A Spanish colonial broadsword/cutlass

Jim McDougall · 22nd October 2018, 02:53 AM

WOW! Mark...….beautifully said, and THATS exactly what I'm talking about regarding the inherent value of most all arms comprising actual period components and trade blades etc. As a historian, as opposed to a 'collector' I look for the entire history and disposition of a weapon rather than its condition and integrity as homogenous or otherwise purely one thing or another.

The influences brought into many arms, mostly in hilts and decoration, often reflects distinct and important factors pertinent to the time the weapon was assembled and hilts fashioned.

You mention the influence of the Egyptian campaigns on British swords, and I had one of the British M1803 infantry officers lionhead sabres of the post campaign period. These had a lionhead with flowing mane and the four slot hilt of earlier British swords prior to and during the Revolutionary War.
The example I had was in every aspect the same lionhead, however......the mane was entirely in the fashion of the famed sphinx. There were other swords which carried other themes from Egypt and these campaigns.

The lionhead sword pictured in the earlier post I remember very well was yours, and a prime example of what I am saying.
It is Mexican and if I recall had the famed 'Spanish motto' on this triple fullered blade. Kirschbaum & Schimmelbusch were of course a Solingen firm working under this heading in the latter 18th century as you note.

The sword is hilted with a curious stylized lionhead of British form which reflects the seemed amalgamation of doghead as well as lionhead in character but cast in whole with representation of a mane drawn rather than in relief.

I am inclined to recall this sword as likely a Mexican officers sword from the 'Revoltionary' period (c.1820) with an earlier imported blade from Solingen. The theme of the hilt reflects the Spanish interests in the American Revolution, and possibly this style 'lionhead' may reflect that.

Each weapon has a story, and in these kinds of examples, the dynamics reach often fascinating dimension. This is something you have always known as seen in the items you have collected and shared here over many years.

Hotspur · 24th October 2018, 03:29 AM

The eagle pommel shown was an Ames type, if not truly an Ames, with the flared collar to the pommel. An 18th century Spanish cavalry blade. The Ames screaming eagle was first seen on their infantry and artillery contract pieces of the mid 1830s. It is quite possible Ames was responsible for the grip and guard casting as well but that would mean a collaboration after the Alamo but before the US war with Mexico.

I archived those images off of David Parks dealer's website in 2007. He never showed an entire overall shot of the piece but one side in sections.

The Mexicans seemed to like the Bavarian 1826 sabres as well.

Cheers
GC

David R · 29th December 2018, 12:20 AM

You would be surprised how old that blade form is, a flat shearing blade with multiple fullers. I was in a Danish museum some years ago and saw the remains of one excavated from a late Roman context. I posted about it on this site a while back. It could have been a 19th C Solingen blade, except for the Latin and the figure of Mars on the blade.

24th October 2018, 03:29 AM	#2
Hotspur Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Nipmuc USA Posts: 523	The eagle pommel shown was an Ames type, if not truly an Ames, with the flared collar to the pommel. An 18th century Spanish cavalry blade. The Ames screaming eagle was first seen on their infantry and artillery contract pieces of the mid 1830s. It is quite possible Ames was responsible for the grip and guard casting as well but that would mean a collaboration after the Alamo but before the US war with Mexico. I archived those images off of David Parks dealer's website in 2007. He never showed an entire overall shot of the piece but one side in sections. The Mexicans seemed to like the Bavarian 1826 sabres as well. Cheers GC Attached Images

22nd October 2018, 02:53 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,459	WOW! Mark...….beautifully said, and THATS exactly what I'm talking about regarding the inherent value of most all arms comprising actual period components and trade blades etc. As a historian, as opposed to a 'collector' I look for the entire history and disposition of a weapon rather than its condition and integrity as homogenous or otherwise purely one thing or another. The influences brought into many arms, mostly in hilts and decoration, often reflects distinct and important factors pertinent to the time the weapon was assembled and hilts fashioned. You mention the influence of the Egyptian campaigns on British swords, and I had one of the British M1803 infantry officers lionhead sabres of the post campaign period. These had a lionhead with flowing mane and the four slot hilt of earlier British swords prior to and during the Revolutionary War. The example I had was in every aspect the same lionhead, however......the mane was entirely in the fashion of the famed sphinx. There were other swords which carried other themes from Egypt and these campaigns. The lionhead sword pictured in the earlier post I remember very well was yours, and a prime example of what I am saying. It is Mexican and if I recall had the famed 'Spanish motto' on this triple fullered blade. Kirschbaum & Schimmelbusch were of course a Solingen firm working under this heading in the latter 18th century as you note. The sword is hilted with a curious stylized lionhead of British form which reflects the seemed amalgamation of doghead as well as lionhead in character but cast in whole with representation of a mane drawn rather than in relief. I am inclined to recall this sword as likely a Mexican officers sword from the 'Revoltionary' period (c.1820) with an earlier imported blade from Solingen. The theme of the hilt reflects the Spanish interests in the American Revolution, and possibly this style 'lionhead' may reflect that. Each weapon has a story, and in these kinds of examples, the dynamics reach often fascinating dimension. This is something you have always known as seen in the items you have collected and shared here over many years.

29th December 2018, 12:20 AM	#3
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,123	You would be surprised how old that blade form is, a flat shearing blade with multiple fullers. I was in a Danish museum some years ago and saw the remains of one excavated from a late Roman context. I posted about it on this site a while back. It could have been a 19th C Solingen blade, except for the Latin and the figure of Mars on the blade.