The Espada Ancha Myth

Jim McDougall · 8th July 2024, 12:21 AM

I wanted to add here a PDF of the article written last year for the Swedish Arms Society, and published in their centennial yearbook, kindly edited for presentation here by Lee Jones. This was a very interesting thread with some excellent discourse with the entries by Midelburgo, Fernando, Keith and Glen and brought together many valuable insights on these Spanish colonial weapons.

I hope this article will add to the material extant on the espada ancha, and that those of you with interest in this topic will find it of interest. I look forward to any comments, observations, suggestions and of course, any examples that might add to this study.

kronckew · 8th July 2024, 05:39 PM

I've always thought of this one as my espada ancha:

Jim McDougall · 8th July 2024, 06:52 PM

Hey Wayne, thank you for responding!
Thats a nice example, and in that configuration it could well be considered one, after all these utility oriented swords (machete) were found in countless variations. In Levine (1985) these kinds of ring over the cross quillon and similar type grip are noted as 'Central American dirks'. Here that type hilt is mounted with a machete type blade, and these were well known throughout the Spanish Main through the 19th c.

Great scabbard, and of the excellent leather work typically found in Mexico through the 19th c. as well.

fernando · 9th July 2024, 07:56 AM

Very nice example, Wayne

.

kronckew · 9th July 2024, 08:41 AM

Thanks, it's high on my list of favourites.

M ELEY · 10th July 2024, 01:16 AM

Indeed a nice Spanish colonial sword! You can see that this blade certainly was both a weapon and a tool. It would be perfect for hacking through brush, splitting a cactus or...well, I'll leave the weapon part to your imagination! A great piece for one's collection!

Jim McDougall · 10th July 2024, 03:26 PM

Thank you for coming in on this Capn!'
This truly is a great example of how many forms of hilt were used on these heavy blades, which as pointed out in my paper, were actually termed 'machete' in period, and actually even in Mexican regions into modern times(Woodward, 1946).

As you have perfectly noted ,
The espada ancha forms with hanger type hilts (or other as seen here) were intended for use in utilitarian purposes such as brushing trails and other use involving heavy vegetation. Their only use as a weapon was the as same kind of 'weapon of opportunity' in brawls or perhaps attacks by Native American tribes if other weapons not usable, where any number of tool forms might have been used.

For me the fascination with these is that though most are of a basic type hilt form with the expected variations reflecting certain decoration and elements favored by the local artisan producing it. .....the huge numbers of anomalies present exciting challenges in identification.

8th July 2024, 05:39 PM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,162	I've always thought of this one as my espada ancha: Attached Images

8th July 2024, 06:52 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,836	Hey Wayne, thank you for responding! Thats a nice example, and in that configuration it could well be considered one, after all these utility oriented swords (machete) were found in countless variations. In Levine (1985) these kinds of ring over the cross quillon and similar type grip are noted as 'Central American dirks'. Here that type hilt is mounted with a machete type blade, and these were well known throughout the Spanish Main through the 19th c. Great scabbard, and of the excellent leather work typically found in Mexico through the 19th c. as well.

9th July 2024, 07:56 AM	#4
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,676	Very nice example, Wayne .

9th July 2024, 08:41 AM	#5
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,162	Thanks, it's high on my list of favourites.

10th July 2024, 01:16 AM	#6
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,085	Indeed a nice Spanish colonial sword! You can see that this blade certainly was both a weapon and a tool. It would be perfect for hacking through brush, splitting a cactus or...well, I'll leave the weapon part to your imagination! A great piece for one's collection!

10th July 2024, 03:26 PM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,836	Thank you for coming in on this Capn!' This truly is a great example of how many forms of hilt were used on these heavy blades, which as pointed out in my paper, were actually termed 'machete' in period, and actually even in Mexican regions into modern times(Woodward, 1946). As you have perfectly noted , The espada ancha forms with hanger type hilts (or other as seen here) were intended for use in utilitarian purposes such as brushing trails and other use involving heavy vegetation. Their only use as a weapon was the as same kind of 'weapon of opportunity' in brawls or perhaps attacks by Native American tribes if other weapons not usable, where any number of tool forms might have been used. For me the fascination with these is that though most are of a basic type hilt form with the expected variations reflecting certain decoration and elements favored by the local artisan producing it. .....the huge numbers of anomalies present exciting challenges in identification.