A cup hilt sword for coments.

[dana_w]

This Spanish Colonial cup hilt has a grip very similar to the one posted by fernando. Maybe these photos might be useful here for comparison.

[fernando]

Dana, i have no words !
Definitely this grip and mine were made by the same workshop ... or even the same smith; not to say both swords came out from the same origin.
Can you advance some further info on this example ... a link, a description, anything ?
Tha would be rather interesting, not to say vital, for my sword record.

[dana_w]

Originally Posted by fernando

Dana, i have no words !
Definitely this grip and mine were made by the same workshop ... or even the same smith; not to say both swords came out from the same origin.
Can you advance some further info on this example ... a link, a description, anything ?
Tha would be rather interesting, not to say vital, for my sword record.

Hi fernando, I just knew that you'd want too see this cup hilt. I can't tell you much about it with any certainty. There are two contradictory stories and I have not been able to verify either of them. I know that it was purchased by father over ten years ago in St. Augustine Florida.

One story has it belonging to Georges Biassou, a slave who became a leader of the 1791 Haïtian Revolution. He fought with Spanish royalists against the French Revolutionary authorities in colonial Haïti. In 1795 Biassou moved to St. Augustine.

Another person has told me that they once owned the sword, and that it was purchased at a European auction house in the 90s.

I am working on the photos today. If you'd like I can post more images here when I am done along with the measurements. Maybe you and Jim can help me with the description...?

[fernando]

Thank you Dana.
I bet Jim will enjoy dissecting your sword historic provenance possibilities.
Mine was bought in a Spanish antique weapons site. But you know, this is a small world and things (swords) jump from one place to another with amazing facility.
I will be expecting further pictures and measurements of your piece.

[dana_w]

Here are the measurements, they are all approximate.

Blade length: 32 inches || 81.28 cm
Blade thickness at forte: 3/16 inches || .476 cm
Blade with at forte: 1 3/8 inches || 3.492 cm
Quillons extension: 3 1/8 inches || 7.937 cm
Cup width: 5 3/8 inches || 13.652 cm
Total length: 38 1/2 inches || 97.79 cm
Ponit of balance: about an inch from the bottom of the cup
Weight: 3 lb, 2 1/4 oz || 1.424 kg4

The cup seem to be made of iron with silver decorations.

[Jim McDougall]

Thank you for posting this Dana!!! It is really exciting to see another of these, and I also look forward to further details when you receive this.
As you know Fernando and I are obsessive on cuphilts and Cap'n Mark will be coming in as well I'm sure as soon as he gets back into port.

What is great is to see another of these curious grip types, and I will begin excavations here in the bookmobile to relocate notes etc. Here these kinds of anomalies and arms mysteries the case files are never closed...just pending.....and it really works when enthusiasts like yourself bring forth new examples and evidence. I cannot thank you enough!!!

All the very best,
Jim

[dana_w]

Here is one more photo. You can see how the silver is wrapped over the lip of the cup, and where some of it is missing on the left side of the photo.

[fernando]

Beautiful sword indeed, Dana
I am surprised with one detail ... which links to another.
Its weight is rather significant; 55% heavier than mine. Which is quite impressive, given that the overall dimensions of both are equivalent. Even your blade doesn't appear to be thicker than mine, although of a different profile. On the other hand the point of balance of yours is rather close from the guard; mine is almost 3 1/2" from the cup bottom.
We then may conclude that the cup of your sword is 'extremely' heavy, right ?
Maybe due to the bowl being made with (much) thicker iron plate, together with the weight of the multiple adornments ?
Can you check the blade ricasso inside the bowl and see if it is adorned ...something like mine, which has a brass decorated 'ferrule' ? This could indicate further familiarity in the smith style, due to being an uncommon procedure.


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