The Espada Ancha is generally a re-worked sword or cutlass originally made in Spain, most likely forged in Toledo, for the Spanish Armada and occuping Spanish Infantry and brought to the "New World" and along the Spanish Main.
Only 1 or 2 voyages a year from Spain were sent to support, supply and expand its "New World" colonialization efforts took place. As such the supplies needed by the occupying Spanish Conquistadors (both naval and military forces) in general and specifically weapons and armor were always in very short supply. Additionally, as Spain lost interest and wars the supply to its colonies dwindled until becoming non-existent.
Therefore whenever body armor, sword or cutlass became damaged or needed repair it was then parted-out and re-worked, re-hilted, or re-bladed locally so as to make a usable weapon. These re-worked swords and cutlasses were called "Espada Ancha", translated as Broad Sword.
In many cases new locally handforged hilts were easily made and attached to existing retained blades. The actual dates of various pieces of an "espada ancha" can possibly span hundreds of years as these weapons were cared for and prized. And today these swords are also highly prized as the represent a unique aspect of the colonization of the Americas and the American Colonial period.
It is believed that this cutlass or sword originally came out of the Spanish Carribean basin and islands/countries/territories thereof. The oreference book by Sydney Brinkerhoff, "Spanish Military Weapons in Colonial America" has extensive information and photos regarding the lineage and provenance of the Spanish Colonial Espada Ancha.
The below "Espada Ancha" appears to have been last re-worked very late 1700's to early 1800's based upon the iron hilt and leather used to cover it. The blade itself with the mystical symbols and designs puts it easily in the 1600s thru 1700s timeframe. The tip of the single-edged triple-fullered blade appears to have been ground down, perhaps it was damaged, so as to make it a clipped point, certainly the fashion in the late 18th and very early 19th century century. There is also some scripted text on both sides of the blade which we cannot discern.
| One of a kind - Each One Unique by it's Very Form and Function! Spanish colonial American sword or cutlass with blade having mystical symbols typical of the 17th/18th centuries. Most likely the hilt was handforged and blade re-used ca late 1700's to early 1800s based upon the design, condition and stitching of the leather. |
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