Mexican court or officers sword c.1820s

[Jim McDougall]

This Mexican sword seems to be of early 19th century, similar hilts are noted in references with the odd combination of multi bar guards combined with cup guard, and resemble the 'round tang' espadas (Adams 1985). The blade is of course clearly not a fighting blade, so this would appear to be a dress or possibly for an official or officer.

Online I found the example to the right listed as a Mexican generals sword 1883-1918.

Clearly Mexican sword traditions prevailed into the 20th century. As has been well attested, there is very little interest overall in Spanish colonial and Mexican arms, particularly edged weapons, and these typically reach unusual values due to the fact they are so esoteric and there is such a limited collecting base. Along with this, expectedly, there is a resounding dearth of published material on these weapons, with the single reference volume in English being "Spanish Military Arms in Colonial America", Pierce Chamberlain & Sidney Brinckerhoff, 1972. There are about six other brief articles published on them since 1946, prior to that only a brief chapter in a New Mexico journal in 1927 (Curtis).

Anyone out there interested as well?

[Jim McDougall]

In the reference (pp.92-93)this type hilt is shown as saber mounted, c. 1813 during the Mexican Revolution and this example belonged to an officer with Father Morelos.....Vincente Ramon Guerrero. He later became the second president of Mexico, so the traditional importance of this type hilt can be seen.

The second example is of similar hilt character, and again seems to have been situated by form in southern regions from Acapulco to as far as South America. This one is put in the reference as c. 1820.

During the revolutionary times of the late 19th century in Mexico into the more defined period of the recognized Revolution (1910-1921 loosely) it seems that early forms of Mexican swords remained significant and sword makers in Oaxaca and several others produced them.

[Jim McDougall]

The Mexican Revolution of 1810 against the government of Spain was begun being led by Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753-1811) who was known as Father Hidalgo. He stood as the iconic figure of the Revolution after his execution on 1811.
The old news item I found (from '98) shows the celebration remembering these events and the militia known as 'cueredos' who fought under him.

The primary figure of the Revolution from 1910 was Francisco Zapata in regions in southern Mexico, depicted in this painting "Agrarian Leader Zapata" by Diego Rivera (1931). Note the sword depicted under his foot...remarkably like the multi bar hilt form shown in previous post and article.

[M ELEY]

Hi Jim and thanks for posting this incredible sword. I don't have much to add, unfortunately, other than to say I've always been fascinated by this type in particular that has the cup hilt under the guard/quillons. Sort of a 'double guard'. many years ago, I remember seeing one of these types listed as a 'Spanish colonial 'pirate' sword'. I used to think that might have been fanciful until I learned of the massive resurgence of piracy during the 1800-20 period in the Caribbean as a result of all the colonial Spanish colonies going into revolt/revolution. Numbers of pirates climbed into record numbers matching the so-called Golden Age, so why not? I'm sure these cutlass-types saw some action during this period-

[urbanspaceman]

Hey Jim, fascinating! Love the hilts, really curiously ornate, but eminently practical.
Where would the blades have been coming from... any idea?

[Jim McDougall]

Mark and Keith, thank you guys so much for answering!!!
As noted, this 'double' guard was always perplexing to me.....its kinda like a regular cross guard PLUS a cup! Almost as if the Spaniards, so enamored with the beloved cup hilt, just had to keep it there vestigially.

You're right Capn, as we know the 'pirate' eponym was pretty broadly brushed and the Spanish Main was very much a notable haunt for such predators.
Those shell guard swords we discussed years ago and it seems always having old British blades seem to have been around in number, and situated mostly from Gulf regions, Caribbean into the coastal areas of Central and South America.

These curious 'double hilt' forms seem southern Mexico from Oaxaca across. It seems the halved grip (in this case with dark and light halves) was a known Filipino affectation, so perhaps the 'Manila galleons' brought it when docking in Acapulco.

Keith, the blades on early examples were mostly from various sources, mostly European and many Spanish of course. In the Caribbean as mentioned, there seem to have been many English blades in early 19th.. Would love to find a Shotley fox on one.......I;ll bet it happened. We know those were kicking around well through 18th century, and once in the trade networks....who knows?

On this court or officers sword, the blade is almost like a fencing foil and not likely for battle use, but dress.


Pictured, the 'Brazilian' shell guard example mentioned, the makers were in England c.1830s