Machete or sword??

[AlbyM]

Hi all, I found this rusted blade at a site that goes all the way from Spanish colonial to the gold rush '49ers. I think it's a machete but my buddy thinks it could be a sword (broken off, of course). What do you think? Or is it impossible to tell because of the condition?

 

[Big Treble]

I'm thinking machete. Appear a little thin for a sword.

 

[heronnest]

Hard to say. Are the edges definitely broken? I imagine there are a ton of machete designs.

 

[AlbyM]

Yes, this is definitely just part of the blade- it is broken off on the left side where my left hand is in the first photo, right side where my right hand is in the second photo.

Edit: Not sure that you can see clearly in the photos but there are a series of ridges running along the blade on one side (see bottom photo), which my buddy thinks may indicate a sword.

 

[Shunkaha]

Almost looks like a scythe blade.

 

[budaf250]

2nd on the scythe blade.

 

[Big Treble]

Almost looks like a scythe blade.

I was thinking that as well but the end looks finished and too short. And the ones I've used are have a pretty thick backbone ridge.

 

[Shunkaha]

I was thinking that as well but the end looks finished and too short. And the ones I've used are have a pretty thick backbone ridge.

Yeah I was just going by the shape of it. But it's hard to tell the thickness and which side is the actual cutting blade without a picture from those angels.

Could also be a broken ditch or grass blade which is a form of scythe.

Something like this:

 

[Big Treble]

Yeah I was just going by the shape of it. But it's hard to tell the thickness and which side is the actual cutting blade without a picture from those angels.

Could also be a broken ditch or grass blade which is a form of scythe.

Being from the midwest my first thought was corn knife , but seeing the location of the OP, I thought nnaaaawww. LOL

 

[joe dert]

Almost looks like a scythe blade.

yes,..that was my thought as well

 

[SnoMover]

3rd on the scythe blade.