The Espada Ancha

[Jim McDougall]

Thank you so much Keith!
Yes I remember that beauty!
This seems to fall into the category of naval cutlass alright.

As noted,the Spanish espada ancha, as I point out in the article, is likely derived from the hunting hangers of the 17th century which were typically used aboard vessels as well as the heavy bladed types regarded as cutlasses.
The heavy bladed 'cutlass' was far more durable for the utility duties it was most inclined to find use in, particularly ashore when such weapons were needed to clear vegetation etc.

The 'name game' comes into play here,as used aboard vessels, stout often shorter bladed weapons were collectively termed 'cutlasses', while ashore used in the vegetation clearing (and other) functions it became 'machete'.

This was actually the Spanish term by which the 'espada ancha' was known as these evolved in the frontier regions of New Spain (now Mexico,and Southwestern America) in the 18th century. The espada ancha term came from a writers mistranslation in the mid 1960s and has remained in place with collectors since.

This fine example appears to have the hilt of a British infantry hanger of 1750s and of course the stag horn grip popular with hunting swords of the times. As we know, these horn grips often occur on various cutlass forms as they had through the 17th century as well.The blade seems somewhat cut down from a hanger of the period much in the manner of dirks.

You will recall this example,an English or French hanger cut down into a dirk.