Saber / Sabre Atrributed to Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna

The Renwick historic Mexican officer's saber attributed to Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna
Circa 1822-1833

With 29 ½ in. curved blade with broad shallow fuller, double-edged point, partially blued panel with engraved floral sprigs and panoplies. The base gilt and engraved with indistinct signature 'P Kn...' on one side, the other side 'a ...olingen'. Silvered bronze 'D' guard decorated with simple floral the downturned quillon fluted. Front languet with Mexican Coat of Arms: the Golden Eagle with snake on cactus pedestal surmounted by starburst Phrygian cap. The back languet with Phrygian cap over starburst. Eagle head pommel. Spirally fluted one-piece bone grip with copper wire binding. Silvered brass scabbard with floral and border engraving. Drag. Sling ring mounts in relief with the arms of Mexico. Quadrilateral panel at throat with antique commemorative inscription ' Lo de Sta Anna/ Presidente/Mexico/1833'
Condition: Very Good. Only traces of silver remain on the bronze and brass. The bone grip with small cracks and chips. The copper wire replaced. The blade bent and with partial fracture as such the blade does not completely enter the scabbard.

Santa Anna was one of the most revered and reviled leaders in Mexican History. Having served as president of Mexico a total of eleven times he also spent much time in exile, and was tried for treason for attempting to reestablish the Bourbon dynasty in Mexico. He is best known to students of American history as the military leader who led the assault against the Alamo and the Massacre at Goliad. In retaliation, Sam Houston defeated Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836.

Santa Anna presumably owned many swords over his career. This sword possibly was carried as his field sword sometime shortly after independence from Spain.

Stylistically, the sword was almost certainly made in France. The signature on the base of the German import blade is probably Peter Knecht of Solingen (1825-1850).

Provenance: William Goodwin Renwick, Exhibited on loan at the Arizona History Museum, Tucson, Arizona from 1947-1976.

William G. Renwick was one of the largest and greatest arms collectors of all time. Renwick owned numerous arms that had once belonged to historical personages such as George Washington, Louis XIII of France, Buffalo Bill Cody and Simon Bolivar. A selection of European firearms alone from Renwick's collection was offered in a series of ten sales at Sotheby's from 1972 to 1975. Many of his American pieces were offered at a number of auctions at Sotheby's in Los Angeles. A large portion of his the collection was donated to the Smithsonian institution.

Source: www.bonhams.com/auctions/19414/lot/6048/