T o b i a s Feb 24, 2019:

origin of 'armas e bagagens' The internet consensus seems to be that the expression derives from the (1812) Convenção de Sintra.
https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convenção_de_Sintra
Can’t argue with that usage, per se: it was in print by 1818 - https://tinyurl.com/y55vbo9c
However, as a collocation, the expression was in print almost a hundred years earlier (1719).
Porem se capitular que sayam com armas, e bagagens , tocando as Caxas, as insignias estendidas, corda aceza, e com algumas pessas de Artelharia; manda o General de pois de ter todas as suas Tropas sobre as armas, que saya a guarniçam inimiga com os Officiaes na frente das Companhias , e fazem cortezias , que se lhe recebem , eo Governador da Praça way na retaguarda sendo o ultimo, eo General manda hum Esquadram que os và escoltar até o lugar ajutado.
https://tinyurl.com/1719armasebagagens p. 94
Memorias militares, pertencentes ao serviço da guerra assim terrestre como maritima
ANTONIO DO COUTO DE CASTELLO BRANCO

Juliet Attwater Feb 24, 2019:

totally agree with mario.

Tereza Rae Feb 23, 2019:

Now that I read the question more carefully I agree with Mario Freitas, as the whole paragraph is about explaining the expression 'armas e bagagens', so you must leave it in Portuguese and maybe provide a footnote with an English equivalent, like the ones suggested by Verginia Ophof or Clauwolf.

Mario Freitas Feb 23, 2019:

@ Tereza I think I posted my comment before you posted your suggestion.

Gilmar Fernandes Feb 23, 2019:

One more reliable source explaining the meaning of this European PT expression

https://www.infopedia.pt/dicionarios/lingua-portuguesa/armas

de/com armas e bagagens
com todos os seus pertences, de forma total

Tereza Rae Feb 23, 2019:

Mario, I see your point. However, I did not make up the expression that I suggested. It's a well-known expression in North American English. I agree that it doesn't relay the idea that all or most of the possessions were stolen, so maybe this information could be explained in a footnote.

Mario Freitas Feb 23, 2019:

@ Douglas You can't really translate a popular expression by making a new one up in English. The suggestions are good, but you'll have to explain the PT expression. Even if you find an equivalence, its origin will be different and the translation of the entire paragraph will make no sense. I suggest you keep it in PT and explain it in a footnote.