Spanish Cavalry Pistol with Patilla Style Miquelet Lock 1808-1812

[dana_w]

Here are some photos of a Spanish cavalry pistol with a patilla style miquelet lock. It was made in Valencia 1808-1812. The pistol is marked “Fa.Va.” (Fabrica de Valencia) and “L.L” (doblemente leal=LL=doubly loyal). The emblem of Valencia (a rhombus with vertical lines under crown) is also stamped on the barrel.

Juan L. Calvó depicts a similar pistol on page 68 of his book “Armamento Español en la Guerra de Independencia”.

The pistol has a belt hook. I am looking for any illustrations of Spanish cavalry carrying this style pistol in a baldric, saddle or horse holster.

This pistol may have been in use during the Spanish War of Independence 1808-1814 (Guerra de la Independencia Española).

Here in on the east coast of Florida we were nearing the end of the second Spanish period 1783-1821. In 1812 the United States began conducted a clandestine war with the Spanish in Florida. The conflict is know as the Patriot War.

The Mexican War of Independence began in 1810 and ended in 1821. From 1811 to 1813. Spanish cavalry gained and lost control of the Alamo several times.

Photos Copyright © 2010-2013 Dana K. Williams All Rights Reserved

[Fernando K]

Estimado Dana:

La llave (lock) es "a las 3 modas". Del miquelete, toma el resorte mayor actuando hacia arriba, el "gatillo" (cock) y el tornillo pedrero (flint screw) con aro, y el sistema de disparo. De la llave a francesa, toma la brida del rastrillo fija a la cazoleta (pan) y el rastrillo (steel) redondeado y curvo (si bien está estriado como en el miquelete). De la llave "a la romana", toma la disposición del resorte del rastrillo (encima del muelle real), si bien está fijado como en el miquelete, por oreja pasante y no por tornillo.

Afectuosamente. Fernando K

[Fernando K]

Dear Dana:

Key (lock) is "at 3 fashions". Del miquelete takes more acting spring up, the "trigger" (cock) and screw scree (flint screw) with hoop, and the trigger system. Key to French takes rake flange fixed to the bowl (pan) and rake (steel) rounded and curved (but is striated as in miquelete). Key "to the Roman", takes the rake spring arrangement (mainspring above), although it is fixed as in the miquelete by ear and not by screw intern.

Affectionately. Fernando K

[dana_w]

Originally Posted by Fernando K

Dear Dana:

Key (lock) is "at 3 fashions". Del miquelete takes more acting spring up, the "trigger" (cock) and screw scree (flint screw) with hoop, and the trigger system. Key to French takes rake flange fixed to the bowl (pan) and rake (steel) rounded and curved (but is striated as in miquelete). Key "to the Roman", takes the rake spring arrangement (mainspring above), although it is fixed as in the miquelete by ear and not by screw intern.

Affectionately. Fernando K

Sorry Fernando K, I am not sure what you are trying to tell me.

Maybe you wouldn't call this a patilla style lock. It is certainly a late example. The frizzen / battery spring is forward of the pan and has no bridle, but it still looks like a patilla to me.

[Fernando K]

Dear Dana:

LAVIN, page 184:

......while the common patilla-a las tres modas cost only nine.

Fernando K

[dana_w]

Originally Posted by Fernando K

Dear Dana:

LAVIN, page 184:

......while the common patilla-a las tres modas cost only nine.

Fernando K

Hey Fernando K,

Looking at page 184, even Dr. Lavin could not follow the “greatly revised nomenclature” that replaced that of Espinar. He says “..the traditional miquelet (patilla) now called, for some obscure reason, a las tres modas”.

Way too OBSCURE for me.


Miqueleter thoughtfully provided me two modern illustrations from Spanish Army Of The Napoleonic Wars Volume 2 1808-1812. One image shows a belt pistol worn on a waist belt, and the other shows two belt pistols hooked to the front of a sash.

Dr. Lavin used this image which shows a baldric (Xarpa) with belt pistols.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...de_tabacos.jpg

*** Are there any other contemporary illustrations out there? ***

Miqueleter also sent me some additional information on Model 1791 locks and pistols. It comes from the book Spanish Military Weapons in Colonial America 1700–1821. One of the authors is Herman Benninghoff. He also wrote a great article for the American Society of Arms Collectors titled Some Spanish Weapons in the American Revolution. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11084