artillery machete produced at the time, but is elaborately decorated and mounted in heavily tooled steel inlayed with goldleaf. The right face of the blade is decorated with a crest, the angel Gabriel (?), the Facade of the Fabrica Nacional de Toledo, and the Alcazar (palace of kings)

Today I was able to add these additional photos which show the reverse side of the blade, a second crest, and the initials located on the cross guard (E.^o Z.) which were probably the initials of the craftman who actually made the piece.

The crests are particularly interesting; I am not into heraldry, but they seem very similar to the crests for Sevilla, and for Torres.

There is also this angelic image; and I am not sure what to make of it.

This looks to be some form of presentation piece. We know when and where it was made, but do we have enough infomation to figure out why and for whom?

n2s

24th June 2005, 12:20 AM	#1
not2sharp Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 210	A Spanish machete (part II) - looking for a few good sleuths We have talked about this item in the past; But, I was able to get some more interesting photos todays so it is probably worth looking at it again. To begin with, this is a custom made piece produced by The Fabrica National De Toledo in 1858. It is loosely based on the artillery machete produced at the time, but is elaborately decorated and mounted in heavily tooled steel inlayed with goldleaf. The right face of the blade is decorated with a crest, the angel Gabriel (?), the Facade of the Fabrica Nacional de Toledo, and the Alcazar (palace of kings) Today I was able to add these additional photos which show the reverse side of the blade, a second crest, and the initials located on the cross guard (E.^o Z.) which were probably the initials of the craftman who actually made the piece. The crests are particularly interesting; I am not into heraldry, but they seem very similar to the crests for Sevilla, and for Torres. There is also this angelic image; and I am not sure what to make of it. This looks to be some form of presentation piece. We know when and where it was made, but do we have enough infomation to figure out why and for whom? n2s Last edited by not2sharp; 24th June 2005 at 12:34 AM.