Post by spence on Nov 30, 2019 14:16:45 GMT -7
Many years ago I made a pair of moccasins said to be based on a pair excavated at Fort Ligonier. Since then I've seen quite a few opinions expressed that they are not authentic, that the Fort Ligonier moccasin was not like that, was more like a regular center seam version. I spent a few minutes browsing the report of the archaeological dig at Fort Ligonier posted by straekat in the Library forum and found a description of one type of moccasin from the dig. I am very pleased to see that it matches mine almost exactly. Here's the description from the report:
[pg. 108] "Moccasins recovered and studied: I (Plate 32)"
"This moccasin is made of three sections of leather. The uppers are of two sides which extend from toe to heel (one is a mirror image of the other). The sole is made of one piece of leather, is held to the uppers with in-and-out leather stitching. The stitching does not go completely through the sole, so is protected from wear.. The uppers are held together at the heel with a spiral stitch. The front sections of the upper have a spiral stitch beginning at the ankle, changing two-thirds of the way to the toes to plaiting, which continues to the tip, where a coil is formed and knotted. An ornamental strip of leather about 1.25 inches wide is attached to the uppers, framing the opening where the foot is inserted. This section, which can be flipped up, is held in place by lacing that also secures the moccasin to the ankle when tied. The moccasin was worn on the left foot and the sole appears to have been shaped for a left foot."
And here is my moccasin, made of three pieces just as described:
I made mine of moose hide with a higher top and two soles from the get-go, but otherwise the same. With liners constructed with the same three pieces but also three soles, made from a surplus wool blanket, they keep me warm on very chilly days.
Thanks for the link, straekat. I'm feeling muuuuuch better, now.
Spence
[pg. 108] "Moccasins recovered and studied: I (Plate 32)"
"This moccasin is made of three sections of leather. The uppers are of two sides which extend from toe to heel (one is a mirror image of the other). The sole is made of one piece of leather, is held to the uppers with in-and-out leather stitching. The stitching does not go completely through the sole, so is protected from wear.. The uppers are held together at the heel with a spiral stitch. The front sections of the upper have a spiral stitch beginning at the ankle, changing two-thirds of the way to the toes to plaiting, which continues to the tip, where a coil is formed and knotted. An ornamental strip of leather about 1.25 inches wide is attached to the uppers, framing the opening where the foot is inserted. This section, which can be flipped up, is held in place by lacing that also secures the moccasin to the ankle when tied. The moccasin was worn on the left foot and the sole appears to have been shaped for a left foot."
And here is my moccasin, made of three pieces just as described:
I made mine of moose hide with a higher top and two soles from the get-go, but otherwise the same. With liners constructed with the same three pieces but also three soles, made from a surplus wool blanket, they keep me warm on very chilly days.
Thanks for the link, straekat. I'm feeling muuuuuch better, now.
Spence