Need Help with Sword/Bowie

[R. Porter]

This is pure speculation: I'm guessing the wooden grip was changed whenever the blade shape was altered. It's odd how the attractive spiral grooves either never extended all around the handle or were worn off. I don't think they were ever complete.

A grip where one side has grooves and the other side is smooth appears on short swords. Usually I see it on swords with all-brass hilts like some German patterns, but it shows up elsewhere too.

 

[35th MA InfRegt]

Strictly as a matter of personal opinion, I have never liked any knife, sword or other blade with a D-Guard. They just don't appeal to me visually. They make the whole thing look unbalanced. That said, practicality should always trump aesthitics.

 

[ironmannf]

You can lead a horse to water… there is no doubt it is an espada ancha. If you choose to google the term looking for prices you'll see them often listed in the $400.00 and up price range. It most likely dates before the American Civil War.

I checked out the espada ancha and I see what you mean regarding its attributes. I wasn't worried about the value too much; I'm just happy that I'm not upside down into it. Like I stated earlier I'm going to pass it down to my daughter because she likes knifes and swords for some reason. If this knife/sword/espada ancha turns out to be from the Mexican War that would be fantastic because I collect everything from Revolutionary War to WWII. How old do you think it is?

 

[ironmannf]

Strictly as a matter of personal opinion, I have never liked any knife, sword or other blade with a D-Guard. They just don't appeal to me visually. They make the whole thing look unbalanced. That said, practicality should always trump aesthitics.

It's definitely unbalanced for sure; it's nose heavy weighing 2lbs 13oz. Definitely nothing like a modern machete that's for sure.

 

[JackADriscoll]

You can lead a horse to water… there is no doubt it is an espada ancha. If you choose to google the term looking for prices you'll see them often listed in the $400.00 and up price range. It most likely dates before the American Civil War.

No need for that horse stuff. This is just a discussion about his find

 

[ironmannf]

Thank you everyone so much for all your help and comments! You all have given me more than I expected and much to think about. Once again, thank you so much!

 

[R. Porter]

No need for that horse stuff. This is just a discussion about his find

Well the saying goes, you can lead a horse to water, but an elephant has to pack his trunk - Groucho Marx.

 

[Grim Sentinels Research]

Found this illustration while scrolling and thought the gentleman on the left is holding something similar to the OP's item by the look of the guard, although it is a bit different.

Found in "Battles and Leaders of the Civil War"; Volume I; Page 349; by Robert Underwood Johnson
Weblink: https://archive.org/details/battlesleadersof01cent/page/349