Unusual 19th C Spanish sword

Ian · 24th February 2026, 01:51 PM

This one sold at auction recently. It has an unusual recurved blade (based on a yataghan perhaps) that I have seen also on Spanish Colonial pieces, presumably emulating this Spanish original. I would like to have a more complete understanding of this Spanish sword than what was provided by the auction house.

The auction was titled: "1880 SPANISH CALVARY [sic] SWORD"

And the description was : "ROYAL ORDNANCE FACTORY, SPANISH CAVALRY SWORD, NO SCABBARD. 28 3/4" L."

The blade is inscribed: "ANT(superscript)A FAB(superscript)A DE TOLEDO 1888."
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Ian · 24th February 2026, 02:14 PM

Another example posted on Reddit.
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Ian · 24th February 2026, 02:21 PM

And one described as a Spanish artillery sword, 1881.
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Jim McDougall · Yesterday, 07:59 PM

Really interesting Ian! and while it is indeed apparently a 'sword' it resembles sword bayonets of the last quarter 19th century, yet there are obviously no fixtures etc. for attachment to rifle.

There seem to have been some close parallels between short swords in the military and bayonets in the 19th century, particularly with the 'sword bayonet' which appears to have come about just prior to mid century. The Enfield example posted is the c.1856 version , and while clearly not the exact match, the overall image of the sword does seem to mimic the bayonet style hilt.
The second example is also 1856 issue for contemporary Martini-Henry rifle but with 'yataghan' style blade. Actually both seem to have this type blade but the point was to show the potential for bayonets for both rifles reflecting the hilt image seen in this sword.

The idea of bayonets and military other ranks side arms was intended to be austere and functional so the general appearance seems quite aligned.

By analogy, in Afghanistan post 2nd Afghan War in late 1880s, the British were subsidizing Afghan industry and in Kabul the factory known as the Machin Khana was developed to produce primarily British Enfield rifles.

With this, an interesting regulation type short sword evolved which by the appearance of the hilt, had the same hilt styling and appearance in degree of the bayonets of sword type presumably from the Enfield rifles. This seemed very much in concert with the rifles being produced, however it is unclear whether these swords were made in the factory itself or adjacent shops. This example is dated 1893, and with state mark.

While I have not found direct evidence of the manufacture of these in the Machin Khana or surrounding shop complex, they typically bear the Afghan state mark of the Mazar i Sharif. Some of these hilts also were placed on traditional tribal Khyber knives to be issued as well to tribal levies serving with British army.

While obviously this comparison is just that, it is interesting to see the styling of sword bayonets used in that of regulation military sidearms.

24th February 2026, 01:51 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,664	Unusual 19th C Spanish sword This one sold at auction recently. It has an unusual recurved blade (based on a yataghan perhaps) that I have seen also on Spanish Colonial pieces, presumably emulating this Spanish original. I would like to have a more complete understanding of this Spanish sword than what was provided by the auction house. The auction was titled: "1880 SPANISH CALVARY [sic] SWORD" And the description was : "ROYAL ORDNANCE FACTORY, SPANISH CAVALRY SWORD, NO SCABBARD. 28 3/4" L." The blade is inscribed: "ANT(superscript)A FAB(superscript)A DE TOLEDO 1888." . Attached Images

24th February 2026, 02:14 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,664	Another example posted on Reddit. . Attached Images

24th February 2026, 02:21 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,664	And one described as a Spanish artillery sword, 1881. . Attached Images

Yesterday, 07:59 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,814	Really interesting Ian! and while it is indeed apparently a 'sword' it resembles sword bayonets of the last quarter 19th century, yet there are obviously no fixtures etc. for attachment to rifle. There seem to have been some close parallels between short swords in the military and bayonets in the 19th century, particularly with the 'sword bayonet' which appears to have come about just prior to mid century. The Enfield example posted is the c.1856 version , and while clearly not the exact match, the overall image of the sword does seem to mimic the bayonet style hilt. The second example is also 1856 issue for contemporary Martini-Henry rifle but with 'yataghan' style blade. Actually both seem to have this type blade but the point was to show the potential for bayonets for both rifles reflecting the hilt image seen in this sword. The idea of bayonets and military other ranks side arms was intended to be austere and functional so the general appearance seems quite aligned. By analogy, in Afghanistan post 2nd Afghan War in late 1880s, the British were subsidizing Afghan industry and in Kabul the factory known as the Machin Khana was developed to produce primarily British Enfield rifles. With this, an interesting regulation type short sword evolved which by the appearance of the hilt, had the same hilt styling and appearance in degree of the bayonets of sword type presumably from the Enfield rifles. This seemed very much in concert with the rifles being produced, however it is unclear whether these swords were made in the factory itself or adjacent shops. This example is dated 1893, and with state mark. While I have not found direct evidence of the manufacture of these in the Machin Khana or surrounding shop complex, they typically bear the Afghan state mark of the Mazar i Sharif. Some of these hilts also were placed on traditional tribal Khyber knives to be issued as well to tribal levies serving with British army. While obviously this comparison is just that, it is interesting to see the styling of sword bayonets used in that of regulation military sidearms. Attached Images Last edited by Jim McDougall; Yesterday at 08:14 PM.