Why British Guards Wear Bearskin Hat Straps Below Their Lip 

What do you think of the bearskin hats?

Please do your research before posting misleading information about The Guards. The adoption of the ‘Bearskin Cap’ came after the repulsion of of the French Imperial Guard at the battle of Waterloo 18th June 1815. As the British foot guards advanced killing the French, they collected Bearskin Caps as trophies. The cap design is a form of protection for ground troops of the period when facing cavalry attacks. The size of the cap made it difficult for mounted cavalry on the move to aim a sabre blow accurately at the head. The chin strap, or ‘Curb Chain’ as it is known was designed to deflect sabre slashes to the face. Ex British Army 1983-1995.

I agree with the comment below in reference to better research. I am a serving Guard, with 36 years of service. I spent over 10 years wearing that hat on parade, and 12 years as the Regimental Quartermaster. Here are a few corrections from the original video. The bearskin hat is made of Canadian Brown bear, which are dyed black. It takes 2-3 bears to create 1 hat as only the fur in the rump area can be used. Note there are a surplus of brown bears, particularly in Quebec, so there is no shortage of the furs. The lifespan of a bearskin hat, made in the simple original design (shell is wicker basket, fur stretch over and attached, with a leather strap where it contacts the head. 2 Clips are installed on the sides to hold the curb chain and one ring is attached along with a "hole" to attach the plume. Current cost to get one make from scratch (in Quebec Canada) is currently around $1300 for NCM and $1600 for Officer (6 inches taller). A properly made bearskin hat, with proper maintenance, and an occasional visit to a fur maker, can last 50-60 years. My last issue bearskin was made in 1972. THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE BEARSKIN HAT is to repel Calvary. Even the best trained horses can rarely avoid the fear of the smell of a bear. I have personally seen the effect of the bearskin hat on horses, and if the hat is wet, look out, the smell travels quite a distance. On a more amusing note the motto for PETA in their bearskin hat department is "Bare Skin, not Bear Skin". I have done a few parades where they were there to protest. Generally they protest naked, with their bodies painted. Environmentally the Bearskin hat is amazing, made of wicker, fur, leather and a bit of metal attachments. Given its life span it has minimal environmental effect. Thousands of brown bears are culled every year in Canada and it is one of the most available and cheapest furs. I have been personally involved in the testing of synthetic hats, and their environmental impact is large. Generally it is all plastic, looks like crap and has a life span of only a few years. The negative impact of its creation, constant replacements and disposal make the original design win out on the long term environment impact. Also note that as they are specific sizes you need to maintain a stock of 1200 to 1400 hats to fit out the apr 350 required for a guard Battalion. Watch the Musicians though, they have a habit of trimming the fur in the front of the hat, to read their music. It is not allowed, or needed as once you get used to the hat, the fur hanging over your eyes acts more like sunglasses and the guards see through it just fine. The position of the curb chain is also good for keeping the guards chin up. Final note the Tunics the Guards where, if made properly, have layers of material that actually absorb the sweat and act to cool the body. UP THE GUARD

Have they ever thought about making them out of synthetic bearskin fur?

Wearing chinstraps directly under the lip was first adopted by European Hussars during the 17th century. The metal scaling also gives a clue that the straps were worn this way to help deflect saber cuts to the face, as were the thick, tightly woven silk braids adorning their jackets. Some modern-day British hussar and lancer dress uniforms still bear the braid as well as chain maile epaulets, a further example of lightweight, minimalistic armor for protecting another notably vulnerable area of a cavalryman's body.

It wasn’t the ‘English’ who won against Napoleon, but the British. Just a little note there for you

the Bearskin was also tactical, snipers are trained to shoot at the top of the head with the rifles of the day. a bearskin could allow bullets to pass straight through ;)

I never thought it was weird… back in high school, our band, and every other HS band in the area wore metal link straps on the chin, regardless of what the hat was (shako, pith, or helmet). It interferes with the moving of the mouth and tongue less. So shouting orders or playing an instrument is easier.

Literally asked this question during the funeral, so thanks 👏

shame its bear fur.

Sucks that a whole bear was sacrificed for a small piece of his back skin.

no matter what you call it. that piece of metal must be really annoying just resting on your face like that. it would drive me crazy.

Thankyou for sharing ❤️.

First thing they'd have to do if they actually had to fend off any attackers in their role as guards, would be to ditch the hat.

I’d be more impressed with more ergonomic, practical & efficient uniform than something unnecessarily uncomfortable just for the sake of tradition.

Grenadiers are elite troops, the tallest and strongest men, taking the position of honour on the right of the line during battle. Grenadier Guards have the ability to inspire their fellow soldiers just by their presence

I can tell you, having lived my life among showgirls who wear hats a metre or more tall and weighing several kilos, all while dancing, a chinstrap under the chin aint gonna strangle no beefy guard

It isn't just the Grenadier Guards who wear the kerb chain around the chin, it's all FIVE regiments of the foot guards! No one wears it any differently.

Some traditions are meant to be broken

Many of the hats are also worn so low as it's hard to believe that the guards can see.

0:57, talks of English soldiers with bearskins and shows Scottish infantry with feather bonnets 🤦🏻‍♂️

They wear bearskin hat straps? I don't think so.

Also worn by the Irish Guards regiment of the British Army.

The bearskin is made of brown bear which are not endangered and need to be controlled then they are painted/dyed black. Real fur will easily last 50+years as opposed to to synthetic which don't last anywhere near the real bearskin or groom

.... and the English came out on top' - while showing a picture of the Scots Guards. Give me strength.

Cool video

In the Guards, the Bearskin hat as you call it is known as the Bearskin cap, not a hat, also the Guards wear the cap as a Battle Honor.

How many bears must be killed to keep these kooks in this look. Ridiculous! 🙄

It was developed mainly as a handy place to keep your sandwiches.

"We Don't Know Why British Guards Wear Bearskin Hat Straps Below Their Lip" - Just corrected the title of your video for you. No charge, you're welcome.

Because they are bear skin hats, do they keep marmalade sandwiches tucked in them?

Curb chains…..bearskin caps. If you post something then try to make it correct. The trusty matters.

Reguardless..

Charles wanted vegan anointing oil, but used bear fur for these hats. Let's move past irony.

It's called a Curb chain.. not strap..

i always wonder

Yup warfare changed you can tell they stood in straight line and fired I wear my full face bike helmet if I was in war would wear my battle helmet but if I was going to fight with that bear hat it would be the first thing I threw at them lol it looks cool with the red uniform

Many bears are killed for hats. And the wearers look silly.

1 bear PER HAT?! Thats ridiculous and unnecessary

If they outlawed ivory , they can outlaw this.

Dude ..... You like educated me and yet never answered the question,...... Why ?

The helmets & strap is completely non functional & ridiculous!

Out of tune it is the kings footman now since the queens dead Charles is king. Unless you to call a man a queen.

Red coats?😊

How many people has the Queen knighted in her reign

How is that impressive :))?... It's just funny and completely useless, the whole guard thing :)).

Because it makes them feel good about themselves and eases whatever guilt they may or may not have, if their friends all do the same. They don’t wear it because they really like bears!

I’m sorry but I have to say that your voice is very monotonous and you speak way too fast therefore I cannot enjoy your videos.

I am so glad that we could contribute our bears to Britain so they can make their bear-skin hats! NOT!!!😱🇨🇦

All the regiments of the Queens guards wears the brass chain chin strap below their lip and above the chin , the actual bearskin ( which is made out of fake man made hair , like hair use for making wigs , real bearskins haven't been used for over 200 hundred years and even back then officers only wore the real Mcoy ) has a color plume on either side of it to distinguish the different regiments ,

almost all the bearskins are synthetic . i managed to wangle a real one when i joined the Welsh guards back in 73 , off an old soldier friend . an old soldier is someone that has been the regiment for a long time . even then they where mostly synthetic . officers tend to wear the real ones .

Really does not make sense to be honest. Animal cruelty... Bottom line. There are much more economical hats that are available in these times.

They are no longer made of bear fur.

To all the commenters below about bear skin hats,, they are not real bear skins, they are man made fabric. relax.

They seriously look stupid in those hats. I've never seen them being worn in any other country. 😂