ESPADA ANCHAS
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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