Lloyd
Mountaineer
Posts: 117
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Post by Lloyd on Jul 29, 2010 7:08:13 GMT -7
We discussed what went on the bottom, but nobody has jumped up and talked about what goes on top. Seems that between 1799 and 1838, there was a major change in hat colors... I have been led to believe that most folks wore black hats during the 18th century, but.... come to the painters of the mountain man, and guess what,,,,,, black hats are scarce.... If I were to guess, I would say that it relates to that hot sun beating down hard out here in the mountains... But then, why not straws?  I guess they wouldn't stand up to the weather, but those old farmer straws that all the men wore when I was a kid were mighty tough... However they weren't made in China or some obscure 3rd world country. What do you guys think??? What for a hat?   |
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Post by sean on Jul 29, 2010 10:54:07 GMT -7
AFC inventory records from the mid-late 1830's show predominantly white and black wool hats. If I recall correctly Chronister and Landry's article on western fur trade clothing suggested that Black was the more common color over all and white became more common in the later years. I've also seen reference to 'drab wool hats', which would have been a tan color. I suspect that most of the hats shipped West in the fur trade were the cheap wool felt types. You certainly see a lot of crumpled, limp looking hats in Miller's artwork which would support that assumption. "Trappers Starting for the Beaver Hunt' is a good example. So are several of Kurz' sketches:   ![]() www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/images/kurz/plate39.jpg[/img] BTW, here's a sketch by Kurz of Charles Morgan weraing a cap:  Sean |
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Post by Steve Jajo on Jul 30, 2010 9:53:08 GMT -7
  What about Wheel Hats? I believe they are greatly under used by todays reenactors. The one I am wearing Tekhelet Hats made for me and did a fantastic job on it. The material is a very fine tight weaved burlap and it is lined in linen. Their site is linked below. Yes I know I am fat but I have lost a few pounds since this photo was taken......so shut up before you even start!! ;D ;D ;D tekhelethats.com/ |
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Post by sean on Jul 30, 2010 10:33:07 GMT -7
Steve, Here's a website with citations for those for Canadian fur trade stuff and directions for making them. I think you are correct that they are underrepresented. www.northwestjournal.ca/XII3.htmSean |
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Post by Rod on Jul 30, 2010 12:25:48 GMT -7
Whether they're under represented or not kind of depends on where you are----up here on the Upper Missouri, it seems like everybody and their dog wears a peaked or wheel cap. I've almost gone back to wearing my old felt hat just to be different! I will say that historically, they seem to be more proper for the fort based personell---especially when one gets into the Canadian trade, they're practically part of the 'uniform' there.
By the way, Barry and Judy McPherson of Winnipeg make very nice caps, in either wool or linen. They can be reached at baggage@mts.net
Barry keeps talking of retiring from the clothier business (they make fall-front trousers, pantaloons, tailcoats, waistcoats, etc., all carefully researched and fully documented), so if you want anything, it might be wise to place your order soon. Their stuff is top shelf, most of what I wear they've made.
Rod
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Lloyd
Mountaineer
Posts: 117
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Post by Lloyd on Jul 30, 2010 12:52:22 GMT -7
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Post by Chuck Burrows on Jul 30, 2010 15:25:33 GMT -7
I think he should be banned for that pic!  ;D |
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Post by Longarm on Jul 30, 2010 16:22:41 GMT -7
Badger is the one wearing the funny lookin' hat. I like the tan in my country...we don't have all that much big green stuff like in this picture  |
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Post by Librarian on Jul 30, 2010 16:44:52 GMT -7
How do! "Wheel" or "mechanics" type caps can also be had from a number of "authentic" ACW makers. (Won't get into the "military surplus" M1839 or M1851 forage cap discussion.  ) |
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Post by pathfinder on Jul 30, 2010 19:49:26 GMT -7
An extremely under represented hat of the 1830's!  Another wheel hat. Dragoon 1846 Bent's Fort.  Another Miller pic with hats!  |
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Lloyd
Mountaineer
Posts: 117
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Post by Lloyd on Jul 30, 2010 19:54:43 GMT -7
Hay Steve,
Let me warn you this once.....
Mentioning "FAT" on this board will get you banned....
Unless you are talking about eating fat greasy things, which is very Mountain Man correct.....
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Post by pathfinder on Jul 30, 2010 21:12:13 GMT -7
My first wheel hat/forage cap was a leather one I bought in '74 or there abouts.........years later I covered it with a coyote hide for a sub zero winter hat.
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Post by Steve Jajo on Jul 31, 2010 6:35:07 GMT -7
Real funny Lloyd and Chuck...real funny...actually it was kind of of funny...... ;D ;D ;D Well I like my hat so I'm wearing it... ;D ;D
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Post by Chuck Burrows on Jul 31, 2010 11:15:54 GMT -7
What's good for the goose...... Your amigo who's "corpus is as round as a porpoise"..... The quote is from A. J. Miller - his description of Etienne Provost, who was leading the AMFco's pack train in 1837. Now looky there we can even document being "husky" - for the Libarians ya know....... |
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Post by Chuck Burrows on Jul 31, 2010 11:36:20 GMT -7
Here's a link to an article on RMFT hats by Gene Hickman of the Manuel Lisa Part AMM: www.manuellisaparty.com/articles/docs/HATS%20IN.docthere's several other articles here: www.manuellisaparty.com/articles.htmThese take a word doument program to open so if you have trouble opening let me know and I'll translate them into an html file that can be opened by any internet browser......... While not RMFT the quote below is a neat description and his wolf-skin chapeau reminds of the picture of Joe Meek wearing what appears to be a wolf skin hat (see links below quote - never a lover of preachers, his experience with some who came to rendezvous may have something to do with it note his attitude them even after joining a church - and no guys I'm not anti-Christian of any flavor or any other religion - "being with God" is your own business......my neighbors the Dine aka Navajo, call it walking in beauty). Also note how he "customized" his St Louis rifle........ www.washingtoncountymuseum.org/localhistory/featured-meek.phpwww.pbs.org/weta/thewest/resources/archives/images/wimg620/62meek.gifIMO that pic of uncle Joe with the dead animal on his head was taken circa 1847 when he went to Washington, DC where he proclaimed himself as Joe never was the shy retiring type.... For you Virginy boys, Joe was born in Washington County, VA - in fact Cap'n Mikey iffn you ever want to portray a RM trapper Joe would be right up your alley........... |
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I guess they wouldn't stand up to the weather, but those old farmer straws that all the men wore when I was a kid were mighty tough... However they weren't made in China or some obscure 3rd world country.
