Espada ancha--recycled M1832 Artillery Sword?

[Roland_M]

Hi Ian,

this blade could also be from a french Model 1816 Artilery sword: "Glaive de Artillerie a pied Modell 1816".


Roland

[Masich]

Originally Posted by Roland_M

Hi Ian,

this blade could also be from a french Model 1816 Artilery sword: "Glaive de Artillerie a pied Modell 1816".


Roland

I agree that this espada ancha is likely a modified Glaive d'artillerie à pied modèle 1816. The pattern/placement of grooves and the fact that the French blade has less of a "waist" than its 1832 American cousin makes me think the Mexican artificer would not have had much trouble grinding it to espada form.

In either case, it is a wonderful piece--just the sort of thing I am hoping to document for a book I'm working on related to the 1861-67 French Intervention in Mexico. American, French, and British arms found their way to Mexico in great quantities as Juarez's Republicans fought Maximilian and the Mexican Conservatives/Imperialists and their French allies.

I just acquired an espada ancha made from a yataghan sword bayonet. I'm wishfully thinking that its a French M1842/59 pattern (pictured, top). But it could be a M1866 (bottom) or even an American or British bayonet. Any advice on identification would be much appreciated.

Andy Masich

[Shakethetrees]

Here's a shot of an early French Glaive D'Artillerie for comparison.

[machinist]

I am surprised I did not see this thread until today, sorry Ian but it is mine now.
The historical possibilities made it hard to pass up and if I have to eat beans and rice for a while so be it. It won't be the first time.
The idea of it being of French origin certainly pleases me and opens up many unprovable possibilities,
a prize from the battle of Puebla? An even earlier relic of the "Pastry war"?
I imagine nationalistic pride rather than necessity caused its reforging and rehilting into a proper Mexican sword.

[Ian]

Congratulations on a nice acquisition! I'm pleased it found an appreciative home. There are a number of historical possibilities, as you point out. I thought it was an interesting talking point for this forum, and a possible French connection makes it a little more intriguing.

Ian.

Originally Posted by machinist

I am surprised I did not see this thread until today, sorry Ian but it is mine now.
The historical possibilities made it hard to pass up and if I have to eat beans and rice for a while so be it. It won't be the first time.
The idea of it being of French origin certainly pleases me and opens up many unprovable possibilities,
a prize from the battle of Puebla? An even earlier relic of the "Pastry war"?
I imagine nationalistic pride rather than necessity caused its reforging and rehilting into a proper Mexican sword.