BULL FIGHTING WEAPONS

[Jim McDougall]

It is hard to guage how to respond in a thread on this topic, as it is almost inevitable that activists will have to express their views on this admittedly grim sport. In perspective however, it is a profound tradition of Spain and Latin America which has its roots in ancient history, and actually is quite similar to big game hunting it seems to me.
While obviously fatal to the bull, it is also dangerous and often fatal to the matadors and others in the ring, well over 500 human fatalities on record. The most recent was just last month.

I prefer, just as in studying weapons, to focus on the historical aspects of them, not their inherent purpose, though obviously it cannot be entirely ignored.

Apparantly the actual event of bullfights was introduced or at least popularized by Francisco Romero in Ronda, Spain c. 1726.
Without elaborating on more details and focus on the sword, I am wondering of the 'estoque' (piercing sword) used might have been of the type attached here (these produced c. 1690-1750s).

This is a cuphilt in this case but more of the rugged form typically termed 'caribbean' but perhaps the smaller grip etc might have been used in these 'fights'. The seemingly small grip and character of these always reminded me of bullfight swords.
The red cape covering the muleta stick and then the sword is of course theatrical, the bull cannot discern color and for that matter probably not the covered sword either.

Interesting on these daggers, which do seem very much like hunting knives.