Arms, Armor and Militaria Online

37.5" single edged, reverse tapered hatchet tip blade with a 20.5" central fuller. 0.8" wide at the ricasso, 1.1875" wide at tip. Overall length 42.75". 5.5" hilt with German silver clamshell guard and rectangular knuckle bow. Face of guard with what appears to be a Spanish coat of arms. Finger grooved grip with horn or tortoise shell grip scales. Partially blued blade with the motto: No Me Saques Sin Razon on the obverse and No Me Enbaines Sin Honor on the reverse; translating to the classic "Draw me not without reason, sheath me not without honor." The design of these machete swords likely originated in the Philippines and became popular with the Cuban militia during the late 18th to mid-19th century. Most examples in the US are believed to be Spanish-American War bring back trophies. This example is likely late 19th or early 20th century.

According to a translation of the information provided about these machetes from the Palacio de Segundo Cabo website, The Guanabacoa machete, also known as the "shell" or "ribbon" machete, was produced in the forges of the Havana district from which it takes its name, and was a weapon that stood out for its design. This type of weapon reveals the Hispanic influence in its uniqueness. It was in vogue well into the first half of the 19th century. It was used by the militias led by the mayor (councillor) Pepe Antonio during the attack and siege of Havana by the English in 1762. It was characterized by being elongated - more than other machete models used on the island - as well as by the quality of its steel and the peculiar shapes of its handle, which makes it easily recognizable. It was very common for its blade to have distinctive symbols, factory marks, as well as the name of the craftsman who forged it, engraved on it. Its total length is estimated at around 90 cm. The Cuban novelist Cirilo Villaverde described it as: "A piece of furniture of pure luxury and cost (…) whose silver handle with tortoiseshell plates, decorated with a shell of that metal, was studded with stones, which were precious only in name; imitating the emerald, the amethyst and the topaz, being of the latter all those that crowned the knob."