As noted, a fascinating topic, and while the discussion of armor used in the wild west, targeted at discovering evidence of gunfighters using bulletproof vests continues, this use by American Indians is really interesting.
The book mentioned, "Native North American Armor, Shields and Fortifications" by David E. Jones looks like a great resource. It seems well established that many of the Northwest Indian tribes and 'Eskimo' groups as well used body armor that was of somewhat heavy construction. The use of body protection among American Indian tribes, especially plains and Southwest, seems less known.
"Native American Weapons" by Colin F. Taylor, is another great resource, and describes some of the instances, mostly which seem focused on variations of leather. The Comanches were known to have worn leather armor from c.1700-1750, and its use was certainly much wider spread than that as tribes they traded with were Pawnee and Wichita.
One of the most intriguing characters celebrated in American Indian history was Chief Pohibit Quasha (also called 'iron shirt'). Coincidentally he was given this nickname as he seemed impervious to bullets, and it was not until he was brought down by a .58 cal. Henry 'buffalo rifle' in 1858 that his source of invincibility was revealed. He apparantly wore an old Spanish breastplate, believed of the 'conquistador' period, under his shirt. A shot was fired from the side, indicating this was the front plate only, and his vulnerable side was open.
Actually, the Spaniards quickly became disenchanted with the heavy, hot, and typically not readily available iron armor, and began using heavy leather coverings (cuerra) and eventually the mounted soldiers became known as 'soldadas de cuerro'. Interestingly, the use of such leather armor seems to derive from the 'escuapil' (padded cloth or leather) used by the Aztecs, at least in the New World. Certainly such types of leather armor were well known in Europe and into Asia much earlier.
With the advent of firearms in the 18th century, Native American use of leather body covering seems to have largely been abandoned, however its use ceremonially and by ranking individuals continued with leather shirts and garments.
I once thought it was interesting if old Spanish armor might have been used by various tribal warriors, however the case of Chief 'Iron Shirt' seems to have been singular. Studies on the Spanish 'conquistadors' (a term not even applied to them until at least a century after they were gone) reveal that large numbers of such components were probably not that common.
'Hollywood' has understandably seized on these thoughts and the character allegedly based on Chief 'Iron Shirt' appears in 'The Comancheros' with John Wayne. "Dancing with Wolves" of course has the cherished old conquistador helmet shown in one scene being admired by the warriors. These morions, like the term conquistador itself, seem to have antedated these Spanish explorers.
All best regards,
Jim
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