Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Unknown Spanish colonial or Mexican Basket Hilted sabre

Jim McDougall · Today, 02:41 AM

This is a most unusual example of officers sword which indeed does appear to be likely of French origin, but hard to define without comprehensive references on the swords of the Napoleonic period. The inscription does suggest the sort of inscription often occurring on Mexican swords of the 19th century in this case with what appears commemorative date 1720.

Mexican officers from the time of Santa Anna, were highly influenced by French military and Santa Anna himself was a great admirer of Napoleon. The spectrum of Mexican swords recorded in references is less than comprehensive as well. Without comparative examples on this, I would suggest it may well be to a Mexican officer of mid 19th c. possibly earlier.

The quillon arrangement in the guard here illustrates the influence on locally made Mexican swords of the Revolution of 1810 and later, with multi branch guards, often four rather than the three of regular cavalry hilts.

The illustrations are a French artillery officers sword c.1800 with flaming bomb on guard. The more elaborate neoclassic hilt on the example posted here is with the kind of baroque neo classic decoration much favored by the French , on this multibranch guard.
The obviously crudely made Mexican example shown is c.1810-20s reflects the influence of these more elaborate French hilts.
The blade on the posted example resembles blades of French cuirassiers forms of Napoleonic period, but would have French markings.
There were sword makers in Mexico, Oaxaca, who produced swords well through the 19th c.

I have never seen the flaming bomb used in Mexican sword designs but may well derive from the strong French influence. Understandable reference to the Springfield arsenal who used this device during WWI on the M1913 Patton sword as well as other 'ordnance' materials.

I cannot pull up the thread listed.

A further note on this blade, the deeply channeled double fuller on the model ANXI cuirassiers sword of First Empire used 1804-1816 ran the full blade length.
It does seen quite possible this might, as suggested, be a German version and perhaps during the Confederation of the Rhine 1806-1813 when Solingen was impacted by French control under Napoleon.

Today, 02:41 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,587	This is a most unusual example of officers sword which indeed does appear to be likely of French origin, but hard to define without comprehensive references on the swords of the Napoleonic period. The inscription does suggest the sort of inscription often occurring on Mexican swords of the 19th century in this case with what appears commemorative date 1720. Mexican officers from the time of Santa Anna, were highly influenced by French military and Santa Anna himself was a great admirer of Napoleon. The spectrum of Mexican swords recorded in references is less than comprehensive as well. Without comparative examples on this, I would suggest it may well be to a Mexican officer of mid 19th c. possibly earlier. The quillon arrangement in the guard here illustrates the influence on locally made Mexican swords of the Revolution of 1810 and later, with multi branch guards, often four rather than the three of regular cavalry hilts. The illustrations are a French artillery officers sword c.1800 with flaming bomb on guard. The more elaborate neoclassic hilt on the example posted here is with the kind of baroque neo classic decoration much favored by the French , on this multibranch guard. The obviously crudely made Mexican example shown is c.1810-20s reflects the influence of these more elaborate French hilts. The blade on the posted example resembles blades of French cuirassiers forms of Napoleonic period, but would have French markings. There were sword makers in Mexico, Oaxaca, who produced swords well through the 19th c. I have never seen the flaming bomb used in Mexican sword designs but may well derive from the strong French influence. Understandable reference to the Springfield arsenal who used this device during WWI on the M1913 Patton sword as well as other 'ordnance' materials. I cannot pull up the thread listed. A further note on this blade, the deeply channeled double fuller on the model ANXI cuirassiers sword of First Empire used 1804-1816 ran the full blade length. It does seen quite possible this might, as suggested, be a German version and perhaps during the Confederation of the Rhine 1806-1813 when Solingen was impacted by French control under Napoleon. Attached Images Last edited by Jim McDougall; Today at 04:34 AM.