Original Mexican-American War Era Mexican Mid-19th Century Unit-Marked Officer’s Folding Field Desk - 9o De Cazadores 3a Compãnia

Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is an outstanding Mexican officer’s folding field desk from the era of the Mexican-American War. The desk was used by an officer of the Cazadores, or Hunters. It bears a gorgeous brass plaque on the top with a Mexican unit designation:

9 ͦ
DE
CAZADORES

3 ͣ. COMPAÑIA.

The Mexican Cazadores fought at the Alamo, but we aren’t sure what Cazadore unit this plaque denotes. The Cazadores were a roughly light infantry rifle company, similar to the French Chassueres, also called preferred company. They were used as the battalion skirmishers or flankers. During this period, they would’ve been armed with the British Baker Rifle or the British Light Infantry Musket.

From our research, a Mexican Infantry Battalion is composed of eight companies of three types, the types being Compañía Cazadores, Compañía Granaderos, and Compañía Fusileros. The Mexican Army, from 1833-1839 consisted of ten permanent infantry battalions. From this, we believe the plaque to denote the 3rd Cazadores company of the 9th Infantry Battalion.

The field desk has a locking latch which appears functional but we do not have the key, so we cannot test it, and it’s currently in the locked position. The interior has 9 removable drawers, the three central drawers being longer and the bottom central drawer having a lock, the key for which is absent. The interior of the lid has an intact leather pad in the center with a “gold leaf” border. The desk retains its two side brass carrying handles. The desk has brass trim attached along the edges which appears heavily worn.

The desk sits on four knob legs. The field desk when closed measures approximately 29¼ x 17 x 10¼”. 

This is a fantastic field desk, ready for further research and display!