Spanish Short Sword
Espada ancha or wide sword of the type that was carried by the
soldados
de cuera. This crudely fashioned specimen, made with an 15 inch cut
off saber blade, was found in Canyon del Muerto in northeastern Arizona,
and dates from about 1800. Many of the short swords were made in the northern
provinces and were preferred by its soldiers to the larger cavalry saber.
The espada ancha was carried in a leather scabbard, attached to
the saddle, hilt forward, on the left side, or sometimes on a sling hung
over the soldier's right shoulder.
Sword from the collection of LESTER WARD RUFFNER, Prescott, Arizona. Photograph by BRUCE D. LINDSAY.
See Also: Swords of Mexico
and Spanish Colonial America
Spanish Cavalry Saber
The Regulations of 1772 specified that a saber of this type be carried
by the presidial soldiers. The short wide sword was more popular, but this
style also saw use in New Spain. The 36 inch double edged straight blade
bears the inscription,"for King Carlos III" on one side, and on the other,
"cavalry, 1774." The hilt is made of iron and the grip is wire wrapped.
Sometimes these swords were cut off on the frontier to make the espada
ancha.
From the BRINKERHOFF COLLECTION at the ARIZONA PIONEERS' HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Tucson. © 1965, Arizona Historical Foundation