In Search of the Spanish Colonial 'Cuera' Armor

[Jim McDougall]

In ongoing research on Spanish Colonial history, and very much in league with our discussions on armor in the wild west and primitive native armor, I would like to open a discussion on the leather armor worn by Spanish cavalry in New Spain's frontiers.

During the time of the Conquistadores, we have learned that the actual presence of armor cuirass and mail seems to have been less than often presumed, and more common became the wearing of leather doublets or jerkins or heavy cotton/wool armor favored by the Aztecs.

By the end of the 17th century, mounted soldiers who guarded the colonial posts known as presidios became known as 'soldados de cuera', the leather jacket soldiers.
These leather coats are described as reaching from shoulder to knee, about seven plies of well cured buckskin bound together at edges by string seams, secured to the body by encircling straps. It is noted that these weighed about 18 pounds and were worn in slight variations from California to Texas and across northern Mexico. Many of these were emblazoned with the Royal Crest and name of presidio.

While this information reveals what these must have looked like, it seems that museum displays and references, despite numerous examples of the weaponry and the leather shields (adarga), do not as far as I can find have specimens of these 'cuera' leather coats.

I am hoping that someone might have information on museum holdings, personal collections or photos with actual examples.
Thanks very much guys!

All best regards,
Jim