"Spanish Cuera to fight the early Apaches" Topic

Or so I am told by Ged. Must admit, never heard of them, but they come mounted and on foot in an addition to the Gringos40 range of American Indian Wars. To judge by his weapon he is many a century back. Painted by Andy Singleton

thanks for posting Liam
He is a dismounted Colonial
Spanish Cuera trooper with
an officers shield..troopers
generally sported plain bull-hide
ones.period early 18th Century..in
conflict with the battke hardened
Early Apaches..in a land named Apacheria!
regards
Ged
gringo40s.com

I am waiting until this line is complete and then I am definitely getting these figures. I think this will be an excellent period to game. Just need to figure out what rules to use.

Nice work! These were the guys who turned into he troopers in "Zorro," the Presidiales.

Interestingly, most Indian (native American) tribal names mean 'The People' in their native languages. The exception were the Apaches – whos name was from Spanish/Mexican 'Zuñi Apachu', meaning 'Enemy'
The Apache called themselves Inde or Diné, meaning 'The People' like in other tribes.

They had clans called Mescalero, Jicarilla, Chiricahua, Lipan, Kiowa Apache, Cibecue, Mimbreño, Coyotero, and Northern and Southern Tonto or Mogollon Apache.

Great figures Ged. Later this summer I'll order Cuera and Apaches.

The Cuera were modeled by London War Room. They were true 25's and serviceable, with both mounted and dismounted figures. These figures got the Gringo 40's treatment. I'm anxious to see where the range goes.

Kevin

Grattan54..Shagnasty..Herkybird and Kevin ..thanks for all your support and kind comments Gentlemen.i have to admit the start of the range has been totally absorbing and the deeper i go the more it fascinates. The Apaches were something else,with such a rich history and still here in the 1930s with the Tonto band..untouchable..without Mickey free or other Apaches to hunt them down! Grattan54 im looking at rules to do..Shagnasty i agree the uniforms are tremendous//uber cool! Herkeybird..the Dine is such an all encompassing word..almost spiritual…kevin im sure you will be a happy man. more updates soon chaps..kind regards Ged gringo40s.com

Great figure and work…

Congrats…!

Armqnd

Armand
Muchas gracias, amigo mío
regards
Saludetes
Ged
gringo40s.com

Well I have learnt much here.

thank you for posting Liam
its a really fascinating period
the Apache/Comanche roadblock
stopped the advance of Spain
for many a year……..
regards
Ged
gringo40s.com

NB figure is the rear view of the Spanish
Cuera trooper…..

Siempre un verdadero placer ver el eximio arte que nos ofreces… un abrazo fraterno y nada menos que admiracion de mi parte….

Armand

Hi Armand…any chance of a translation my friend
as my Spanish is not up to your standard !!
Un agradecimiento muy grande
Saludetes
Ged
gringo40s.com

@Jammy four: Google translate says:

'always a true pleasure to see the excellent art you offer us…a brotherly hug and nothing else than admiration on my part'

Herkybird
many thanks for doing that
all "good to know stuff!!"
regards
Ged
gringo40s.com

All I know is Hasta La Victoria Siempre, but I am learning about the Cueras.

Patria O Muerte, Venceremos

thanks for posting Liam…or should i say Muchas gracias por su interés Liam.!!
28mm Gringo40s Spanish mounted Cuera trooper sporting a not often used red coat, normal colour mid blue and cheaper cloth,Supplies to the presdidio forts were uncertain so a lot of variation exsisted until the regulations of 1772 in New Spain..ie Apacheria figure from Gringo40s latest release in the New Apache and Comanche Wars 1700-1900 range. availabe now from gringo40s.com

regards
Ged
gringo40s.com

Good translation by Jammy…

A little contribution to the thread…

link

History of the creation of the Cuera Dragon Corps. Its organization, structure and uniform

link

The Garrisons of the Prisons of New Spain

PDF link

Cuera Dragons. The Spanish Wild West

link

PRISONS AND LEATHER DRAGONS

PDF link

The Cuera dragons against the Apaches. The Battle for San Agustín de Tucson

link

Armand

Armand
many thanks for the excellent
references…some top notch ones
there
best regards
Saludetes
Ged
gringo40s.com

A votre service mon cher ami…

Snorri…

link

link

Armand

and again;

thanks for posting Liam..another example of a Cuera Trooper
28mm Gringo40s Spanish mounted Cuera trooper sporting the , normal colour mid blue and cheaper cloth,Supplies to the presdidio forts were uncertain so a lot of variation exsisted until the regulations of 1772 in New Spain..ie Apacheria figure from Gringo40s latest release in the New Apache and Comanche Wars 1700-1900 range.
top paintwork from Andy Singleton… availabe now from gringo40s.com

You know that "Presidio" is jail no?… so mostly of those guys were in origin criminals… a long way before the idea to use them in first line as Putin did on our days…

Armand

A nice collection of the early Apaches, if a bit small to see well;

Hi Armand…many thanks for your input. i know the ordinary Cuera soldiers were not paid a great deal.and their is evidence that some NCOs took part of their wages.im sure there were some unsavoury individuals…but desertion was not really an option!These frontier soldiers were recruited from among the Mestizo population and Hispanicized Native Americans. Most of the officers were Criollos and Mestizo, whereas very few of the enlisted men had this distinction. The soldados de cuera manned the presidios that stretched from Los Adaes, Louisiana, in the East, across Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, to the Pacific Coast of Alta California in the West.[6] There was no lack of volunteers for the service. Recruitment took place mainly among the local population, accustomed to the local climate, who were expert horsemen, and expert trackers who knew the country. For the poor general population the service as a soldados de cuera was attractive, with many perks; besides a regular pay, also medical care, the possibility land grants and promotions.[5]

Liam
many thanks for posting the Apache vignette of my figures!
regards
Ged
gringo40s.com

Great Apache vignette… congrats!…

There is documentation from that time where it is established that the judges, in order not to have to pay for the stay of prisoners, sent them to serve as Soldados de Cuera… clearly… a) for this the "volunteer" had to sign that they were doing it for their own decision… b) of course the Judge charged a good bribe (commission) for each of them…

Armand

Armand….glad you like the vignette
very interesting about the use of prisoners
..not normally mentioned in the usual histories
but no suprise really…the Cuera Troopers even
once they were stationed in the Prisidios had to
"Give" part of their wages to the NCOS…im not
sure how widespread this was..but it exsisted.
still they had splendid uniforms to wear!!
regards
Ged
gringo40s.com

(smile)

Bribe… another great contribution to America from Europe…

Armand

Armand

Armand…………..
its was everywhere my friend!!
regards
Ged
gringo40s.com

But there are some countries who made a way of life of it… (smile)… I could tell you…

Armand

Armand
No podría estar más de acuerdo Amigo!!
Saludetes
Ged
gringo40s.com

and now an enthusiastic occifer of the Cueras;

thanks for posting Liam!
in the pipeline……….28mm Dismounted Cuera officer inspiring his troopers…another taster of whats to come!!Spanish 28mm Colonial troops in Apacheria! top paintwork from Andy Singleton. figure available from gringo40s.com.
regards
Ged
gringo40s.com

That's is really great!…

Congrats again my friend…

Armand

Thank you Armand!
appreciated
regards
Ged
gringo40s.com

Outstanding! Great figures and excellent brushwork.

Old Contemptible
many thanks!
regards
Ged
gringo40s.com

This chap is loading his firearm, something never needed in Hollywood;

thanks for posting Liam !
indeed the Cuera Trooper
is in the process of loading
his Escopata Musket.
regards
Ged
gringo40s.com

Escopeta…. not Escopata… (smile)

Armand

Armand
Escopeta was a light, inexpensive, .69 caliber weapon used by Spanish cavalry and militia in colonial Texas. It was popular until the mid-nineteenth century, …seems your right my friend! ..in Spanish..Arma de fuego portátil, con uno o dos cañones, que dispara cartuchos o perdigones y suele utilizarse para cazar.
regards
Ged
gringo40s.com

and here is the real thing

thank you for posting Liam
more pictures and infornmation
to follow
regards
Ged
gringo40s.com

Ged of Gringos 40 asked me to post this image with some text, so here it is;
just a note on Cuera pistols
oddly enough there was always
a shortage of these weapons..
possibly due the amount of workmanship
involved in the Miquelet locks..in Apacheria
the majority were not in good condition..
atmosphere..low pay..and inertia all contributed
to poorly maintained weapons..not all though.
attached a picture of a brace of pistold from the
Spanish Colonial period used in Apacheria…"
Caribbean Miquelet about 1770-1800 manufacture
date .
regards Ged

and another view;

thanks for posting Liam !
indeed the Cuera Trooper
is in the process of loading
his Escopata Musket.Rear View
gives a good idea of the uniform
in reverse.
regards
Ged
gringo40s.com

Thanks my good friend… "Escopeta" is usually used for hunting birds or rabbits… but it also work against an oponent but no more to a low distance to you…

Armand

cheers Armand
your help is always appreciated!
regards
Ged
gringo40s.com

Now this chap looks like he means business, but I hope the other guy does not have a bow and arrows;