Lance Blades

The lance was often the principal weapon of the frontier Spanish soldier. These three blades, of varying lengths, illustrate some of the patterns used in the northern provinces. The center blade, 12 inches long, is stamped with the name of the Presidio of Tubac, now incorporated into a State Park in southern Arizona. Mounted on the end of eight-foot lances these blades were vicious weapons when used by competent soldiers.¹
LANZA DECABALLERIA²
(Cavalry Lance) Poled edge weapon; composed of an iron lance head (moharra) which is the main part of the weapon and located at the extreme end of a shaft (asta) made of Majagua (Hibiscus tiliaceus wood), Ash (Fresno), Beech tree (Haya) or other light straight-fiber strong wood; at the opposite end it is re-enforced with an iron cap (regaton) which shall balance against the lance head, and at the center of gravity, towards the center of the shaft, the lance sling-strap (correa porta-lanza) shall be wrapped, aiding in the hand action when gripping as friction increases, and comfortably rests the lancer when he hangs it on his arm after placing the end cap (regaton) on the lance carrier (porta-regaton) next to the right stirrup, immediately on the lance head is located the pennant (or streamer) (banderola), whose oscillating movements during charges attempts to cause unrest upon the enemy horses and promoting their disorder. The shape of the lance head (moharra), just as in the hand weapons (armas de puños), is what constitutes the different classes of lances, which has varied greatly according to the times and customs; the invention of this weapon is attributed to the ancient Spaniards, whose nobility used it exclusively, with hand (held) lance heads (moharras), of olive leaf (shaped) (hoja de olivo), of diamond (shaped) tip (punta de diamante) or with other denominations referent to its different configurations; the shafts have also received variations before arriving at their present simplicity, having more or less thicknesses and lengths, flutings to lighten them a bit without weakening as much as if made thinner, or with more notable alterations yet and coinciding with the necessities of the era in which the warriors dressed in full armor, demanded the lances with sufficient power to allow to pass through with their thrusts, in the courts(?) (corteses) or in tournaments, the lance head (moharra) or point(?) (roquete) instead of (having) points and angled edges, would regularly terminate in various smaller projections and rounds (?) (romas), broad or spread so that without damage to the opponent they could easily assert against some part of his armor, with the purpose of dismounting him.

The changes in dress and the almost complete omission of defensive weapons has produced less variations in the lance and of less importance; since its been in use in cavalry lancer regiments, it is most significant to mention the adoption of a cross bar (cruceta) across the head of the lance head (moharra) called the reins-cutter (corta-riendas), discontinued because of the inconveniences it presented in the handling of the weapon and because of not fulfilling in any way the objective of its intentions, which has been separated (detached) from the existing lance heads (moharras) of this class (type), which is why its not represented, nor the small value of the rest of the changes require it, which is only verified (confirmed) by the one in use on the approved day in 1842 as indicated with an M, and the one that is with an A, as example of the variations received in this weapon (arma), which is the ones used anciently and named by the shape of its iron laurel leaf (hoja de laurel).

¹ Brinckerhoff, Sidney B. & Odie B. Faulk. Lancers for the King. (Phoenix, AZ: Arizona Historical Foundation, c. 1965).

² Translated from Dictionary Ilustrado de Artililleria por el Cornel de Artilleria D. Luis de Agar, originally published in 1853 in Madrid. Courtesy: Mike Hardwick