Swords in the Mexican Revolution 1910-1921

Jim McDougall · 8th April 2025, 04:07 PM

In addition to the previously noted types of swords, there were likely many examples of much earlier variations of swords which had been in families for generations. There also seems to have been many cases of swords either simply remounted blades, or even examples made up of composite sword elements.

In examples of swords from later in the 19th c into the 20th, there were often 'dichos' (mottos, sayings or phrases) inscribed into the blades. In some cases there were names such as on this example (from Drac2 a year ago) which is a remounted blade and fabricated hilt.
The name is Luis Padilla and SAYULA, which is a town in Jalisco (south of Guadalajara, and could be the name of an individual, or perhaps the person who fabricated the sword.

As noted earlier, whether swords were indeed used or not, they seem to have been regarded as part of the attire of men in the sense of a mark of formidable intent or authority. In remote rural areas such weapons might have been quite simple and refabricated, but still bearing the same kind of representation.

The Revolution of course had both North and South theaters, so these kinds of weapons were likely with men participating in actions in either. Though typically versions of 'saddle swords' worn by charros, they seem to have been ubiquitous before and well through the Revolution well into the 20th c.
Woodward writing on Mexican swords in 1946 interviewed many of these men noting these types of swords.

8th April 2025, 04:07 PM	#13
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Sundry other swords likely in use In addition to the previously noted types of swords, there were likely many examples of much earlier variations of swords which had been in families for generations. There also seems to have been many cases of swords either simply remounted blades, or even examples made up of composite sword elements. In examples of swords from later in the 19th c into the 20th, there were often 'dichos' (mottos, sayings or phrases) inscribed into the blades. In some cases there were names such as on this example (from Drac2 a year ago) which is a remounted blade and fabricated hilt. The name is Luis Padilla and SAYULA, which is a town in Jalisco (south of Guadalajara, and could be the name of an individual, or perhaps the person who fabricated the sword. As noted earlier, whether swords were indeed used or not, they seem to have been regarded as part of the attire of men in the sense of a mark of formidable intent or authority. In remote rural areas such weapons might have been quite simple and refabricated, but still bearing the same kind of representation. The Revolution of course had both North and South theaters, so these kinds of weapons were likely with men participating in actions in either. Though typically versions of 'saddle swords' worn by charros, they seem to have been ubiquitous before and well through the Revolution well into the 20th c. Woodward writing on Mexican swords in 1946 interviewed many of these men noting these types of swords. Attached Images