Overview
American War was a period of armed conflict between Spain and the United States. Hostilities began in the aftermath of the internal explosion of USS Maine in Havana Harbor in Cuba, leading to United States intervention in the Cuban War of Independence. The war led to the United States emerging predominant in the Caribbean region, and resulted in U.S. acquisition of Spain's Pacific possessions. It led to United States involvement in the Philippine Revolution and later to the Philippine–American War.
The sword is often seen as being referred to as an M1881 or M1886 Yataghan Artillery Short Sword by Toledo Spain. The 23 ½” curved blade is in fair condition with some staining throughout the blade and minor pitting. The blade itself is marked with ARTA FABA DE TOLEDO 1887 for manufacture in Toledo, Spain in 1887. It has been resharpened.
Toledo swords, for centuries, when the fight depended not only on the personal ability of the fighter, but also the perfection of his weapon. Toledo swords' exceptional steel were forged into the most feared arms in the world. Their extraordinary hardness made each of these Toledo swords an invincible force in the hands of an expert swordsman. All European armies knew the superior quality of Toledo and many great warriors relied only on sabers of Toledan provenance.
According to history, more than two thousand years ago, the blacksmiths of Toledo began forging falcatas, a deadly weapon in the hands of the soldiers of Hispania, specially designed to make the wounds inflicted more fatal. Hannibal chose this type of weapon for his army.
Having been defeated by those weapons, Roman legions later adopted and supplied their centurions with the dreaded Toledan swords which aided in the later battles against Hannibal and the capture of Carthage.
The handle is made of lovely wooden grip scales which still retains most of the crosshatches carved into them. The crossguard bears a number, most likely a serial number which is 66, there may another number, but I can't see it. No other markings can be found on the hilt. Has some oxidation on the tang, guard and butt.