In Search of the Spanish Colonial 'Cuera' Armor

[fearn]

Slightly off-topic, but I need to put in the origin of the word "chaps"--those leather leg protectors worn by cowboys.

The vegetation in Spain looks a lot like the the vegetation in California, and they have their equivalent of chaparral--low dense brush. In fact, the California term came from the Basque "chaparro" (in Basque, there's an X in there somewhere, sorry), which was the Spanish scrub oak.

Chaps were worn when going through brush to protect the legs. Poor horse had to fend for himself.

I'll keep an eye open for old leather jackets. One place I'd look, Jim, is anywhere that preserves any leather whatsoever from the era preceding the Mission period. I think the reason you're not seeing a "cuera" coat is that few if any survived.

Come to think of it, what did the rancheros wear, anyway? They had to deal with indian arrows on occasion.

Best,

F

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by fearn

Slightly off-topic, but I need to put in the origin of the word "chaps"--those leather leg protectors worn by cowboys.

The vegetation in Spain looks a lot like the the vegetation in California, and they have their equivalent of chaparral--low dense brush. In fact, the California term came from the Basque "chaparro" (in Basque, there's an X in there somewhere, sorry), which was the Spanish scrub oak.

Chaps were worn when going through brush to protect the legs. Poor horse had to fend for himself.

I'll keep an eye open for old leather jackets. One place I'd look, Jim, is anywhere that preserves any leather whatsoever from the era preceding the Mission period. I think the reason you're not seeing a "cuera" coat is that few if any survived.

Come to think of it, what did the rancheros wear, anyway? They had to deal with indian arrows on occasion.

Best,

F

Thank you Fearn!! Not off topic at all. Excellent observation on the chaps, and it would certainly seem that they descended from the Spanish 'bocas' or leather leggings they wore beyond the cuerra. Actually it is great that you brought this up, as much, if not most of our western 'cowboy' heritage derives from Spanish ancestry, including of course the horse itself.
The term 'buckaroo' is from the vaqueros.

I mentioned I had been in the Sonora desert regions in Arizona last year, and while this vegetation os beautiful, especially in bloom, it is absolute murder in trying to gain passage through it. Anyone who pictures desert as desolate expanses of sand and rock has never seen anything like this!
The majestic saguaro cactuses tower above all manner of prickly pear, mesquite, and all kinds of flora I cant even recall the names of, in a dense jungle of vegetation.

As I mentioned, I think that the leather wear was as much for protection from the attack of natural forces as protection from Indian arrows, and the swords we have often discussed, the espada ancha, became more of a machete than combative weapon.

Interesting that you mention the Basques, and I found it fascinating that such a number of this unique heritage found thier way into the ranks of the Saldaos de Cuera. One of the prominant families in the Bay Area was the Berreyasa (Berelleza) family, descended from one of these soldiers c.1775 in the settlement of Alta California with Juan Bautista de Anza.

Good suggestion on the preservation locations, and I'll check with some museums. I know that the adarga shields (which were rawhide) still exist. It seems that the cuerra was typically about 7 ply of deerskin, and I'm not sure if the type of hide would determine survivability, but it seems if it was removed from the elements it should.

Interesting question on the rancheros, and I'm not sure if they might have worn the same type gear on occasion. Most of thier riding was on thier own estates in limited areas from what I understand, and they had vaqueros for wider coverage.

Thank you for the response and info Fearn !
All the best,
Jim

[M ELEY]

Hello, Jim. This is an intriguing subject and one that by coincidence, has interested me of late. I have been trying (and failing miserably) to find a copy of a book called 'The Leather Jacket Soldier' by Odie Faulk, copywrite 1971. It is long out of print and I didn't want to spend the huge price that some of the book sellers offer it for. Are you familiar with this volume or does anyone on the forum have a copy? Can they recommend it? I had a particular interest in it because it also covers the weapons and accutrements of the Spanish colonial soldiers, including thier lances, espada, leather armor, boots, spurs,etc. Anyway, thought I would mention it. Perhaps inter-library loan is called for here...

[TVV]

Here is a picture from the palace of Governors in Santa Fe, which shows a hide shield - adarga, and something next to it which I suppose might be one of those leg protectors.
Unfortunately, the museum did not have a specimen of the cuera leather jacket exhibited, as far as I recall. Maybe there is one in poor shape in the museum storage?
Regards,
Teodor

[Jim McDougall]

Thank you Teodor for posting this wonderful display at the Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe. I missed this when I was there due to a great deal of construction underway, and they clearly put together some wonderful pieces here.
The bocas and adarga are great, but I really dont believe they have the cuera. The espada ancha there was beautifully restored several years ago.

I have found that an outstanding example of cuerra is among the holdings at the Museo del Ejercito in Madrid, and it is noted that these typically carried more adornment, much of it lost from this 18th century item.
The photo is among material from the Texas historical group preserving this magnificent history, The Second Flying Company of Alamo de Parras.


18th Century 'cuerra' armour of the soldados de cuero:

[celtan]

Hi Guys,

Is it tied on the sides?

Could Ponchos be a poorman's version of the cuera, protecting its wearer from the "ortigas" and cactuses?

Best

Manuel


BTW, JIm, pleeze do contribute to my shipping question...

[fearn]

Great find Jim! Glad you found one.

Hi Celtan,

Checking good ol' wikipedia (link) confirmed my guess that the Poncho was originally Peruvian, although it's now worn around the world.

Best,

F

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by celtan

Hi Guys,

Is it tied on the sides?

Could Ponchos be a poorman's version of the cuera, protecting its wearer from the "ortigas" and cactuses?

Best

Manuel


BTW, JIm, pleeze do contribute to my shipping question...

Good observation Manuel, but I think the poncho was intended as more of a garment for warmth and protection from the elements, while the chaps worn by cowboys likely did develop from the 'bocas' leggings.

Thank you Fearn! Actually I had some help from a very good friend in Spain

Manuel, I'm afraid I really cannot speak to this topic as my collecting days ended some time ago, and I have neither shipped nor received weapons in years. In those times however, an item listed as antique (over 100 yrs old) typically never had problems.

All the best,
Jim