Period winter coat

[Niederlander]

Gentlemen,  I've never really seen this addressed.  What was available for a winter coat in say, 1855?  I'm trying to find something that looks at least a little bit period correct that I can shoot in.

[Kent Shootwell]

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.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

The CAPOTE made from a couple of blankets might still be worn. It was a staple of the furtrade. Military topcoats or overcoats would have been common IMHO. Here is a wiki-hit for you to ponder;  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overcoat

P.S; A Capote pattern; http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/winter/gear/capote.htm

Kent; Nice coat. Shoot it yourself?

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[Kent Shootwell]

Yep, with a Sharps.

[Niederlander]

I would guess the average man out there wore some sort of wool coat, but would it have been a capote or a mackinaw of some kind?

Nice buffalo coat, by the way!

[Niederlander]

From what I'm seeing online, the pea coat and duffel coats would have been in use by that time.  I could see them, especially the pea coat, making their way west by our period.

[Tascosa Joe]

Check and see what went down on the Arabia.  It was headed upstream in 1858 if my memory serves.  The Arabia museum in KC is a must see for anyone interested in our time period.  And while you are in the KC area check out the museum at Fort Leavenworth.

[Niederlander]

Good idea!  I've been to the museum, but I wasn't specifically looking for coats at the time.  I'll try sending them an e-mail.

[Kent Shootwell]

At DeSoto Bend wild life resurve there is the Bertum steam boat display as well. That's just across the river in Iowa. Don't remember the date but a lot of stuff in remarkable condition.

[Blair]

Needs for warm outer clothing have been around for a very long time. (The "Arabia" is a very good place to start for this time period.)
They may run from fur (inside or out), leather to fleece, wool, linen and cotton, or any combinations thereof.
They maybe long and flowing like a cape, or like an overcoat of some sort. Or short wasted like a jacket and or anywhere in between.
The "P" jacket style is not a bad place to start.
Do a web search for what it is you want and like. Keep in mind the time period you want during your search.
I hope this helps.
My best,
 Blair

[Niederlander]

I'm leaning towards the pea coat right now, as (supposedly) the design hasn't changed much at all since at least 1800.  It's a really practical design, and all of my historical personas have at least a vague nautical background.  Works for me!

[Delmonico]

Wish I would have bought a dozen of these in 2005 before Barry and Stevens went under.  $6.95

[BlackHillsScout]

Delmonico, what coat is that? looks pretty nice.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Here is a history of the peacoat, with various theories for the origin of the name.  It doesn't mention the theory I have been told, that it meant a small or "petite coat", as opposed to a large or "great coat".

https://www.gentlemansgazette.com/peacoat-guide-history-sizing-buy/

P.S; I found another interesting google-hit. The Art of Manliness has a guide to current topcoats,. Most of them have histories going back to your period.

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2012/12/11/mans-guide-overcoats/

[Delmonico]

Delmonico, what coat is that? looks pretty nice.

Was sold at Barry and Stevens before they went under, sold "college clothes but had these for $6.99, wish I'd of bought a dozen,

[Lucky R. K.]

If this works there is a picture of a Capote I made a few years ago.  It was made from one Pendleton blanket and a pattern I found online.

Lucky

[PJ Hardtack]

Most capotes I've seen sag and bag after a while and are extremely unflattering on most people, especially those packing some extra poundage. Not particularly warm, either.

I bought an ex-USN pea jacket years ago and it suits very well. Also a heavy wool top coat that actually over laps my medium size frame!  I keep it closed with a wide leather belt.

[Books OToole]

I found a Swill Army coat at a thrift store for about $ 5.  I switched out the buttons for pewter ones.  (I've got more money in the buttons than the coat.)

Books

[Blair]

I joined the USN in 1969 and got the standard issue Pea Coat for that time period.
It was well made, but I found it to be rather heavy overall for the warmth it should have offered by itself, or with the normal uniform regulations to be warn underneath.
The "watch cap'' was fine while aboard ship during a watch, but not approved for Liberty. I hated it along with the wool jersey/jumper/sweater. The wool was quite coarse and very itchy if in contact with the skin.

My reason for posting this info, is that if you do not wear good layers of clothing underneath such coats/jackets, the cold can get through to you.
My best,
 Blair

[PJ Hardtack]

Yep! I spent two years of my Army life stationed at Churchill, Manitoba, on the shores of Hudson's Bay.

We had the best arctic clothing in the world at the time, starting with a heavy mesh undershirt and multiple layers, felt lined mukluks, wind pants and a pretty skookum parka with a tunnel hood.

Still, we were told that if we were unable to move due to injury or enemy action, we had 45 minutes of life remaining.

One of my fellow linemen had a tripod of telephone poles collapse under his weight and crashed on top of a pole, fracturing his femur.
I took off my parka and put it under him then trudged back to the truck to flag down a vehicle with a radio, another lineman staying with him. We alternated every 15 on the clock.

It took almost an hour to get help by radio and the injured man was now incoherent, convulsing with the cold and shock, in the advance stages of hypothermia.