Spanish 1728 Bilbo Cavalry Sword Review
Aug 3, 2021 20:22:39 GMT
Post by jack88 on Aug 3, 2021 20:22:39 GMT
Good afternoon everyone, welcome to my second sword review of my collection.
This is my 1728 model "Bilbo" Cavalry Troopers sword
Translation:
"Lieutenant and soldier belonging to the Queen Line Cavalry Regiment, which was created on 22 May 1703 and from that moment, by royal privilege, had to precede all the others Cavalry regiments. They wore a scarlet color with blue ruffles and silver braid, the officer (standard bearer) wears breeches red and blue soldier. Fernando VI in 1746 married María Bárbara de Braganza, which gave rise to a new banner for this regiment, which was of crimson velvet and finished in two ends, in the center of the obverse the real arms of Fernando VI and in the reverse those of Portugal. The cavalry at this time used swords model 1728, called "horse's mouth", being for troops the ammunition, that is, property of the king and therefore with its corresponding real brands. The hawks could be straight or curved in the opposite direction."
Background:
In the Royal Ordinance of July 12, 1728, a sword model is already required for the Cavalry, swords that "must be uniform in all respects to those of new factory, without any Regiment or Company, being separated from its shape, size and weight, regulating that of each mounted sword at three pounds and six ounces, and without sheath two and half pounds; its length will be five spans that are divided into: six fingers the spike, divided one for the cross, four for the fist, and one for the pommel; three fingers of ricasso; and the remaining four hands and three fingers for the blade. The garnish should be of two shells and of one piece, and the cross of another. The sheet has to be emptied, three tables, and at the beginning of the garrison very little more than two fingers, and three fingers from the tip, finger and middle; decreasing its width proportionally from one to another brand". Judging by the “new factory” rating, this sword model has to be considered introduced then, and since its description practically coincides with the illustrated in the Artillery Treatise plates, made between 1787 and 1793, concludes that this model remained without significant variations until around 1802.
Translation:
"GARNISH: iron, formed by a double asymmetric shell, two hawks turned into opposite directions and another two towards the ricasso to contact the "mustache" where the shell by means of screws. Arched ring and pommel with short knob. Wooden handle, with ferrule
at each end, wired with copper twine (sometimes brass, iron or nickel silver) and the presence of four lateral reinforcing ribs or bars.
LEAF: straight, with short mustache following three tables to the tip.
REGISTRATION: R (real property) Cs. III (Carlos III) T (Toledo) 1779
This "Bilbo" sword was in fact the first standardized Spanish cavalry model; however, similar variations with shell guards generally in rapier form had been in existence for hundreds of years in Spain and is the quintessential Spanish sword we all think of when thinking of the Spanish Empire. Many of these swords were previously made in and marked "ALEMANIA" for Germany."
Another common signature on the blade of the older copies is "E.N.R.I.Q.V.E. (Enrique Spanish for Heinrich) C.O.E.E.L. (Col)" Signifying Heinrich Col of Solingen who made blades for the Spanish circa 1620.
The term "Bilbo" is an English-speaking catch-all phrase for all Spanish swords imported from Northern Spain and is a take on the Basque city of Bilbao. The two asymmetrical shell guards (another nickname is the sword of shells) of the hilt make it a cavalry sword (Espada de montar), for which the Spanish had a name for this type of sword "Boca de Caballo" or "horse's mouth."
These swords were exported in large numbers to the New World, where everyone from Spanish/English soldiers/sailors to Pirates put them to use.
The scabbard is newly made by Jesse Belsky who did a great job using this diagram:
My Sword:
Specs:
Overall length: 43 inches
Blade length: 35 3/4 inches
POB: 3 inches from hilt, very back heavy sword!
Weight: 2.6 lbs
My version of the sword has bent quillons rather than the straight on the earlier models. The grip is in incredible shape, and the entire sword overall has been carefully cleaned even on the backside of the shells, which is notoriously a difficult place to remove rust. This sword looks a little different than it did the day it was issued.
The Royale stamp with the remnants of the crown can be seen just above the guard there meaning this was issued into royal service.
The IV is for Carlos (Charles) IV, the King of Spain from 1788-1808. I am unsure about the possible "C" with the "S" internal. I believe this simply means Cavalry. Some of which is elucidated in this article:
www.catalogacionarmas.com/public/49-Conchas.pdf
"In my opinion, during the period between 1728 and 1801 the swords that of Ordinance equipped the Cavalry, Royal Corps Guards and Carabinieri Real, they were of the same type, its hilt with metallic pieces of iron, shell garnish and double-edged broad blade, produced on behalf of the king as ammunition weapons, and in "Officer variants" for sale to the aforementioned "Individuals". I only consider the unquestionable identification of the ammunition feasible in the production of the Toledo Factory, with sheets that include the name of the monarch or his royal figure, CARLOS III or C.III until 1788, and C.IV from the latter date, and the inscription CAVALLERIA or C. as belonging to the Cavalry, or else Rs. Gs. D CORPS or CARABINEs. Rs. for these Corps of the Royal House"
TO signifies the blade was made in Toledo. 1790 is the date of creation. These swords saw continual service until no longer considered "fashionable" as the French Napoleonic blades began their supremacy. The Spanish, who were friendly to France, wanted to copy them militarily in every way considering their success.
The guard provides excellent hand protection even for a large hand.
I do not think it was intended for this use, but these upper rings are very comfortable for the pointer finger to rest in. I then found it much easier to control the tip of the sword than having my entire hand crammed into the handle (I doubt these Spaniards had as large of hands as I do).
At 2.7 lbs, this sword is reasonably light for what it is. What must be remarked upon is how flexibility there is to the blade. The Spanish considered this evidence of the strength of the blade. Toledo was world-renowned for its bladesmithing, even impressing the Japanese, who made sure to stop at the Toledo forges on their first Embassy to Europe. This sword is the last gasp of colonial power into the 18th century, just shy of the 19th century, a throwback to the peak of the power of the Spanish Empire and, thanks to Jesse Belsky, a complete sword. With the new scabbard, I could see it easily mistaken for a replica, given the incredible shape it is in for a 230-year-old sword.
Thanks for reading!
This is my 1728 model "Bilbo" Cavalry Troopers sword
Translation:
"Lieutenant and soldier belonging to the Queen Line Cavalry Regiment, which was created on 22 May 1703 and from that moment, by royal privilege, had to precede all the others Cavalry regiments. They wore a scarlet color with blue ruffles and silver braid, the officer (standard bearer) wears breeches red and blue soldier. Fernando VI in 1746 married María Bárbara de Braganza, which gave rise to a new banner for this regiment, which was of crimson velvet and finished in two ends, in the center of the obverse the real arms of Fernando VI and in the reverse those of Portugal. The cavalry at this time used swords model 1728, called "horse's mouth", being for troops the ammunition, that is, property of the king and therefore with its corresponding real brands. The hawks could be straight or curved in the opposite direction."
Background:
In the Royal Ordinance of July 12, 1728, a sword model is already required for the Cavalry, swords that "must be uniform in all respects to those of new factory, without any Regiment or Company, being separated from its shape, size and weight, regulating that of each mounted sword at three pounds and six ounces, and without sheath two and half pounds; its length will be five spans that are divided into: six fingers the spike, divided one for the cross, four for the fist, and one for the pommel; three fingers of ricasso; and the remaining four hands and three fingers for the blade. The garnish should be of two shells and of one piece, and the cross of another. The sheet has to be emptied, three tables, and at the beginning of the garrison very little more than two fingers, and three fingers from the tip, finger and middle; decreasing its width proportionally from one to another brand". Judging by the “new factory” rating, this sword model has to be considered introduced then, and since its description practically coincides with the illustrated in the Artillery Treatise plates, made between 1787 and 1793, concludes that this model remained without significant variations until around 1802.
Translation:
"GARNISH: iron, formed by a double asymmetric shell, two hawks turned into opposite directions and another two towards the ricasso to contact the "mustache" where the shell by means of screws. Arched ring and pommel with short knob. Wooden handle, with ferrule
at each end, wired with copper twine (sometimes brass, iron or nickel silver) and the presence of four lateral reinforcing ribs or bars.
LEAF: straight, with short mustache following three tables to the tip.
REGISTRATION: R (real property) Cs. III (Carlos III) T (Toledo) 1779
This "Bilbo" sword was in fact the first standardized Spanish cavalry model; however, similar variations with shell guards generally in rapier form had been in existence for hundreds of years in Spain and is the quintessential Spanish sword we all think of when thinking of the Spanish Empire. Many of these swords were previously made in and marked "ALEMANIA" for Germany."
Another common signature on the blade of the older copies is "E.N.R.I.Q.V.E. (Enrique Spanish for Heinrich) C.O.E.E.L. (Col)" Signifying Heinrich Col of Solingen who made blades for the Spanish circa 1620.
The term "Bilbo" is an English-speaking catch-all phrase for all Spanish swords imported from Northern Spain and is a take on the Basque city of Bilbao. The two asymmetrical shell guards (another nickname is the sword of shells) of the hilt make it a cavalry sword (Espada de montar), for which the Spanish had a name for this type of sword "Boca de Caballo" or "horse's mouth."
These swords were exported in large numbers to the New World, where everyone from Spanish/English soldiers/sailors to Pirates put them to use.
The scabbard is newly made by Jesse Belsky who did a great job using this diagram:
My Sword:
Specs:
Overall length: 43 inches
Blade length: 35 3/4 inches
POB: 3 inches from hilt, very back heavy sword!
Weight: 2.6 lbs
My version of the sword has bent quillons rather than the straight on the earlier models. The grip is in incredible shape, and the entire sword overall has been carefully cleaned even on the backside of the shells, which is notoriously a difficult place to remove rust. This sword looks a little different than it did the day it was issued.
The Royale stamp with the remnants of the crown can be seen just above the guard there meaning this was issued into royal service.
The IV is for Carlos (Charles) IV, the King of Spain from 1788-1808. I am unsure about the possible "C" with the "S" internal. I believe this simply means Cavalry. Some of which is elucidated in this article:
www.catalogacionarmas.com/public/49-Conchas.pdf
"In my opinion, during the period between 1728 and 1801 the swords that of Ordinance equipped the Cavalry, Royal Corps Guards and Carabinieri Real, they were of the same type, its hilt with metallic pieces of iron, shell garnish and double-edged broad blade, produced on behalf of the king as ammunition weapons, and in "Officer variants" for sale to the aforementioned "Individuals". I only consider the unquestionable identification of the ammunition feasible in the production of the Toledo Factory, with sheets that include the name of the monarch or his royal figure, CARLOS III or C.III until 1788, and C.IV from the latter date, and the inscription CAVALLERIA or C. as belonging to the Cavalry, or else Rs. Gs. D CORPS or CARABINEs. Rs. for these Corps of the Royal House"
TO signifies the blade was made in Toledo. 1790 is the date of creation. These swords saw continual service until no longer considered "fashionable" as the French Napoleonic blades began their supremacy. The Spanish, who were friendly to France, wanted to copy them militarily in every way considering their success.
The guard provides excellent hand protection even for a large hand.
I do not think it was intended for this use, but these upper rings are very comfortable for the pointer finger to rest in. I then found it much easier to control the tip of the sword than having my entire hand crammed into the handle (I doubt these Spaniards had as large of hands as I do).
At 2.7 lbs, this sword is reasonably light for what it is. What must be remarked upon is how flexibility there is to the blade. The Spanish considered this evidence of the strength of the blade. Toledo was world-renowned for its bladesmithing, even impressing the Japanese, who made sure to stop at the Toledo forges on their first Embassy to Europe. This sword is the last gasp of colonial power into the 18th century, just shy of the 19th century, a throwback to the peak of the power of the Spanish Empire and, thanks to Jesse Belsky, a complete sword. With the new scabbard, I could see it easily mistaken for a replica, given the incredible shape it is in for a 230-year-old sword.
Thanks for reading!
