At least once, we’ve all seen or heard about Logan, the superhero better known as Wolverine, famous for his deadly adamantium claws. Well, there was a historical figure who, much like the brutal member of the X-Men, fought, not with metal alloy claws, but with blades in place of his hands. His name was Galvarino (1490–1557).

Galvarino was a native warrior from the Mapuche tribe, which inhabited the Araucanía region in what is now Chile. After a peaceful youth and life, trouble began for him and his people with the arrival of European settlers, particularly the Spanish. Specifically, the invasion of Chile in 1543 by the conquistador Diego de Almagro marked the start of the "Arauco Wars," fought between the Mapuche and the Spaniards.

As a great warrior, Galvarino led 150 Mapuche fighters in an attempt to repel the invaders but was captured by the Spanish nobleman García Hurtado de Mendoza. As punishment for his rebellion, he was sentenced to have his nose and right hand amputated, though in the end, both of his hands were severed. Upon being released, burning with a thirst for revenge, Galvarino resolved to continue fighting. He had blades fastened to his stumps and was eventually named leader of a Mapuche squadron after convincing his tribal chief, through his wounds and tears, that justice had to be served for both himself and his people.

"He arrived, commanding like a sergeant and rallying his men with these words: '[...] Those you are about to fight cut them off, and they will do the same to anyone they capture. No one shall flee, but must die, die defending your homeland.' He stepped to the front of the squadron and, with a powerful voice, declared that he would be the first to die and that, even without hands, he would do what was necessary with his teeth."

With this courage and determination, Galvarino fought in the Battle of Millarapue against the very man who had maimed him Mendoza. After an hour of fierce combat, the Spaniards’ superior numbers became evident. Mendoza captured 8,000 Mapuche warriors, killing 300. The heroic Galvarino was also captured and was ultimately hanged.