The escopeta, a light, smoothbore, muzzle-loading musket or carbine was a
popular weapon of the 18th century soldado de cuera. Made with a Spanish
or miguelet lock and a Catalan
stock, this sturdy and dependable weapon saw use for nearly 200 years on the
northern frontier. There were many variations in barrel length, and stock
design, but the miguelet lock was commonly used. In 1786, escopetas purchased
for frontier use cost the Crown 6 pesos, 5 reales, 9 grains. The Model illustrated
was made by Antonio Guisasola of Eibar, Spain, about 1800. It is caliber .75
with a Catalan stock and a 33 1/2-inch barrel. The quality of the piece indicates
that it was carried by a gentleman or officer.
This escopeta is in the William Renwick Collection, Tucson. Photograph by BRUCE D. LINDSAY. © 1965, Arizona Historical Foundation
See Also: Indian Trade Musket