Category Archives: Historical Clothing and Equipment

Mountain Man Axe

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Gabe the Shootist

Recently I found a axe head that matches the axe head depicted in the “Mountain Man Sketchbook Vol 2.”  I found a straight handle 28″ long at House Handles and put together my own mountain man axe.

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Trousers & Pantaloons

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Gabe the Shootist

I wear cloth trousers & pantaloons as well as leather.  These have either a drop front or a buttoned French fly as shown in the picture.  Rex Allen Norman in his 1837 sketch book says “cloth trousers were….mostly in blue”. … Continue reading →

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Blue Coat

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Gabe the Shootist

I wear a blue cloth coat as documented by Alfred Jacob Miller.

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My Hat

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Gabe the Shootist

I wear a hat very much like Pierre’s hat.  Pierre was a mule riding half breed with Stewart’s party to the 1837 rendezvous.

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Buckskin leggins

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Gabe the Shootist

I recently completed some buckskin leggins.  They are made from a brain tanned deer hide.  They have a slightly greasy feel to them, so I did not add anything to them.  I’m sure they will darken with use.  I got … Continue reading →

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Some Thoughts on Smoke

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Gabe the Shootist

We live in what is rapidly becoming a smoke-free world.  No smoking of cigarettes.  No more smoke from power plants.  Warnings from the State as to whether you can build a fire in your fireplace or not(blue days, red days). … Continue reading →

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The World Market of the Mountain Men

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Gabe the Shootist

During another online chat about the clothing of the Rocky Mountain trapper, my friend Scott made a great comment about the world market of the American West: Scott:  “My only point about settlement clothing, and it’s just my two cents: Be careful … Continue reading →

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We All Came From Somewhere.

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Gabe the Shootist

During an online chat about authentic clothing and gear, a friend of mine made a comment about your back story being an influence on your preferences for the type & style of the clothing and gear you use as a … Continue reading →

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Souliers de boeuf

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Gabe the Shootist

Years ago, when I was involved in the Great Lakes Fur trade I became very fond of  my heavy cowhide moccasins.  This type of moccasin was made in Montreal for use by the voyageurs.   The cordonniers of Montreal also used … Continue reading →

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Side seam moccasins

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Gabe the Shootist

Here are a pair of side seam moccasins, I made recently.  These were the most common style of moccasins in the Rocky Mountain west.  Alfred Jacob Miller described the mountain men leaving rendezvous as having “twenty pairs of moccasins” packed … Continue reading →

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