I am going to portray a Spanish Former officer of the Tercio de Morados Viejos, who lives now (around 1700) the relativly quiet live of a Spanish militia leader in southern Nueva Espana.

My question is, what sword would I carry?

My thought is, that it's to late for a typical Spanish cuphilt rapier, but would not like to carry some kind of dress sword, because that wouldn't be to practical for cutting my way through the jungle or the Buccaneers for that matter...

So any thoughts on something servicable military ano 1700..?

I have a period sword that was probably made for Spanish Colonial use. A one-piece brass grip with a basket guard. The cup hilt has Toledo markings that date it to the period c.1700-40, engraved with a large “R” surmounted with a crown in the center of the shell and a large “A” to the right. Faint engravings can still be seen on the blade, a jumping deer, Celtic-like knotwork, and a spray similar to a fleur-de-lys, but with five leaves above and below.

The sword ia a transitional piece, shorter than an average rapier. The blade has a shallow center fuller that begins 4 inches from the hilt and continue almost to the tip. Another sharp, narrow fuller follows the spine parallel to the first fuller but leaves off 2/3 of the way down the blade. Overall length: 32” Blade length: 27” Blade width at top: 1 ¼” Blade Thickness at top: ¼”. Balance point: 2 ½ inches from the hilt.

For larger and more detailed photos see:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/4947469...450002/detail/

A brass grip similar to this was identified as coming from a Spanish wreck in the early 1700’s.

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Spanish Sword c. 1700

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Hilt detail

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Hilt Closeup

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Blade Detail

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Blade Detail

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Blade Detail

Interestingly enough, Folkert,

I bought this sword from someone in the Netherlands who told me it was a Dutch sword. I figure it probably found its way there during the many entanglements your people had with Spain.

How about a Bilbo - http://www.goantiques.com/detail,antique-span...13914.html - unfortunately, not too many replicas are available.

These are cool suggestions guys thanks allready.

Any more ideas?

Thanks, I like the cuphilt broadsword thing. Very Spanish and functional for the occasion to!

Just found myself another one of this type http://faganarms.com/aspanishbroadswordc1750.aspx

What about the espada ancha? I saw several at the Museum of the Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe. Check this out:

http://www.vikingsword.com/ethsword/espadaan/index.html

or maybe just a windlass bilbo ?
fine looks, and the price will be ok ~ 260 $

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The problem with that Windlass Bilbo, is that I believe that particular version is closer to 1800 than 1700.

Those esapada anchas -- that's what people were using in the New World, but they sure are ugly.

The Windlass is a 1796 Spainish Heavy Cavlary Sword