Basic Gear of the Mountain Men 

Thanks for the comment and sounds like you enjoyed the video. It does seem like making time to go outside is certainly a thing we have to be deliberate about. Easy to let life suck you into a rat race. Like you said, we should be good people, and I know my time outdoors helps me with that. Thanks again

Yeah, I was in high school when Jeremiah Johnson came out. I couldn't afford college and didn't learn enough outdoor survival skills from the movie, so I went into the army instead. Eventually, I did make it into reenacting -- French and Indian Wars and also GAOP (Golden Age of Piracy) as a schooner captain.

Yes, sir. A helpful book for sure.

I like Bushcraft for reference,but agree you need a good sack for your balls

Very true. I wrote about that in this article. Hope you enjoy the content: www.frontierlife.net/blog/2019/8/23/why-the-mountain-men-went-west?rq=gowan

Your Point Eloi?

We can't forget about hatchet jack..

Nope, they could live off roadkill if they had to.

Natural selection.

Thanks Don. I think it would be interesting to see the colonial gear. Technology in that kit would be quite a bit different. Thanks for stopping by.

You bet. Thanks for checking it out!

You bet. Thanks for checking it out!

Thanks! I really hope it helps people better understand the Jemmey Fletcher books.

You bet. Thanks for stopping by

Thanks, William. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Thanks, Kalis. Glad you found it interesting.

Thanks, and thanks for checking out the channel!

I get what you're saying and some of the stuff is basically the same. Personally, I like the simplicity of the gear (historical or modern). It's about building skills and not taking a bunch of gear into the woods to be able to stay. Thanks for stopping by.

I get it. Modern is fast, effective ect. As for me I like to challenge myself n see how I stack up with the folks from 1700's/1800's it's exciting and very fun using the equip. Ect. Then of course passing that experience n knowledge down to my kids n seeing them do it by themselves is satisfying

Glad you found it helpful Terry. Good luck as you start to put an outfit together.

Thanks for the comment Daniel. I wish I could say I knew how to make my own tin cup, but this is a Crazy Crow purchase. haha. Thanks for stopping by

@@FrontierLife it's my pleasure! Thanks for the kit overview! I love the 19th century, but I'm trying to do research into different EDC kits and your video was perfect! I mostly study 15th century England, but a lot of the items would be similar.

Ohhh, tin. I've done a lot of blacksmithing during my 68 years and I've ALWAYS wanted to play around and make some tin stuff. It's not lookin' likely in this lifetime, though.

Thanks Brianne! Hope you both enjoy it

Thanks Will! Glad you are finding it helpful and hope you like the books

Thanks John. Glad you found it helpful!

Glad you like the videos.

You bet. Also got a video on how to make one if you are interested. Thanks for stopping by

I learned something new today, "market wallet" I read a LOT about yesteryear never heard of the market wallet I don't know how I've missed that info. Thanx bud

@@jeremystepp6117 Glad you found it helpful sir.

Hey Rob, thanks for checking the video out, and I'm glad you found it helpful. Also, thanks for the suggestion on new content. I'm always looking for new ideas, just need to find the time! In regards to your book question, here is a link to a blog post on my website. I think it should be just what you are looking for. Thanks again, and good luck with your book search. www.frontierlife.net/blog/2021/3/29/best-mountain-man-books

Glad you enjoyed it Paul

Good question and I guess I can't say for certain. Every project I have done (I think) is done with the skin side out, so I never really thought about switching it. You might be on to something for this particular project. Good luck with your build!

Thanks Stuart. I've made fire with magnifying glasses, but never have actually used the one on the tobacco tins. I do quite a lot of solo bushcrafting/living history myself, and can understand why you enjoy it! Good luck taking your kids with you. Mine are all fired up to do some spring camping. haha. Take care, and thanks for stopping by.

@@FrontierLife hi there! Please forgive the delay but I decided to head out early and try some things. I used the HB tin lid (with the glass) and it worked perfectly. Cooked some bacon and heated coffee all without using flint or a striker or matches. That’s grand! Glad you enjoy getting out too. Springs sneaking in so won’t be long. Good luck! Hope you & yours have a great time and stay well

@@Hardrada88 Glad to hear it all worked out for you! Keep getting after it Stu!

You bet, sir. Glad it helped.

Thanks 👍 Glad you liked the video, and hope you'll enjoy things in the future

@@FrontierLife I bet I will.

Glad you enjoyed the video, and thanks for stopping by

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for stopping by!

Glad you enjoyed it

Thanks!

Yes, I believe it is. I've always liked a little fiddle music.

I'd be happy to give you my understanding of fringe. First, fringe is supposed to help water run off of your seams. This applies to all articles of buckskin and keeps things more dry. Secondly, the fringe can serve as a thread if you have clothing/gear repair. Other natural threads would have been plant cordage and sinew, both of which take a good deal of effort to produce. I hope this helps.

Thanks for the comment James. I definitely would agree that most trappers carried flintlocks. Still, percussion cap guns were gaining a foothold toward the end of the rendezvous period. One of these days I might get a flinter, but I enjoy shooting and hunting with a percussion cap all the same. If you're interested here is a link to the American Mountain Man's website that has the trade goods brought to rendezvous in 1836. It shows 10 boxes of percussion caps were brought out and shows gun flints were brought out as well. Thanks again for the comment and for checking things out! www.mtmen.org/mtman/html/rmo1836.html

@@FrontierLife You go ahead and do you, regardless of those who would school you otherwise. There's no test at the end and you're having a great time. You're doing just fine, and as your journey continues you will add or replace many items. Keep it up.

@@HistoryOnTheLoose appreciate the support. I don't get real bothered by people critiquing the videos. Of course, I've gotten a bunch of good feedback with good points worth consideration. But, like you said, there is no test at the end. If I can learn more accurately about the past, I'm good. Thanks again and glad you liked the videos.

Thanks, Lobo. I appreciate you checking it out.

@@FrontierLife I’ve got a friend that wears his buckskins all the time, had the pleasure to pack and guide with him in the Selway! He gave me my camp name runs with the wind. Bear Claw and you would get along great

@@lobopropredatorcontrol Sounds like quite a guy. By the looks of your profile picture, you spend quite a little time in the backcountry yourself. Wolf?

@@FrontierLife yes sir, I trap wolves and other fur ! I was a federal trapper for a while. Oh Bear Claw got on a TV show called the Boonies if ya want to check it out. I believe it’s on net geo

@@lobopropredatorcontrol Keep up the good work. I try and run a line on coyotes down here in the winter. Not as long as I'd like, but enjoy it all the same.

You bet Zac Blonien! Good to hear from you

@@FrontierLife good to see and hear from you as well!

Thanks for the comment James. I've actually been thinking about tinkering with my shot setup a little while. It's interesting you've had such good success with a setup that is actually a little larger than your bore. Sounds like you've got your rifle dialed in. Has hunting season started for you yet? We've got to wait until December here. Thanks again for stopping by and take care.

@@FrontierLife yes, our season is in and the rut is in. And your welcome friend.

*pemmican :)

Thanks for the comment. I've watched a few episodes and have big respect for the people who have done it. From the outside looking in, those people have the deck stacked against them though. I'm surprised they do as well as they do. Testament to them I supppose.

Thanks for the comment and subscription, Casey! Also, I appreciate you pointing out about the matches. I actually covered some of those lesser-known items in a different video. If you're interested, you might enjoy the link below to "Unexpected Gear of the Mountain Men" if you haven't already seen it. Thanks again for the comment, and enjoy the channel. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3J56QsUe564.html

@@FrontierLife Thank you very much for the link

You bet. Enjoy! @@caseylewis2835

Hey Allen, good question. Perhaps the best source I've seen on this particular question comes from a RU-vidr Teton Todd. Here is a link to the video he made on the subject. Hope it helps. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7mJdjZAhq8k.html

Great observation. Here are a few links that I have found to address your question. #1: Robert Campbell's 1832 accounts list that "Bought of Hill & M Gunnegle - 1 Keg 250 @ Lead. 6 1/4. 15.63. Honestly, not sure what to make of those numbers. Hope somebody can chime in on the topic. www.mtmen.org/mtman/html/campacct.html #2: The initial inventory of uncached goods at Fort Hall in 1834 record having "173 lbs lead 6 1/4 cents" and "162 lbs lead 6 1/4 cents". That means 335 total pounds of lead were available at the fort in late summer 1834. That's not as much as I would have imagined for a "bulk" distributor. www.mtmen.org/mtman/html/fthall/init_inv.html #3: Invoice of goods furnished by the Rocky Mountain Outfit in 1837 indicates at several points of "small bar lead" being sold individually, and by the box. www.mtmen.org/mtman/html/rmo1837.html #4: Maybe the best to your specific question, here is a list of goods Ashley took to rendezvous in 1825. It lists people by name and the amount of lead they bought. www.mtmen.org/mtman/html/ashlist.html I'm sure there is quite a little more information on this, and hopefully, some others may offer sources toward the question. Also, I think there are a few other factors that play a role in determining the amount of lead a trapper carried. First, trappers worked in large groups, so there was probably some efficiency gained there. Two, lead was frequently reclaimed from a kill if that was possible. Three, while in the trapping grounds, trappers frequently ate beavers. Fourth, it probably depended on the time period as well. By 1840 there were more forts built than there were in 1825. That meant more places to resupply throughout the year. All of these may have decreased the amount of lead they decided to carry. Thanks for the comment and hope some of this helps answer your question.

@@FrontierLife Good info but still hard to make sense of some of the numbers, though some make sense. One order says '200 lead, 150 powder' and I'm assuming thats in pounds and that seems like a fair amount to have on hand.I wonder what the common method was to keep powder dry then? Interesting lists and people on it for sure! I see lots of fish hooks....what was the line used? I know some used silk in those days but didnt see any reference to it or fishing line.....maybe horsetail hair?

@@leveractiongypsy1848 Glad you found it somewhat helpful, and interesting. I'm under the impression that powder was carried in small kegs on pack animals to stay dry. As far as fishhooks, they did sell many silk scarfs at rendezvous so they might have used them. I also have seen some stuff online showing how to make it from horsehair, so I think you are on the right track with both assumptions.

Liver Eater.Del Gue.1900.About John Johnson two places in the book describe the loadout for Trapping and a Horse Trading Trip to the Camps of Friendly Flatheads and What people fancyed.

Hey Derek, thanks for the question. In terms of daily gear like featured in this video, it would have stayed more or less the same. There would have been a couple of winter clothing items they would have made sure to get their hands on. First, would have been a buffalo robe. One or two of these can go a LONG way to keeping a guy warm. They could make them or trade a Native person for them. If you watch the Shinin' Times video promo on my channel you can see how they may have used it. The second major item was the capote. These wool blanket coats were widely used on the frontier. This blog has some information on them: www.frontierlife.net/blog/2019/12/28/mountain-man-coats . They also would have likely used fur mittens/hats/moccasins as well, but as far as I know, there are not a ton of primary sources indicating this. Winter was a good time for them to more or less lay low, and they mostly made winter quarters and tried to stay warm and dry. Hope you are liking the content and let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks, Phillip. I bought the hat from an Etsy seller Hats by Grizz and then did some steam shaping of my own. Here is the link to his store. www.etsy.com/shop/HatsByGrizz?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=271362362

Yep, you're correct there. The way I understand it, in the early 1830's caps were rare, but by 1840 a large number of trappers had converted to percussion caps. Thanks for your comment and checking the video out.

Glad you enjoyed it Nancy!

Thanks for the comment Jerry. Another fellow asked about sewing kits and yes they would have had them. Right now I can't say my sewing gear is historically accurate so I didn't include it in the video. Also, it's just a basics video so I didn't include everything. Thanks again for the comment and hope you enjoyed the video.

haha. I have a feeling more than a few guys wish they would have had a translation dictionary in their pocket. Thanks for checking it out!

Hey there. You're right that there are other items that could have been featured in this video that were omitted. The reality is that by the end of the rendezvous period mountain men had access to a huge variety of tools, gear, textiles, and other items. There are lots of things I could have included. However, the video doesn't showcase everything they could have carried, it simply shows some basic items. As far as the pistol goes, you are also correct that they had access to pistols. However, actual business records of the time don't indicate they were universal. Here is a link to the 1836 RMO Invoice of trade goods, and you can see pistols are not represented nearly as much as long guns. In fact, there are relatively few recorded. www.mtmen.org/mtman/html/rmo1836.html This is also reflected in the Alfred Jacob Miller paintings of the time. Pistols are shown, but probably not common enough to be included in this video. Finally, on the gun repair kit, you're correct. A gun repair kit probably would have been worth including. Thanks for your comment.

@@FrontierLife thanks for getting back to me. Perhaps you could do a separate video on gun repair kits that would have been typical of the time period, which Mnt Men would have had universal access to, and even include some statistics about how often they were purchased, and which ones were more preferred, above another, if that information is available.

Hats made by Grizz: www.etsy.com/listing/717613863/classic-lil-grizz-mountain-man-hat?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=mountain+man+hat&ref=sr_gallery-1-8&col=1

10-4. Hugh Glass was quite a man. I wish the movie would have been more accurate...

Hey Bob, thanks for your question. Yes, you do need to lubricate the patch in some way. Some patches come pre-lubricated. Some people create their own. In a pinch, you can use a "spit patch" which can get the job done. And, yes, traditionally at least, bear fat probably would have been one of the top choices.

Hey, thanks for your input kcstott. It's always good when people share details like this!

Shovels were definitely available. Actually, here in 1837 it says that "1/2 dozen spades" were taken to rendezvous: www.mtmen.org/mtman/html/rmo1837.html.

Leave the body's 4 D scavengers

Thanks for checking it out. I'm a trapper as well, but only ran hounds once. Hunted coons behind my cousin's redbond and had a blast. What kind of hounds do you run?

@@FrontierLife I have a yard full of Upson Blueticks

@@houndsman406 Awesome. I hope you are getting out this time of year and running them. I have a friend from Kentucky that moved out west here and says he misses those weekly coon hunts

Thanks for pointing that out. Yes, flintlocks were most common in 1830, but by 1840, percussion were most common for the reason you stated. As far as the mountain men trapping beaver to near extinction, it gets a little complicated. Most of the deliberate trapping to extinction was done by the British in order to create a "fur desert." This was a political move to maintain control of the Northwest. I'm not saying American mountain men were conservationists by any stretch of the imagination, they certainly over-trapped. Just pointing out that extermination was a policy adopted by the British and not the Americans. Thanks for checking out the video. Here is a link to more about the fur desert: onda.org/oregon-the-beaver-state/

@@FrontierLife The reign of King Charles I of England (1625-1642) witnessed high demand for beaver top hats, spurred by the evolving fashion trends across Europe. By the late 17th century, beavers had become nearly extinct in Europe due to this skyrocketing demand. However, the European hat industry found salvation in North America, which provided an alternate source of supply, thus leading to the birth of the fur trade.

10-4. Already ahead of you. Her name is Jules, bought her as a yearling, started her under saddle last year, and she is headed to the high country this summer.

Firearms, Traps, and Tools of the Mountain Men. Here is a link to Amazon: www.amazon.com/Firearms-Traps-Tools-Mountain-Men/dp/1602399697/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&qid=1605545755&refinements=p_27%3ACarl+P.+Russell&s=books&sr=1-5

Hey Dositheos, thanks for the comment. Yes, mules were widely used across the frontier. They were also particularly useful for the mountain men's nomadic lifestyle. That being said, if you read the journals the men did frequently use horses as well. I think the mountain man mule/horse debate might be comparable to a Ford/Chevy debate today. At the end of the day, both were used to get people and things from Point A to Point B. If you're interested more on the topic, here is a post where I pulled out some journal entries specifically talking about mules and mountain men. I hope it helps. www.frontierlife.net/blog/2020/4/13/mules-and-mountain-men?rq=mule Also, to circle back around to the point of gear, I say "horse gear" but that doesn't mean just horses. Bits, headstalls, and saddles could all have been used on different animals. Yes, today we have different tack constructed to match the different anatomy of the two species, but something tells me that Jim Bridger would not have hesitated for a second to throw whatever saddle he had on either a horse or a mule. Thanks again for stopping by and checking things out!

Gav. Absolutely. Thanks for pointing that out. It's one of the details that I haven't included in my books but need to.

@@FrontierLife it just occurred to me, if the hunter was killing and butchering, no need to waste lead !

@@GavTatu No doubt.

"Damn sure acts like one though" haha! Thanks for the comment.

There's a Volume button lol

Seriously this man is watching a video about mountain men and he is sitting here crying about the sound of music I'm sure John johnston would've loved to hear to load of a banjo rather than indians that are trying to kill and scalp him for 2 days straight while he's hiding wedged in a hole. Take your tears some where else snowflake.

Thanks for clearing up that detail.

@@FrontierLife any time

Thanks for pointing that out Tom.

Hey Ian. Thanks for the comment. As for nipple pick, I generally don't carry one, but James Hanson's "Mountain Man Sketchbook Vol. 2" does show vent picks. The same book also shows a starter. I don't always use one, and the one I do use is plastic so I omitted it. Need to get around to making a wooden one! Thanks again.

@@FrontierLife loved your list I do have a wood starter I live in the UK so I’m restricted on gun use and my license has run out so not using any at moment

@@ianmelonie6440 Sorry to hear that. I hope you can get back to burning some powder soon! Thanks again for stopping by

Generally if your rifle is set up right you don’t need a short starter your thumb will do. But very few rifles are set up correctly lol

@@patriothaven671 Yeah, I don't always use one, but once in awhile they do come in handy. Thanks for stopping by!

haha. It's a here today and gone tomorrow kind of world. Just trying to keep up with the pace

Hey Simon, Thanks for your comment. The fringe on all buckskin is supposed to wick away the moisture from the seam. Basically, the water is supposed to run down the fringe and off the bag. Hope this helps.