In Search of the Spanish Colonial 'Cuera' Armor

fearn · 20th August 2009, 05:09 PM

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

20th August 2009, 05:09 PM	#3
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	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