Published Spanish Colonial Bilbo Broadsword, Early 18th C

The bilbo was a type of cup-hilted sword carried primarily by the Spanish and Portuguese from the 17th to the 19th 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 4 1/8” diameter hemispherical cup guard with double incised lines at the top edge; thick, straight, cylindrical quillons with turned ball finials. Integrally forged knuckle bow attaching to the blade tang below the small brass bun-shaped pommel. Original wood grip with incised diagonal lines (never had wrap). Double-edged 24” (61 cm) blade with sharp point and short, slender central fuller; the thick ricasso with incised skull and crossbones on one side. The bilbo was a common weapon in Spanish Colonial lands and the Caribbean, and thought to be a favorite weapon of pirates. The short blade of this example designed for the close quarters fighting aboard ship. Overall length 30” (76 cm). This exact sword pictured and described in “TREASURES OF THE CARIBBEAN”, by Rodney Hilton Brown, on page 258. Formerly in the War Museum Collection.