Two for One

Jim McDougall · 22nd September 2023, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drac2k

Thank you Jim for your insightful observations. I hadn't thought(nor did I know), of the connection of sword types and martial art skills being exported from Mexico to the Philippines via Mexican Mercenaries.

Absolutely my pleasure, I always appreciate the opportunity to learn more from examples shown. The diffusion of forms was as complex as the networks of trade routes themselves. There are swords in the Spanish colonies in Morocco which reflect influences from the Philippines and other archipelagos in the Spanish East Indies sphere. The martial arts skills (destreza) traveled with those on trade vessels. The mercenary forces out of Spanish Luzon were much as mercenary forces have always been, broadly honed in many fighting skills and these men found their way to allied forces of France in SE Asia...Im sure these martial arts skills were included.

It is interesting to see further Spanish influences such as morions and mail used by moros etc as well.

Ian · 23rd September 2023, 12:20 PM

Hi drac.

Thanks for posting these two interesting examples. I think Jim has provided an excellent account of how Spanish Colonial styles moved around the Pacific. I agree that the example you show may well have a Phlippines connection. The long, single, down-turned quillion was also a feature of some Chinese maritime short swords/large knives encountered in the South China Sea.

Your other item which resembles a small-bladed panabas with a longish handle is most likely a tabas. This is an agricultural tool mainly, and some believe that the panabas was developed from such a tool/axe.

Jim McDougall · 24th September 2023, 09:33 PM

Thank you Ian!
Well noted on the drop down quillon and its presence in many Chinese sword types, including the hudiedao (often in pairs) and used by river 'pirates'. The Chinese influences in the Philippines and archipelagos definitely found some degree of diffusion in vessels returning from their trade missions.

We know the espada ancha itself evolved from hangers often used on these vessels, so it does not seem surprising that this feature might have been absorbed into many of them. It is very difficult to fully comprehend the dynamics of these kinds of diffusion through trade networks, but the outcome can be seen in these kinds of similarities.

It is interesting on the panabas, as Ian has well noted, the dual purpose of edged weapons as both tool and weapon is not only common, but often inevitable.

drac2k · 25th September 2023, 04:18 PM

I thought that the panabas was a little unusual in that it had a 22" long handle (longer than normal in comparison to the length of the blade),and it appears to be made from bamboo which reminded me of a mak .Due to the fact that the handle is bamboo, easily replaceable, and not adorned, I agree that it was probably an agricultural tool.

23rd September 2023, 12:20 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,167	Hi drac. Thanks for posting these two interesting examples. I think Jim has provided an excellent account of how Spanish Colonial styles moved around the Pacific. I agree that the example you show may well have a Phlippines connection. The long, single, down-turned quillion was also a feature of some Chinese maritime short swords/large knives encountered in the South China Sea. Your other item which resembles a small-bladed panabas with a longish handle is most likely a tabas. This is an agricultural tool mainly, and some believe that the panabas was developed from such a tool/axe. Last edited by Ian; 30th September 2023 at 11:38 AM.

24th September 2023, 09:33 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,896	Thank you Ian! Well noted on the drop down quillon and its presence in many Chinese sword types, including the hudiedao (often in pairs) and used by river 'pirates'. The Chinese influences in the Philippines and archipelagos definitely found some degree of diffusion in vessels returning from their trade missions. We know the espada ancha itself evolved from hangers often used on these vessels, so it does not seem surprising that this feature might have been absorbed into many of them. It is very difficult to fully comprehend the dynamics of these kinds of diffusion through trade networks, but the outcome can be seen in these kinds of similarities. It is interesting on the panabas, as Ian has well noted, the dual purpose of edged weapons as both tool and weapon is not only common, but often inevitable. Attached Images

25th September 2023, 04:18 PM	#4
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,217	I thought that the panabas was a little unusual in that it had a 22" long handle (longer than normal in comparison to the length of the blade),and it appears to be made from bamboo which reminded me of a mak .Due to the fact that the handle is bamboo, easily replaceable, and not adorned, I agree that it was probably an agricultural tool.