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#1 |
Arms Historian
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 9,896
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The so called espada ancha as noted, has many variations, and these were often made by local blacksmiths, often using repurposed components and locally forged blades.
The term 'espada ancha' is actually a modern misnomer which came into use in the 1960s after misunderstanding that term used in 18th c regulations being translated. In local parlance in period, these were termed 'machete' , as per Woodward (1946). This grouping shows just how widely ranged the variants of these primarily utilitarian weapons were, including the one at the top which was comprised of a cut down dragoon blade; three bar cavalry hilt and the grip of an old briquet. Some of these like the horn grip with largely full length dragoon blade were popular in the late 18th c. from Sinaloa into Alta California. |
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: France
Posts: 176
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Very interesting grouping Jim ! From your own collection ? The one at the top with the briquet hilt is very cool, I'd like to make a repro of it !
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#3 | |
Arms Historian
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 9,896
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Thank you very much!!! Yes, these are my own collection, many of which are featured in the article I wrote and published in "Review of the Swedish Arms and Armour Society New Series XXXIV", "The Espada Ancha and Machete of Northern Mexican Frontiers and Spanish Southwest From the 18th through 19th Centuries". The top item is a good example of how these ersatz weapons were fabricated in frontier regions of Mexico using repurposed components of older weapons. While obviously entirely incongruent and ungainly in appearance, the objective was to have a working weapon. Wayne's example in post #7 illustrates just how wide ranged the combining of components often were, and why these rustic frontier weapons are so fascinating. |
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