Blacksmith made ? sword for I.D. and comment

[colin henshaw]

Many thanks indeed for the input on this sword. Its very pleasing to know its probably such an interesting and historic piece. So, presumably at the time of the American Revolution - the colonists lacked arms factories and blacksmiths were pressed into service making weapons... ?

I didn't mention that the blade is double-edged and of shallow diamond section.

Thanks to Mark for the references - I will pursue these.

Any recommendations about cleaning, or maybe its best to leave it as it is for the present ?

Regards

[Jim McDougall]

I think these rugged and deeply patinated items are indeed the most fascinating of historic arms, as they are the workhorses which likely saw use and probably were there in important times and events. With that I would implore you to use all restraint in the cleaning of this sword, and a light but as required use of WD40 to stabilize any active rust or corrosion. That dark patina is history quite literally embodied, and deserves to remain as the well seasoned time this sword has seen. A light coat of gun oil will act to preserve it, and keep its pride and respect.

Again, as Mark and Cutlass have noted, this sword does seem 'colonial' and of the 1780 period, but it is hard to say whether Spanish or American. It should be remembered that countless arms of Spains colonies were present throughout the Americas including our colonial regions, and were actually well represented among many international examples during the Revolution.
I think the affirmation of the hexagonal section on this blade more firmly sets this in Spanish provenance, and again the scalloped shellguard was much favored in Spanish context. The structure of the guard resembles espada anchas, and as discussed over years, many espadas with either scalloped or striated shellguards seem to have been popular in Spanish colonies in South and Central America as well as the Caribbean.

It is interesting to note that these straight DE blades typically regarded as Spanish 'dragoon' types of around mid 18th century (many earlier, see Brinckerhoff & Chamberlain) are known even to occur in the familiar Moroccan sa'if commonly termed 'nimcha' . In maritime settings, the 'Spanish Main' reached into these regions in that trade sphere as well.

Personally, and I know Mark will agree, these worn and patinated examples are my favorites, and as the sentinels of history will often share many of thier secrets, acting as your guide into history. Happy adventures !

LOL! Crossed posts Nando, gettin' a little slow these days, but I'll usually get there sooner or later

[CutlassCollector]

I have to admit I did not pick up on the diamond cross section, which would make it unlikely to be made by a US blacksmith of the period, who has suddenly been required to produce weapons for the revolution - they would I'm sure have stuck to a flat blade.
The majority of cutlasses are not normally double edged as there is not much finesse required in a sailor untrained in swordsmanship. If you are making a cutlass, a short sharp slashing club is what you're aiming for. So again I don't think a US blacksmith or cutler would have gone for double edge.

So this tends to lend support to the Spanish rather than my original thought of American colonial. Good find though and interesting thread.
CC.

ps. I know lots of swords were co-opted for use at sea but I can only think of one regulation cutlass made double edged - a short lived British variant from mid 19thC.

[Jim McDougall]

I think that the DE dragoon type blades are the result of trade blade or supply 'availability' rather than a specifically designed dynamic for these weapons. That was very much the case with three bar 'sabre' type hilts mounted with 'broadsword' blades in Mexico around the 1820s and possibly somewhat earlier. The 'dragoon' blades had been coming in from Spain since the 1770s, many if not most often had the 'draw me not without reason......' motto, and these DE blades were often reused.
Many of these blades saw many refurbishings, were actually found in some swords during the Revolutionary War' , and more often occurred in Mexican officers swords during the American war with Mexico (1846). These type blades in variation of course, turned up yet again during the Civil War, in this case often with Confederate officers who had acquired them presumably during the Mexican War (Custer acquired one allegedly from one of these officers).

The 'rounded tip' on blades is a feature favored for slashing cuts, seen on broadswords of Tuareg etc. in North Africa, and had been used earlier on sabre blades in many cases in Europe. As mentioned, these DE blades show up on the Moroccan sabres known as nimchas, and I recall often being surprised to see a 'broadsword' blade on what is ostensibly thought of as a SE sabre. This was simply because the blades were 'available' through trade.

[M ELEY]

Excellent catch on the hexagonal blade shape, Jim! I was also patiently waiting for the Master of the House to return ( ). This is your expertise, by far. The rounded tip of the blade had caught my attention, but I hadn't thought of the whole picture until you nailed it. 'Machinist' also deserves a tip of the hat. I currently have two Spanish swords with rounded tips. One is a classic bilbo type and the other, an espada with a hilt like #1 in your picture, Jim, but with a straight, double edged blade. I'm told that other European countries also, as you noted, used rounded tips on their broadswords. Colin, I am 100% with Jim on conservation. A mild cleaning is best on these type swords. Again, an excellent find!

P.S. Jim, what is the name of the volume by Adams? Is it an article from Man-at-Arms, or a book by him? I'd like to track it down. Thanks!

[Jim McDougall]

Thanks so much Mark! I have sent you a PM.