Beaver Fur Coats: Real Or Myth?

Beaver fur coats are very much a real thing. In fact, beaver fur was one of the most popular materials for coats and hats in the 1600s, and it's still going strong today. The fur is sourced from the two types of beaver: the Eurasian beaver, which was hunted to extinction in the 17th century, and the North American beaver, which is now the primary source of beaver fur. The fur is valued for its durability, warmth, and density, making it ideal for winter clothing. It's also naturally waterproof, which is a bonus for those facing wet winters.

History of beaver fur

Beaver fur has been used for centuries to create a variety of items, including coats, scarves, hats, blankets, bags, collars, cuffs, muffs, and gauntlets. The fur is valued for its durability, warmth, density, and soft texture.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, beaver fur was used as currency and was highly sought after by Europeans. The fashion for felt hats, inspired by those worn by Swedish soldiers during the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), created a rage for broad-brimmed beaver hats. As the Russian and Baltic beavers became extinct, people turned to North America for beaver pelts. The underfur of the North American beaver was ideal for making felt.

The beaver fur trade in North America was initiated by French, Dutch, and English settlers and explorers, in collaboration with various First Nations tribes. The trade soon expanded coast-to-coast and became one of the main economic drivers in North America, with Indigenous peoples depending on it as their primary source of income. However, by the mid-19th century, changing fashions in Europe brought about a collapse in fur prices, leading to the crashing of several fur companies and plunging many Indigenous communities into poverty.

The beaver hat-making process in the 18th and 19th centuries was lengthy and complex, requiring over 30 procedures. The beaver pelts were stripped of their outer guard hair and turned into felt through a process of combing, beating, and drying. The felt was then manipulated and shaped into hats, which were dyed, decorated, and waterproofed.

The beaver population in North America suffered significantly due to over-trapping, forest fires, and epidemics. However, as silk hats became popular in the 1820s, the demand for beaver hats decreased, providing a positive impact on beaver populations. Today, beaver fur is still used in the fashion industry, although vintage beaver fur hats and coats are now sought-after collectibles.

The rise of the fur industry

Beavers played a significant role in the rise of the fur industry. In the 1600s, as European colonists began exploring North America, a lucrative fur trade emerged between the Dutch, French, and English. Beavers were highly sought after due to the value of their pelts, which were used to make desirable hats in Europe. The beaver hat became a status symbol, with the style and shape of one's hat often revealing a person's religion and political leanings. The dense, durable, and waterproof nature of beaver fur made it ideal for hat making.

The establishment of the North American fur trade coincided with the depletion of European beaver populations, leading to a high demand for beaver pelts in the new colonies. The English, French, and Dutch colonists collaborated with Native American tribes to gain access to beaver sources in North America. Native Americans played a crucial role in the fur trade, as they possessed superior hunting and trapping skills as well as a deep familiarity with the land.

The beaver trade had far-reaching impacts on both the colonists and Native Americans. Competition for beavers led to warfare between Native American nations and the colonists. The introduction of European goods, such as firearms and metal tools, altered the power dynamics among Native American tribes and disrupted their traditional ways of life. The fur trade also contributed to the spread of diseases, such as smallpox, which devastated Native American communities.

The demand for beaver pelts in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries led to over-hunting, and beavers were almost driven to extinction in North America. This scarcity made beaver hats very expensive, and by the end of the nineteenth century, silk hats had replaced them as the new fashion trend.

The history of the beaver fur trade illustrates the complex dynamics between colonists and Native Americans, the environmental consequences of over-hunting, and the cultural significance of fur in society.

Beaver fur hats

In the 20th century, beaver fur continued to be a popular choice for hats, as well as other accessories like scarves and earmuffs. Today, beaver fur hats are still crafted and sold by various companies, often in the traditional trapper hat style. These hats are characterised by their soft, lush, and colourful beaver fur, which is tanned to keep the outer layer of longer fur smooth and the shorter dense underfur plush. The hide is also tanned to maintain flexibility, ensuring durability for everyday use.

Beaver fur is naturally waterproof, making it perfect for wet winters. The fur's semi-course guard hair also adds to its durability. The underfur of beaver is thick, making it incredibly soft to the touch and luxurious to wear. The natural colour of beaver fur is a beautiful brown, but it can also be dyed to create a variety of hues while maintaining its luminous shine.

Why beaver fur is still popular

Yes, beaver fur coats exist and are still popular today.

Beaver fur has been used for clothing people since the beginning of human history. Prized for their warmth, luxurious texture, and longevity, furs have been used for the production of outerwear, such as coats and capes, garment and shoe lining, head coverings, and ornamental trim and trappings.

Beaver fur, in particular, has a long history in the European fur trade. The physical structure of beaver fur makes it ideal for felting, which is a process that involves removing the fur from the pelt and applying heat and pressure to form a piece of pliable material. Due to the strength and malleability of felts, they were used extensively in hat-making. In fact, beaver hats were considered a symbol of prestige from the 1600s to the 1800s and were often worn by men for every occasion.

Today, beaver fur remains popular for its natural long fur, which provides a lustrous sheen, and its semi-course guard hair, which makes it more durable than other types of fur. In its natural or sheared form, beaver fur is warm enough for any winter expedition, snowy vacation, or evening out. The underfur of beaver is very thick, making it incredibly soft to the touch and luxurious to wear.

Additionally, beaver pelts are naturally waterproof due to the beaver's aquatic nature, making beaver fur coats ideal for wet winters. The fur is also elegant, vibrant, and lightweight, making it convenient and practical for a variety of occasions, from the coldest winter nights to the fanciest parties.

The popularity of beaver fur coats can also be attributed to the versatility of beaver pelts. In the past, beaver pelts were used not only for coats but also for blankets, bags, and even as currency during the 16th and 17th centuries. Today, beaver fur can be dyed to create a variety of colours while maintaining its luminous shine, allowing for the creation of extravagant combination coats with smooth panels and glamorous trim.

Different types of fur coats

There are many different types of fur coats, each with its own unique characteristics and price points. Here are some of the most popular types of fur used in coats:

Beaver Fur

Beaver fur is one of the warmest and most durable furs available. It has a lustrous sheen and a semi-course guard hair that makes it perfect for winter expeditions or evening wear. The underfur of beaver is incredibly thick and soft, providing excellent warmth. Beaver fur is also naturally waterproof, making it ideal for wet winters. You can find beaver fur in its natural state, which is a beautiful brown colour, or dyed to create extravagant combination coats. Beaver jackets typically range in price from $2,000 to $6,000.

Chinchilla Fur

Chinchilla fur is one of the most expensive and luxurious types of fur. It is dense while simultaneously being lightweight, soft, and silky. Each follicle on a chinchilla's body produces 60 hairs, making it the densest fur of any land-dwelling mammal. The most common colouration is a medium grey body with a black dorsal stripe and white underbelly. Chinchilla fur is perfect for special occasions as it provides a flashy and classic look. Jackets made from chinchilla fur can range in price from $6,000 and up.

Coyote Fur

Coyote fur is dense and durable, and available in a wide range of colours and qualities depending on the subspecies. It is often pale grey or tan in colour and provides excellent warmth. Coyote fur is becoming increasingly popular for its sporty look and is used for coats, hats, and blankets. Coyote jackets can range in price from $2,000 to $10,000.

Fox Fur

Fox fur is an affordable option that offers a wide range of natural colours, except for mink. It can be silver, cross, crystal, blue, red, grey, or white, and these colours can be dyed to create various desired colours. Fox fur is soft, dense, and has long, silky guard hairs. It is perfect for accessories such as collars, cuffs, wraps, and stoles. Fox jackets typically range in price depending on the type and dye, but they are generally affordable and suitable for most occasions.

Lamb Fur

Lamb fur encompasses a wide variety of weights, textures, and prices. There are several types of lamb fur, including Broadtail, Mongolian, Persian Lamb, Shearling, and Swakara. Broadtail fur has a natural flat morie pattern and can be found in brown, black, or grey colours. Mongolian fur is long and wavy, with silky guard hairs and a natural off-white colour. Persian lamb features flat, silky curls in black, brown, or grey colours. Shearling is a natural lamb pelt with a sueded or leatherized finish and is commonly reversible. Swakara lamb is the most expensive type, ranging from $6,000 to $10,000 due to its distinctive pattern of compact curves and swirls in the fur. Lamb fur jackets can range in price from $2,000 to $6,000, depending on the type.

Lynx Fur

There are three types of lynx fur: US (Cat Lynx), Canadian, and Russian. Lynx fur is lightweight, soft, and silky, with stunning markings. Canadian lynx, in particular, is known for its creamy white tones with darker markings, making it highly desired. Russian lynx is the whitest and softest, with subtle beige markings. The price of lynx fur varies depending on the source, with US lynx ranging from $2,000 to $6,000, Canadian lynx in a similar range, and Russian lynx starting at $15,000.

These are just a few examples of the different types of fur coats available, each with its own unique characteristics and price range. Other popular fur types include mink, rabbit, sable, raccoon, and more.

Frequently asked questions