[fernando]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

... However, it seems now known that the attack made by Santa Anna was in early pre dawn hours, while most of the defenders were soundly asleep...

The simplest of tactics .

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

... With the Mexican guns, even the accurate estimation of the models is unclear ...

Not taking into account reportedly massive quantities of firearms left by the Spanish after independence, which seems not having been used, the basic equipment would have been British muskets with two different barrel lengths and the Baker.

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

...The Mexican forces termed these guns 'tecerlos' overall, unsure of translation...

I see it written 'tercerlos', but the correct (original) term is 'tercerola', as per Spanish dictionaries. This is the name they gave to a short version of the India pattern, which the Brits called 'Sergeants carbine'.

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

... With the Baker rifles, it would appear that these were early models, and as they were with rifled barrels, the more elite cazadores received them and were trained in marksmanship... The first models (1 and 2) were issued with a huge sword bayonet (24") which added to the weight (over 9 lbs) and made the gun overall awkward....

Heavy, ma non troppo, Jim ;
"Following the German style the Baker Rifle was designed to accept a sword-bayonet of some 24 inches long. Therefore the first bayonet for the Baker Rifle was a single-edged flat sword of 23 inches length. It was brass handled with a knuckle bow and clipped onto a muzzle bar. It weighed 2 pounds and, as later reports confirmed, created difficulties for firing when it was attached to the rifle muzzle".

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

... I have not found any specific mention of the Baker rifles with these huge sword bayonets thus far, but it seems doubtful there were many...

Yet they existed ... but in fact not all rifles were equipped with them .

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

... Regardless, as in any battle, the valor of the men of all sides remains notably recognized in these difficult and terrible circumstances...

Yes, a tribute to those who are the pawns in such games.

Attached:
Three of the few cannons that were left back in the Alamo site.


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