Longhunter clothing ?????

[melsdad]

I am heading to Fort Fredrick this weekend. I will be looking to purchase some clothing....shirt, hat, and pants for now. I have decided I want to pursue the look of a longhunter. I am not interested in the super fine details of every thread and button, I just do not want to buy things that don't fit the time period. Another question, would a longhunter typically use a leather belt, or a sash to carry there hawk, and knife.

At the moment I have no period appropiate clothing at all. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[TomG]

Check this site.
Its in our preffered merchant section.
http://www.bellandcompanytraders.com/outfits.html
Im trying to put together a longhunter outfit myself.
Right now it consists of brown canvas painters pants from walmart,$16.00,(cut off the hammer loop and the side pockets)or a long hunters shirt will cover it.
Then I purchased an 18th century work shirt from Log Cabin Shop,$27.00.
I also purchased a really nice Longhunter shirt,(knee length) from Mike Branson.
Last I bought a pair of minnitonka moccs, not P/C but all I could get for now.
Im gradually working on my clothing to make it P/C.
Its just taking me a while.
If its this weekend you may not have much time to order and get it in.
Hope this helps.

[melsdad]

If its this weekend you may not have much time to order and get it in.
Hope this helps.

I don't need the clothes for this weekend. Fort Fredrick is having a 18th century market fair where I plan to buy some clothing, and accoutrements.

Thanks for the information, and the link. I have checked there before. looks like quality clothing. I just want to see the stuff before I buy for now.

[Minnesota Mike]

In simplest terms, Longhunter would probably be:

- Moccasins (shifted from boots once he got to the woods)
- Dropfront trousers
- Leggings (leather or wool)
- Garters (to keep up the leggings - leather or braided sash)
- Suspender to keep trousers up
- Drop shoulder shirt (can wear hanging out or tucked in)
- Leather belt (for knife and hawk and belt pouch - since no pockets in pants)
- Hunting Frock (may want another belt or sash that keeps frock closed since frocks have no buttons, or can use same leather belt. I prefer seperate. My everyday belt with knife and pouch, and then outer garmet belt with hawk, maybe another knife, and if needed another belt pouch)
- Neckerchief (good size, not the common bandana - really helps keep wind off neck)
- Hat (all manner of styles and shapes - usually have something with a brim to keep rain out of your eyes)

I'd check out online sellers like Jas Townsend, Panther Primitive, Log Cabin Shop to get an idea of how sizes run, materials that are used and prices that they charge. That way you can go to Fort Fred better informed and prepared for what the vendors there want to charge you.

I'd also be open and honest with the different vendors - tell them what you're trying to do and sort of outfit you want to put together. Most of the ones I've dealt with have been up front with what they have or don't - and if they don't have what I needed, they pointed out which other vendor might.

-----------------------------------
For some ideas i'd get one of these two:

Longhunter Sketchbook
http://www.jastown.com/milbook/bk-433.htm Ideas and patterns for clothing and gear of the men who explored and tamed the wilderness. 1750-1820, mostly eastern U.S.
BK-433.....$6.00

Recreating the American Longhunter: 1740-1790
http://www.jastown.com/miscbook/bk-569.htm  Describes how and where the American longhunter lived. Discusses the clothing, weapons, and equipment used in the everyday life of a longhunter. 65 pages. Paperback.
Recreating the American Longhunter: 1740-1790.....$10.00

Jas. Townsend & Son seems to have best price for them for now.
-------------------

That should get you your basic persona outfit - if you're interested in the rest of a Longhunter's gear and equipment, let me know.

r/
MM

[RichW]

Here are some basic generalizations:

Linen before 1800, cotton after.

Hunting frocks: pullover is mostly military.  No capes before Rev. War.
Colors have modern associations: green = Tory Ranger, White = military or newbee, bad walnut dye job = Mark Baker Wannabe (sorry, Mark, but you know they are called that).  I like to think this way:  If you bought the fabric, you could buy whatever color was available.  If the cloth is homespun, the number of colors is more limited, but hey, if your wife/mother can grow it, process it, spin it and weave it, she can probably do a pretty good dye job too.  Indigo blue is the most common civilian color after 1800.

Trousers:  you must define a time frame first.  Most fall fronts are broad fall.  That is mid-1830's to 1870's (or 1970's if you are in the Navy).  Narrow fall: 1810's-20's.  Medium fall: same as 18th c. knee breeches in style, and 1750's-1810-ish.

Leggings:  leather is expensive and needs to be researches.  It is also awful to wear wet.  Wool is cheaper, and good for most conditions.  Cotton/other needs researching.  Go for side seam.  Center seam is late and region-specific.

Footwear.  I would go for a good pair of buckle shoes to start (pre-1800).  They can fit into any historic situation, and will last a long time, and they don't need "updating" as you learn and grow.

36" square silk scarf.  Find these at most events for $10-$15.  Black, white or color of your choice.

Garters: use wide wool tape for now.  36" long for each leg.

Sash: that's a hornet's nest that could take up a whole topic.  Period leather belts are safe.

Note:  most vendors do not tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.  You can be pretty authentic for the same $$$ as the guy who buys based on what the catalogs say.  You just have to do more research.

[jasontn]

rich, im at the point in assembling my gear to where im ready to buy a belt or sash, could you please elaborate some on the controversy with them? i dont want to waste any time on something i may not be happy with.
thanks

[melsdad]

Thanks for all the information fellas, my head is spinning.

[RichW]

A 2" vegetable tanned leather belt, with a brass buckle from any of the major vendors will do fine.  Double D or a batwing, or a plain square for later eras.

Historically speaking, sashes come in 3 kinds:

1.  Indian made, finger woven.

2.  Loomed linen or wool.

3.  Non-Indian made finger woven for the Indian trade.

#2 is the only option that is affordable for most, but what you see for sale is a poor substitute for the original.

You will see for sale:

a. Inkle woven sashes in multi-color stripe and dash patterns.  Usually wool.
The originals are usually linen, and made with more complex weaving techniques.  I have never seen a good reproduction.

b.  Loom woven trade sashes in cotton, polyester, or wool.  These are reproductions of post-1830's fur trade sashes.  The originals were wool, machine woven to look like finger woven sashes.  If you are doing post-1830's fur trade, the wool ones are an option.  But they probably were not common until the 1860's.

c. Military sashes in silk/poly or wool.  These are military sashes.  Not a longhunter item.

Options #1 & #3 are hand made and sold by the inch.  Not cheap!

Well?  You asked!

[jasontn]

rich,
 thanks just the kind of answer i was looking for.

[RichW]

By the way, those big forged iron buckles are a modern idea.  There probably were a few out there, but I have not seen a dug one yet, if you know what I mean.  

[Eric S Campbell]

I can not tell you much more than Rich has said.

Shirt- Either a frock or a smock, the smock could also be cut down the middle. Also a regular shirt will do fine.

Leggings- Leather which gets wet cold and slimmy and is hard to dry, wool jean fabric, linen, or wool medium weight which is your best option.

Pants- either a breech clout or fall front or french fly. Also trousers work but no suspenders as far as I know.

Stockings.

Mocs or buckle shoes.

And a hat, either tri corn or a broad brimmed hat. A silk scarf or monmouth cap.

Also A leather belt with a non forged buckle. Card woven sashes will work. The best reproduction I have seen was by Nathan Kobuck!.

If you have anymore questions just ask.

[Minnesota Mike]

Pants- either a breech clout or fall front or french fly. Also trousers work but no suspenders as far as I know.

Reason I suggested the suspenders or braces is that belts were not used to keep your pants up. They were there for holding on to other things like knives, hawks, pouches and such.

So unless he gets pants that are a real good and don't work their way southward on him, he's gonna need something to keep from getting a draft aft.

Breech clout is seperate issue, you wear something with that to keep it where it should be.

r/
MM

[Eric S Campbell]

If you get your size pants then you should not have a problem with them falling off. I have never had that problem yet. In the bag they had a gusset so you can adjust it for about 3" give or take.

[Minnesota Mike]

If you get your size pants then you should not have a problem with them falling off. I have never had that problem yet. In the bag they had a gusset so you can adjust it for about 3" give or take.

Hmmm . . . suspect you have not had the 'dunlop' problem yet . . .

r/
MM

[jasontn]

i dont think he has mike, unfortunaltely not all of us are so lucky.