The Espada Ancha Myth

Jim McDougall · 27th June 2022, 07:02 AM

The espada ancha 'type' of hilts with full length blades were found in the southern sectors of New Spain as well as Caribbean and into South America. These regions were part of the "Spanish Main" still quite active in 19th c.
With that being the case, note the Arab influence with the 'hand nock' in the hilt near pommel, as seen on Moroccan sa'if (nimcha).
This may derive from trade activity from Spanish colonial areas in Morocco of course. The striated shell guards much favored in Spanish colonial hilts also are part of the hilt character.

The second one with larger bowl type striated shell guard is of a form seen in Brazilian regions in first half 19th c. Many Spanish colonial swords in these groups have English blades from c. 1800-10.

Other Spanish colonial swords such as the Caribbean cup hilt and bilbo prevailed in these regions as well in these periods.

The first pics are the version with smaller shell guard.
second the larger bowl type guard
Note the similar character of star type motif, striations. I have seen examples of the bowl guard type with inside langet similar to the first example shown here.
The Moroccan 'nimcha' is shown to illustrate the 'hand nock'.

27th June 2022, 07:02 AM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	The espada ancha 'type' of hilts with full length blades were found in the southern sectors of New Spain as well as Caribbean and into South America. These regions were part of the "Spanish Main" still quite active in 19th c. With that being the case, note the Arab influence with the 'hand nock' in the hilt near pommel, as seen on Moroccan sa'if (nimcha). This may derive from trade activity from Spanish colonial areas in Morocco of course. The striated shell guards much favored in Spanish colonial hilts also are part of the hilt character. The second one with larger bowl type striated shell guard is of a form seen in Brazilian regions in first half 19th c. Many Spanish colonial swords in these groups have English blades from c. 1800-10. Other Spanish colonial swords such as the Caribbean cup hilt and bilbo prevailed in these regions as well in these periods. The first pics are the version with smaller shell guard. second the larger bowl type guard Note the similar character of star type motif, striations. I have seen examples of the bowl guard type with inside langet similar to the first example shown here. The Moroccan 'nimcha' is shown to illustrate the 'hand nock'. Attached Images