Sword identification

[M ELEY]

Hello Cap'n Jim! Great to hear from you! I should have known that this one would catch your attention! What do you think of the history? Amazing pirate piece!

JesseS is probably mad at me, as I said I'd post a pic of one of mine. Still waiting for the wife (who's computer-savvy) to post the pics I took with her phone. In any case, I'll try again in the next couple of days! Just to warn you, Jesse, as I stated, the motto on mine is all but rubbed off and almost impossible to read. I used to have another sword (now sold) with a solid marking.

[Jim McDougall]

Ahoy there Mark!
Thank you so much for the response, and always the kind words. This one indeed is directly in line with all the research and discussion we have shared for many years on the mystery of these 'Spanish motto' blades. I will never forget the first time I ever encountered it, in a purely serendipity instance in Southern California in the 70s. I saw a sabre in a boutique window along Coast Highway in Laguna. It was serving as a display holder for costume jewelry!!!
I nabbed it for a paltry amount, and though not knowing much on it in those days, had pretty much all the same notions on it's motto that have been so heavily perpetuated in so many cases. Regrettably I traded it away in later years, and later learning the history of these I have wistful memories of this wonderful Spanish colonial sabre.

As you note, these blades were prevalent through the 'Spanish Main' in the later years of piracy, which remained long after the 'golden age', in fact never has really ended. Sorry we lost Jesse on this one, time does get away

All the best,
Jim

[M ELEY]

Hello Jim and Happy Easter!

Too bad you don't still have that sword you found with the motto. I'm one to talk, though, as I traded mine away as well! If you remember, mine was the German-made Solingen sword with Spanish motto, classic Spanish 6-sided broadsword blade with brass cast lion hilt. I traded it for a naval officer's lion pommel hanger-

I think Jesse's sword is a very important piece of pirate history and he's a lucky gent to have it! If you ever wish to part with it, Jesse...

OK, finally, here is the Spanish colonial bilbo I mentioned with similar blade, marking almost completely undiscernable, with similar decorations. As Jim pointed out, the Spanish trade routes passed directly through the so called Barbary States, so a captured Spanish colonial piece may have had a bilbo type hilt, cup hilt, etc.

[M ELEY]

More pics. Note the crude pas d'ane, rounded bars brazed together in primitive loop pattern and crude wire wrap over wood core.