The Espada Ancha Myth

[fernando]

Originally Posted by urbanspaceman

... Catalan design forges were established in the colonies and presumably local blacksmiths were supplying troops with these machete blade like swords.

Such an enticing picture, that of the Catalan furnaces, Keith. I couldn't resist to dig a bit on their history. Allegedly the first set of these built in the colonies (Alta California 1790), when of Gaspar de Portolà’s expedition, which included a Catalan volunteer corps. Situated in the mission of San Juan Capistrano, one of the largest around (1776). Blacksmiths introduced the Catalan style iron processing to the mission neophyts (Juaneño natives) whom until then made their utensiles in wood. Although the range of devices they forged, besides tools, the casting of cannons for the mission defence, they don't appear to have forged blades, much less for trade.
But what do i know; chroniclers might be wrong .