Heavy Winter Coats

[BigSkyRambler]

What would be a correct period style for a short, heavy wool coat in 1830s? I find pictures of dress or long military coats, but not what I imagine would have been typical for a mountain man. Something like this, only shorter, maybe?

 

[tenngun]

Coats tended to taylored and well fitting. Made from heavy wool blanketing instead of blankets. One thick wool had pronounced nap and was called bearskin. These are museum coats from the time period and examples of painted

 

[rich pierce]

Depends on who and where. If a man had to make one himself and what he had was a blanket and basic sewing skills, it might be quite simple. If a fella had one made by native women styles would vary quite a bit.

 

[tenngun]

Then there is commercial and what I think of as the first cowboy dusters, New Mexican long ridding coat. It would need be lined with woolen or it wouldn’t be to warm. Of course it makes a good tent as when lined it’s to heavy to move in

 

[kansas_volunteer]

I've seen the short capote at the Museum of the Fur Trade. It's about mid-thigh length on the manakin. If i were to ever make another capote it would be short. The long capote isn't well suited to horseback riding, which makes me wonder if short capotes might actually have been common in the west.

 

[tenngun]

We don’t see them on the box cut reservation style but I suspect most were split like the duffle above.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

What would be a correct period style for a short, heavy wool coat in 1830s

Here's three basic sizes for ya....

Man's Coat 1820-1830 - LONG, displayed at Victoria and Albert Museum

Man's Coat - MEDIUM - print from 1820

19th Century Man's "Sailor" jacket - Townsends

They would likely have mimicked fashions of the time a bit, and you will not that other than the double buttons, and the lapels, how similar the first is to the Canadian Capote that you posted.

LD

 

[BigSkyRambler]

I look at these tailored fashions and think there must have been working man styles that were shorter and roomier. The coat pictured by me seems a little long for ease of movement. Am I overthinking this?

 

[appalichian hunter]

I have a short capote comes just a bit to mid hip area ,is made of a heavy wool and very easy to get around in when hunting. The long ones are nice for camp but I find a bit much for hunting. Also no hood (never was much on hoods) I will wear a wool Canadian cap or a stocking cap.

 

[BigSkyRambler]

Appalachian Hunter. Got photos?

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I look at these tailored fashions and think there must have been working man styles that were shorter and roomier. The coat pictured by me seems a little long for ease of movement. Am I overthinking this?

I included the three sizes so that you would see from the waist to just below the knee caps, was OK. Could be a Capote as the images from the book, provided by Tenngun show..., or more like a regular coat.

The working guy might not have his coat fitted very well, but it would still be in a certain style, if townfolk or citifolk. I didn't show anything like a coat with tails, but they did have them, though probably not for winter in the woods.

So what you posted could be used without doubt, and could be shorter..,
You could do something like the Townsend sailor's jacket, but lengthen it to the crotch.

LD

 

[appalichian hunter]

I have tried to post pics of various items in the past no luck, I am very computer, cell phone challenged .

 

[appalichian hunter]

Just thought of something, go to the for sale section there is a capote there for sale. Mine comes to mid thigh no hood and it is red with a black stripe on the cuffs and bottom edge. it looks like that one only shorter and as I said no hood, I do not know who made the coat as I bought it years ago at conocheauge trading company near Chambersburg Pa., very well made and the wool is thick and very warm. Quality piece.

 

[appalichian hunter]

Forgot it also has a shoulder cape that adds to the warmth or could be pulled up around your neck if the wind is blowing

 

[toot]

the photo's are great.

 

[Jason Jablonski]

Thank you for sharing the pics and patterns. What book are those from? I started looking into making a capote or coat but am just gathering info as I am a newbie. That book looks like it would be helpful.

Thanks

 

[tenngun]

Hanson and Wilson Mountian Man Sketch books. I think you can still get them.

 

[tenngun]

Just looked up, they offer reprints on the ‘possibles shop’ web page.

 

[Jason Jablonski]

Just looked up, they offer reprints on the ‘possibles shop’ web page.

Thank you Sir, I'll look into it.