Subject: black fur hats

After searching the Internet to know how much the British guards' hats weigh, I found nothing. I learned all about the different types of military in the UK, and about busby hats which another group wears (though not their weight either)...but found nothing about the uniforms that the guards wear.

I decided to email The Guards Museum because the Curators' Message on the site says: "We are happy to answer any queries you might have about the collection and more than willing to point you in the right direction if we are unable to answer your specific question."

I wrote:

Hello,

I wonder if you can help me.

Some friends and I have recently returned from our holiday in the UK. While reviewing pictures from the changing of the guards, we've started to wonder: how much do the tall furry black hats weigh? They look quite heavy.

Thank you.

[dimmi]

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Reply received today:

[dimmi]

The hats to which you refer are called bearskin caps and as their name would suggest they are made from the skin of a bear. Canadian Black Bear to be precise. they are contructed of two panels, one at the front and another at the back and they are stretched over a bamboo cage. The kerbchain (chinstrap) is made of brass links sewn onto a leather strap and it is fixedto the cap by two leather thongs.

In total it weighs just over half a kilo which doaesn't sound much until you have to wear for four hours! Being black it attracts the heat in summer and becomes heavy when soaked with rainwater. It is hard to control in high winds and has a tendancy to pinch the head in very hot weather. That said, it a truly global and iconic image and the Guards would not give it up easily as it is the only headdress which has been awarded following action in battle. It was the Prince Consort and the Duke of Wellington who decreed the Guards should wear the distinctive headdress of the French Imperial Guard having beaten them in battle at Waterloo.

Although the caps are indeed made of animal skin, no animals are killed just to provide pelts for Guards caps. The Canadian Black Bears are regarded as pests and are culled each year to prevent them over-breeding and becoming a nuisance. A small percentage of those that are killed have their pelts sold to Great Britain to enable the Guards to repair and replace their headdress.

I hope this gives you a little more insight and answers your question.

With kind regards

Andrew Wallis
Curator

I AM CYCLING FROM LANDS END TO JOHN O'GROATS SETTING OUT ON 28TH JULY TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE GUARDS MUSEUM - PLEASE SUPPORT US BY SPONSORING THE TEAM. CLICK HERE TO SPONSOR US NOW!! MANY THANKS FOR YOUR HELP....

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Hm. Neat.