Thinking about making a Coyote fur hat...

[2 Locks]

I'm thinking about making a Coyote fur hat.  The type with legs & tail hanging down & the face attached.  I would like to hear what y'all think of that bit of winter mountain man clothing, for a character in the 1820s 1830s range.

I don't want to start another "period correct" debate - just want to hear your opinion.

The only first-hand reference that I could find is where Charles Larpenteur describes the clothes he wore during the building of Fort William at the mouth of the Yellowstone in 1833-34 – from his book "Forty Years a Fur Trader":
Here I am, a regular carter of Fort William, dressed in cowskin pants, cowskin coat, buckskin shirt, wolfskin cap, red flannel undershirt, and a blue check shirt over that, stepping along behind my old horse and cart.

[chaffinl]

I would make a Canadian cap as described here http://www.manuellisaparty.com/articles.htm It more period correct.  If that what your going for.

[hankaye]

I would make a Canadian cap as described here http://www.manuellisaparty.com/articles.htm It more period correct.  If that what your going for.

Excellent link. Got busted by the Lady o the house, I'd gotten so engrossed with it.

[Three Hawks]

I don't want to start another "period correct" debate - just want to hear your opinion.

One of my buddies who I Rondy with fairly often has a wonderful full coyote skin hat.  He's worn it once, I think.  He does bring it and hangs it on one of the poles to the big fly in front of the wall tent as a decoration during Rondies.

There are two main things people overlook about full skin hats.  One is that they are too dang warm.  That skin was taken in midwinter and is prime, excellent insulation.  And Two, is that skin weighs a good honest ten pounds.  I dunno how you'd do it, but figure a way to put  ten pounds of something on your head and wear it around the house for a day.

I'm thinkin, you could get your missus to help you make some kind of a turban out of a bath towel then pin the tails behind you and put ten pounds of potatoes in there somehow.  Show her this and she'll be delighted to help.  Then she'll put the video on you-tube and make your life a living hell.  All you need is a terry cloth towel, a bucketfull of big safety pins, ten pounds of spuds and no semblance of either self esteem or pride.  But we're Mountain type dudes and tough ones at that.

Another consideration.  A prime coyote pelt will set you back $200- $250.  

My opinion is to go getcherself a nice (cheap) felt slouch hat and call it good.  It's PC, too.   Some feathers and beads will "shine it up" really good.  Put the $200 you saved toward a new flintlock rifle.

You did ask.

Three Hawks

[2 Locks]

Thanks Three Hawks, you're right about me having "no semblance of either self esteem or pride" but the prime fur only cost me a single 30.06.  (China may drive those up to $200 each, but that's a different story).  I don't know if your buddy left half the flesh in his, but I would be surprised if mine weighed even  two pounds.

I already have a felt hat for most of the year, but I love being out in the winter too.   Especially when it gets down below 10 degrees, because you're not likely to see another soul out there.

Les - You got me leaning toward one of those caps.  The article about hats in general was excellent.

The 'yote will be staying on my lodgepole - now I gotta go out & get me nice Fox - bummer

[Longhunter]

I'm thinking about making a Coyote fur hat. The type with legs & tail hanging down & the face attached.

You'll get yer head shot off.... :rotf

Seriously,  I like them "fer" hats.  :roll eyes

[2 Locks]

Thanks Longhunter,  Those are some nice hats.
(It's uncanny how much you look like my uncle Chuck Leonard in your "younger" photo.  He also loved the rendezvous lifestyle.)

[2 Locks]

My timing is a little late to get this project done this season, so feel free to keep them comments coming guys.

[forest]

200 - 250  why not just go out and shoot it, and tan it yourself. Then you could say you did it all.