Footwear for the Fur Trade

[Rod]

Here are the pics of the moccs Prince Max collected:





The moccs were made from previously used leather--old lodge skins, an old bag, maybe? They've some painted pattern on them from a previous life.

Rod

[Lloyd]

I think it was in "The Indian Tipi" by Reginald & Gladys Laubin that they referenced using the smoked tops of old tipi's to make moccasins.

[Lloyd]

Charles Deas tended to paint pucker toe moccasins a lot too.
I have always loved this picture
Long Jakes, "the Rocky Mountain Man",


The original is in the Denver Art Museum.
www.denverartmuseum.org/explore_art/collections/objectDetails/objectId--104885

This could also go over on the thread about saddles....

[buckshot]

Another thing I've thought about is whether some of the artists just got things plain wrong, the side seams can be made two different ways. Way #1 you make a "T" shaped cut in what will be the top and the two sides become the ankle flaps. You then sew on the tongue. On this style the flaps just barely cover the ankles. Way #2 you make two parallel cuts and the leather between the cuts becomes an integral tongue and you then sew on ankle flaps, which can be much higher.
On way #1, if the tongue lies flat over the instep, and if the inside of the tongue is lined with flannel and bead work- the tongue looks an awful lot like the vamp on a puckered toe moccasin. This might not be as far fetched as it may appear because sewing a flannel lining on the inside of flaps, etc was done- to the best of my knowledge, although the photos I've seen on this are post 1840.

[buckskin billy]

howdy yall,

i've mad both styles pucker vamp and side seams. the side seams are a heck of alot easier to sew together. they also in my opinion make better winter mocs, as you can layer them better.
i myself like the look of the pucker vamp when done correctly, which i have yet to accomplish. out of two pairs of pucker vamp i got close but no cigar, but after a few soakings it don't much matter.
another thing on the pucker vamp i have noticed is when wet even if worn dry they tend to draw up more than the side seams do.
by far i like the looks of the pucker vamp but the side seam are easier to make and more comfortable to wear.

here is a picture of my side seams and my pucker vamps. both made from brain tan buckskins