| Period clothing, equipment Page 2, to Page 3 Back to page 1 Back Home |
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| Canteens An item of some controversy amoung many AMM Brothers, as it seems that many of the original trappers distained the use of such a thing, even claiming its use as "effeminate." Nonetheless, canteens, particularly iron-bound wood canteens, were known to have been available. Other substitutes include tin drum types and gourd, as seen on the left. These are, by nature, fragile and best kept tied to the side of the saddle. |
| Hats, hoods, caps. Most men wore low-crowned wool felt hats, while some wore small odd caps, and many wore hoods made of blanket or hide. Fur caps are noted in some accounts, like O. Russell, but there is no indication of the long fur hats seen used by some today. Hats often worn plain, perhaps with a few small feathers tucked in the band. |
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| Capote (cappo) or blanket coat or blanket overcoat This was a functional garment for cold weather, and took a great deal of abuse. Most originals of the period are noted as being white, blue or green. There is no indication from original sources, of fringe, yarn stitching or labels on cappos of the 1825-1840 era. |
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| Powder Horn and Bullet Pouch One of the most diversely-devised items of the trapper's kit, yet one that required the most conventionalism. This was not a "possibles bag," nor was it called a hunting bag or a shooting pouch by the original mountaineers. "Bullet pouch or shot pouch" were the common original terms.The powderhorn was made from buffalo or domestic cattle horns, and many if not most were commercially produced, rather than fashioned by trappers themselves. A small measure often called a charger, hangs to the side for measuring powder. |
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| Virtually every man had a belt, to which was fastened a sheath with either a butcher knife or scalper. In keeping with a period account, a small pouch hangs below the sheath to carry a whetstone. This belt also has a strike a light pouch for the tinderbox, and a bait bottle containing the "medicine" to call beaver to the traps. A pistol, sometimes two, were tucked in the belt as well. The clay pipe is carried in a "gage d'amore" (token of love) pouch, worn round the neck. |
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| Personal Equipment |
| Sweaters? Learn about the Guernsey Frock |
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| Clay pipes, cavendish, plug and rope twist tobaccos |
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