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[AmRevolution] Spanish Colonial Lance head 
Posted By: John Morris (96.231.66.42)
Date: Saturday, 7 August 2010 0907 hrs. EDT
Contributed by AdeQ Historical Archive Inc.
Antique Spanish Colonial Presidio Iron Lance Spear 1775.
[moderator note] I looked these up in Brinckerhoff and Chamberlain [Sid Brinckerhoff is a Company Fellow,] SPANISH MILITARY wEAPONS IN COLONIAL AMERICA, Stackpole, Harrisburg PA, USA 1972, pp. 108, and copied the text here for those not familiar with Spanish Colonial edged weapons:
"Lance Blades, 18th Century" (plate 211)
The lance was the favorite weapon of the presidial soldiers on the northern frontiers of New Spain. The use of the lance was so thoroughly ingrained into the population of this region that even as late as the Mexican War the lancers were some of the most effective troops in the service of Mexico.
Most of the extant lance blades which have been found throughout the Southwest and northern Mexico appear to be products of local smiths. There is an almost endless variety in the shapes and sizes used. The illustration shows three typical examples-two of the socket type and one in which the tang is driven into the shaft illustration not reproduced here.] Despite the apparent lack of uniformity the lance was a regulation weapon of the frontier troopers. The Royal Regulations of 1772 specify a double-edged blade of 13 1/2 inches in length and 1 1/2 inches wide. Few of the blades examined have conformed exactly to these regulations."
(note: intend to post dimensions of the item pictured when available)
-- John Morris (96.231.66.42) -- Saturday, 7 August 2010 0907 hrs. EDT
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