Cockspur

19th century

These two objects are a fighting cock spur and a leather case, which was used to protect the cockspur when it was not in use. The spur is made of steel and was fastened to a rooster’s leg for fighting. Cockfighting was popular in the Republic, especially in San Antonio among the Tejanos (people of Hispanic and Latin American descent living in Texas). Cockfighting did not become a fight to the death until the 18th century, when deadly spurs were attached to the rooster’s legs. In Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, dated January 15, 1859, a picture of cockfighting was entitled “The Mexican National Sport,” testifying to the pastime’s popularity among the peoples of Mexico and its colonies.

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