European Blade Colonial Mexican Generals Sword

[Jim McDougall]

As noted in this valuable link to the 'Dewitt' source regarding the well known Spanish colonial short swords known as 'espada ancha' in modern terms, often the full size Spanish blades were used in them. Typically they were reduced in length in these cases, however the heavier blacksmith made blades were usually preferred for the rugged use expected of them in the frontiers. The 'espada ancha' shown is an example of the use of one of the 'dragoon blades' from the 1728 cavalry sword context, this one of the form but without the familiar 'Spanish motto' (draw me not without reason.....), and perhaps earlier in the 18th century in similar Solingen contexts. It is an example from New Mexico context, but examples of this type are possibly from Sinaloa regions late 18thc. They are known in use in Alta California as late as 1831 (Avila, Cahuenga Pass).

The 'Spanish motto' blades appear to have been retailed in Solingen by Peter Knecht, as one source, per Sir James Mann (Wallace Collection, 1962, p.268).