Coonskin caps, made from raccoon fur, were used by Native Americans for hunting and as a symbol of status. They became popularized by figures like Davy Crockett and were a fashion trend in the 1950s, but have since fallen out of style. Today, they are mainly used in theatrical productions and historical restorations.
Coonskin caps are a type of hat that have been identified with the early years of the American frontier. Essentially, the coon fur cap is made up of fur from a raccoon’s body, complete with the animal’s tail. In many versions, the raccoon’s head is left intact and is located on the front section of the cap.
The origin of the coon fur cap dates back to the Native Americans. Several tribes used the cap as a practical part of clothing when hunting, while in other groups the raccoon fur cap could indicate a position of prominence among the people. When the first European settlers began to move into what are the modern states of Kentucky and Tennessee, they quickly became aware of the use of the coon fur cap as part of hunting clothing.
Many people associate the coonskin cap with frontier figures like Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett. According to folklore, neither of the knights wore a pigskin cap in daily life. The story goes that a young actor playing a frontiersman to promote a popular song from the 1820s helped create the overall frontiersman persona with moccasins, buckskins, and a pigskin cap. In later years, Davy Crockett is said to have donned the cap when making public appearances, but otherwise made no use of the helmet. It was said that Daniel Boone had no love for the moleskin cap at all, preferring to wear fedoras instead.
In vogue, the coonskin cap was at its peak during the 1950s, when the new medium of television offered children an adventure show built around the exploits of Davy Crockett. Children in both the United States and the United Kingdom were caught up in the fad. However, these later versions of the coonskin cap were not made from actual raccoons. Faux fur was used for the body and tail, and a simple cloth lining was used to complete the cap. While geared towards young children, some entrepreneurs have also designed a coonskin cap design for young girls, often using white faux fur as the material of choice.
For several years, the raccoon fur cap was the favorite of many boys and girls. The fashion continued into the 1960s with a television set based on the adventures of Daniel Boone. However, by the end of that decade, fashion had run its course and young people began to take their fashion cues from other sources.
Today, the coon fur cap is still available. Often the cap is made as part of costume designs for theatrical productions, although some hobby groups also include the coonskin cap in their historical restorations. Just like in the 20th century, today’s raccoon fur cap is generally made from materials other than raccoon tails, fur, or fur.
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