Period winter coat

[Gabriel Law]

We don't shoot "Cowboy" here in the winter.  The reasons will be obvious viewing the above image.  But we do shoot our muzzle loaders all year long.  I wear wool in winter.  My capote has a triple thick cape on my shoulders, and it keeps me warm and dry in the snow.  We do not shoot if the temperature drops below about  - 15 C.  At my ripe age, my hands can't take the cold like they used to.

[Good Troy]

This is my winter coat, and yes I can shoot both rifle and pistol while wearing it. Not competition type but it's 13 pounds of warmth.

Kent...if that coat was red with a white collar, you'd not only be period correct but seasonally correct as well!  You could pass for Ole St. Nick!

[PJ Hardtack]

Hey Gabe - where's yer snowshoes?

Ever have one of those "Why didn't I ...." moments that haunts you forever? At a gun show, a guy was selling an 'as new/unissued' buffalo coat with a Winnipeg police force label. Fit me perfectly. The reason it was unissued was that it was in size small - not many cops that size.

I balked, changed my mind and by the time I returned, the coat was gone!

I'm sure many of you could tell similar stories of 'the one that got away'.

[Kent Shootwell]

Good Troy, Are you saying I'm fat?     I've had little kids take me for Santa from time to time, I play along of coarse! Ho Ho

[Good Troy]

Good Troy, Are you saying I'm fat? 

NOT at all! I forgot to point out that distinction.  The similarity is the beard, hair, brow and jovial expression.   

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
I purchased a wool coat from Sportsman's guide that was cheap and very warm . Sorry my rifle is from a different period .

[Tsalagidave]

Buffalo Robes are well documented to the period of 1855.  There are a number of clothiers who make wool overcoats in addition to the capote patterns that are relatively inexpensive (Couple of hundred for a good Hudson Bay blanket and pattern.)

It you want to go a little cooler, layer yourself in a good frock or sack, vest and flannel shirt.  There are some relatively inexpensive costume-grade clothing makers and then there are those who add the extra TLC for a little more but its typically worth it.

One of my favorite things to do is wear common period clothing items that look farby but are spot on authentic.  Wear a knit stocking cap or Balaclava on your head with a period pullover under your coat. There are period repros out there and originals to back them up.  Welcome to the club.  I think you'll have a lot of fun here.

-Dave

[PJ Hardtack]

Howdy
I purchased a wool coat from Sportsman's guide that was cheap and very warm . Sorry my rifle is from a different period .

"Sorry ..."? You sound like a Canadian! We're everlastingly sorry for any and everything - even the weather. The rest of the world says - "Pardonnez-moi", "Entshuligentsie(?)", "Excuse me", but a Canadian is "Sorry".

One of the ways to pick a Canuck out of the herd.

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
I've been called  lots of things BUT never a Canadian .

[PJ Hardtack]

Take it as a compliment. Means you're polite.

[rbertalotto]

Bertrand Cargo...."Seven different styles of mens coats"

Excavated artifacts

Display of artifacts recovered from the Bertrand.
The cargo found on the excavated Bertrand provides a unique glimpse into the material life of Virginia City, Montana Territory. The steamboat was full of clothing, tools, food and various consumer items on their way upriver. The ship's cargo amounted to roughly 283 cubic meters. The collection includes: dried and salted beef, mutton and pork; oysters; pepper sauce; strawberries, peaches and peanuts; mustard from France; many bottles of whiskey including bourbon; brandy and brandied cherries; and medicine bottles. There were over 3,000 textiles and clothing items, including gloves, hats, trousers and 137 men's coats in seven different styles. Household goods included mirrors, clocks and silverware; and there were various building supplies for the growing town. The largest consignment of the goods was bound for the Vivian and Simpson retailer in Virginia City. They would have also been sold from log cabin stores in the surrounding towns, including that of Frank Worden, the founder of Missoula.

Many of the goods were beyond the expectations for a primitive mining town. The ship also carried everything necessary to mine the Montana claim, including blasting powder, pickaxes and shovels. All the goods were fully insured, and the insurance company ultimately reimbursed the merchants for their losses. The men and women on the frontier were not totally isolated from the rest of the country and its consumption and fashion habits, but appear to have been relatively integrated and informed. The artifacts from the Bertrand represent the evidence of what kinds of goods flowed from St. Louis to the Montana territory during this important period of American state formation. More generally, water travel and the development of the steamboat played a major role in the settlement and development of America.

In 1974, samples of canned food from the wreck, including brandied peaches, oysters, plum tomatoes, honey, and mixed vegetable, were tested by the National Food Processors Association. Although their appearance, smell and vitamin content had deteriorated, there was no trace of microbial growth and the food was determined to be still safe to eat.[6]

[Niederlander]

Good find!  I just sent them an e-mail.

[Books OToole]

Howdy
I've been called  lots of things BUT never a Canadian .

Take it as a compliment. Means you're polite.

Rowdy is a lot of things but at his core he is a Southern Gentleman.

Books

[Rowdy Fulcher]

howdy
thanks for the kind words . Wish everyone a merry Christmas . Maybe Santa will bring you that period coat your after .

[Niederlander]

Heard back from the Bertrand director today.  He said he'll try to get me photos of the seven different styles of coat after the first of the year.  Should be good info!

[Oregon Bill]

Please share when you get them! I was looking at the De Soto Refuge site and did not find any.

[Niederlander]

I plan on it! I always like it when people share the information they've found.  I'm looking forward to seeing what they have!

[Coffinmaker]

Don't forget to make them an offer for some of those TASTY canned goods.   

Coffinmaker

[Niederlander]

Tempting...........but no!  I'll pass on the hundred sixty year old canned goods!

[Oregon Bill]

Canned goods? Ya mean "airtights"?