| Standing, front left: Based on 1791
ink wash drawing done in Monterey, California by Jose Cardero, artist on
the Alejandro de Malispina expedition. He is wearing long leather
coat (cuera) with decorative stitching including royal arms on the
pockets. A line ending in three small balls emerging from the broadfall
of the breeches is interpreted as the mechero (a wick or mecha used to light
cigarettes which was sometimes decorated with small pompons). His
shoes are botas de talon (based on a late 18th century pair, now
in the Natural History Museum of Los Angels County) |
 ©1992
by David W. Rickman, do not copy
without prior authorization. The artist reserves the right to be
contacted with respect to use of this drawing. |
| Standing, center: The basis for this soldado's
clothing is a 1797 order for "fatigue dress" of a leather jacket
with red velvet collar and cuffs and leather trousers.. |
Mounted on horse, right: Based on an illustration
with 1804 report concerning the presidial cavalry and the description by
Zebulon Pike, the American officer who was intercepted by the Cuera
cavalry in 1807 when he was exploring in Spanish territory. Notice
the short version of the leather jacket which may have appeared about the
end of the 18th century. The blue jacket now has no skirts and no
buttons on the cuffs. Equipment is much the same. A green leather-covered
cartridge box was noted by Pike |
 |
A drawing of Soldados de Cuera, from page 36 of Uniformes
Militares Esapanoles Tropas Virreynales (I) Nueva Espana, Yucatan Y Luisiana
by Jose Maria Bueno. Left to right:
-
Catalonian Volunteer 1769-70 , (Malispina);
-
Soldier of Monterey 1769-70 (Malispina);
-
Soldado de Cuera 1790 (from various sources);
-
Lancer of the Legion of Principe, 1767 (from various sources).
|
 |
Soldado de Cuera, circa 1795, ©1998 by David
W. Rickman. Do not copy without prior authorization. The
artist reserves the right to be contacted with respect to use of this drawing. |
