Machete and Dagger for Spanish Officer in Cuba. Circa 1890

This machete and dagger set is a piece from the late 19th century, in really good condition. The machete is a magnificent piece, with hand-engraved steel grip and original dark brown leather scabbard. The dagger, on the other hand, is quite simpler and smaller in size and has brown leather-covered grip. Both weapons are well preserved, especially the machete that boast a wonderful look. The machetes ricasso (part of the blade close to the grip) bears an engraved inscription that reads: THEILE & QUACK, ELBERFELD GARANTIZADO (this last word means Guaranteed in Spanish). This German maker was one of the around twenty factories that supplied the Spanish Army (and also the Cuban army) with strong and beautiful non official machetes during the war of Cuba. Other German makers were Fernando Esser, also from Elberfeld, and Weyerfeld from Solingen. The machetes grip is highly attractive: it is made of steel and its shape is stylized and elegant. The pommel curls to create a lovely volute and the grip is decorated with a rare and fine hand-engraved motive that imitates fish scales. The cross-guard is narrow and long and one of its ends joins the guard; the other end curves downward and is trimmed by a flower-shaped detail engraved in the metal. The scabbard has a steel locket decorated with a gorgeous medal with a face engraved inside; this piece also preserves the original metal head. As antique as stunningly beautiful, this machete and dagger set will shine in a room designed to exhibit the best collection of arms Measurements: Machete: Total Length: 33 in/84 cm. Blade: 27.9 in/71 cm. Dagger: 6.8 in/17.5 cm. Medidas: Hoja: 71 cm. Machete (con empuñadura): 85 cm.