In Search of the Spanish Colonial 'Cuera' Armor

Jim McDougall · 26th August 2009, 11:33 PM

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 · 27th August 2009, 02:08 AM

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 · 27th August 2009, 02:30 AM

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

celtan · 27th August 2009, 01:20 PM

Like Woodstock..?

: )

Best

M

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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 · 27th August 2009, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celtan

Like Woodstock..?

: )

Best

M

LOL! far out man!!! Woodstock?? who the heck can remember the 60's?
Actually.....despite the purple haze...the 'poncho' was indeed popular attire in that blur

Best,
Jim

fernando · 2nd September 2009, 06:58 PM

Hi Jim, can i assault this thread, now that the cuera theme in the appointed context has slowed down?
I assume we all know that this apparatus was previously more of a complementary armour element than an exterior attire.
At a certain period it was used to defend parts of the body and pad the upper part, in order to absorb the hardness of the steel cuirass.
The name in portuguese is coura; i realize however that this type of gear also had its momens of glory in various other countries, of course.
I know where there is one for sale (where else could it be?

); i just don't even ask for its price, afraid i couldn't reach it.
The example in the pictures is in the Oporto military museum.
I bet guys like Michael can put up pictures with magnificent examples
Fernando
.

Jim McDougall · 2nd September 2009, 08:27 PM

Wow! Beautifully done Fernando. I really like the way you detail the photo with captioning, nice graphics and very helpful.

You're very right, leather or other material was indeed worn under armour not only to provide some buffer between the hard steel and its wearer, absorb heat, which must have been unbearable at times, and also to absorb the force of blows, which would sometimes generate blunt trauma with the armour itself.
* much like the non penetrating wounds received somewhat superficially under kevlar vests etc.

In the Middle Ages, this wearing of heavy material was common, and the heavy jerkins worn during the English Civil War also examples which also served somewhat like the cuerra.

The Spanish soldiers found leather much more manueverable in these incredibly rugged regions, and great defence against the hostile flora as well as the hostile Indian tribes' arrows. The bocas no doubt provided much needed protection against the bite of the ever present rattlesnake as well.

Thank you so much for adding this great photo!!! as well as your always brilliant detail!!!

All the very best,
Jim

Jim McDougall · 27th August 2009, 06:19 AM

Quote:

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

26th August 2009, 11:33 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,459	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: Attached Images

2nd September 2009, 06:58 PM	#6
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Hi Jim, can i assault this thread, now that the cuera theme in the appointed context has slowed down? I assume we all know that this apparatus was previously more of a complementary armour element than an exterior attire. At a certain period it was used to defend parts of the body and pad the upper part, in order to absorb the hardness of the steel cuirass. The name in portuguese is coura; i realize however that this type of gear also had its momens of glory in various other countries, of course. I know where there is one for sale (where else could it be? ); i just don't even ask for its price, afraid i couldn't reach it. The example in the pictures is in the Oporto military museum. I bet guys like Michael can put up pictures with magnificent examples Fernando . Attached Images

27th August 2009, 02:08 AM	#2
celtan Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PR, USA Posts: 679	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...

27th August 2009, 02:30 AM	#3
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	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

2nd September 2009, 08:27 PM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,459	Wow! Beautifully done Fernando. I really like the way you detail the photo with captioning, nice graphics and very helpful. You're very right, leather or other material was indeed worn under armour not only to provide some buffer between the hard steel and its wearer, absorb heat, which must have been unbearable at times, and also to absorb the force of blows, which would sometimes generate blunt trauma with the armour itself. * much like the non penetrating wounds received somewhat superficially under kevlar vests etc. In the Middle Ages, this wearing of heavy material was common, and the heavy jerkins worn during the English Civil War also examples which also served somewhat like the cuerra. The Spanish soldiers found leather much more manueverable in these incredibly rugged regions, and great defence against the hostile flora as well as the hostile Indian tribes' arrows. The bocas no doubt provided much needed protection against the bite of the ever present rattlesnake as well. Thank you so much for adding this great photo!!! as well as your always brilliant detail!!! All the very best, Jim