James O. Pattie’s Personal Narrative is a prime source for the history of the Southwest during the 1820s. He, and a group of fur trappers, set out on a journey from St. Louis to California and back. After Jed Smith’s trip this journey, which began in 1824, is the second known expedition to California. This remarkable book […]
In his own homey words, James Clyman relates his experiences in the heyday of the American fur trade and during the peak of immigration to Oregon and California. Clyman was a member of Jedediah Smith’s first brigade, which discovered South Pass and opened the inter-mountain West to the beaver hunters. Crossing the country during the […]
This is an outstanding sketchbook of the fur trade, the origin of its demand, the barters, transporters, traders, trading places, gatherings, personal belongings and accidents. The voyageur and fur trade enthusiast will thoroughly enjoy this book that is filled with over 150 detailed illustrations. Author Robert Wheeler demonstrates the importance of bringing together the object […]
We recommend this book to any serious buckskinner researching ideas for authentic camp accoutrements. This book is your guide to the guns and gear of the trappers, hunters and fur traders who explored and opened the Old West. Pictures and text describe the early period of 1820 through 1840. Softbound, 448 pages.
Period: Colonial Description: In the Red River Settlement, it would appear that the men of the Settlement, as well as the officers of the two great fur companies, for winter wear, favored great coats as opposed to capotes. Indeed, Northwesters were referred to as “Greycoats” whereas their Hudson’s Bay Company counterparts were referred to as “Bluecoats”. Whether […]
Period: Regency/Romantic Description: This capote reflects European both style lines and the use of a blanket from which it was made. Size & Fitting Info: S, M, L, & XL Manufacturer: Country Wives
Period: Colonial Description: Whether for a gentleman, a shopkeeper or a country farmer – waistcoats were worn. Extant inventories tend to indicate the tme importance of the waistcoat with men possessing a significant number far exceeding their day to day requirements. Mr. Peter Fidler, a surveyor of the Hudson’s Bay Company had 24 waistcoats listed in his […]
Buckskinning is a branch of historical reenactment concentrating on the fur trade with different areas in the period of the Old West (approximately dated between 1800 to 1840). Participants may choose to portray mountain men, American Indians, traders, missionaries, or anybody else who might have been in the Rocky Mountains between 1800-1840. Buckskinning grew out […]
There are historical costuming events for people to enjoy held all over this country. While we, personally, attend mostly Colonial period events, we have patterns for costumers of most popular historical time periods. Most are in stock and ready to ship right out but if there is something that you are looking for that we […]
A pow wow is a social gathering held by many different Native American communities. The word derives from the Narragansett word powwaw, meaning “spiritual leader”. A similar gathering by California Native Peoples usually in the fall is called a Big Time. A modern pow wow is a specific type of event for Native American/First Nations […]