Spanish Colonial Bilbo Broadsword, Early 18th C

Description

The bilbo was a type of cup-hilted sword carried primarily by the Spanish and Portuguese from the 17^th to the 19^th Centuries, and thought to be a favorite weapon of pirates. It’s heyday covered the era of the Golden Age of Piracy. This example featuring plain hemispherical cup guard; thick, straight quillons with ball finials; integrally forged knuckle bow joining the base of the small capstan pommel with a ring fitting over the blade tang. Original bulbous wood grip with incised vertical lines and iron base ferrule, split through and held together with brass wire at the top. Tapering 25 1/4” (64 cm) double-edged blade of lens section with three shallow fullers (worn). Blade with signs of significant use, showing evidence of multiple sharpenings and a number of edge nicks from blade strikes. The relatively short blade of this sword is designed for the close quarters fighting aboard ship. Metal with dark patina and scattered pitting; cup with dents and forging flaws (see photo). Overall length 31” (78.4 cm). Formerly in the War Museum Collection, this exact sword is pictured in TREASURES OF THE CARIBBEAN”, by Rodney Hilton Brown, on page 313.