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StarHawk2003 VallierBears
Shropshire
Posts: 270

StarHawk2003

Hey all

I have been given a fur coat... I have no idea what fur it is..... As I am SOOOOOOOO (Not) skilled at taking pictures I took a few and Was wondering what fur it was if at all possible for your guys to tell....

Any help would be greatfully apressiated.

Thank you,

Richy~

CIMG1197.jpg

CIMG1201.jpg Inside Coat, With lining removed.

Cleathero Creations Cleathero Creations
Ripley, Queensland
Posts: 1,925

Cleathero Creations

Is the under coat soft and thick?
It almost reminds me of mink as I had a coat that exact colour.

Judi Luxembears
Luxemburg, Wisconsin
Posts: 7,379

Judi

It looks to me like muskrat.  Muskrat is very similar to mink but has longer guard hairs. It's a very common fur and less expensive than mink.  It makes great bears.  bear_thumb  Also by looking at the back, the pelts look too wide for mink.  I'd say muskrat.

Tammy Beckoning Bears
Nova Scotia
Posts: 3,739
Website

Tammy

I agree, I think it is muskrat based on the second picture especially.

Daphne Back Road Bears
Laconia, NH USA
Posts: 6,568

Daphne

Yup, that's muskrat. I have so many NOT fond memories of the bears I made of muskrat. Don't get me wrong... it is easy to work with. I just don't like making bears of recycled fur...... not a process I get along with or have the patience for!

Can't wait to see what you make of it!!!!

matilda Matilda Huggington-beare
WA
Posts: 5,551

matilda

What's Muskrat????? :redface:  any pics around of one???

matilda Matilda Huggington-beare
WA
Posts: 5,551

matilda

Identifying-fur-1.jpgIdentifying-fur-2.jpgIdentifying-fur-3.jpgIdentifying-fur-4.jpgIdentifying-fur-5.jpgIdentifying-fur.jpgThis seems a good place to post my fur. I have always wanted to know what it is. Thanks for starting the topic  Richy. I gather so many pics arent needed but what the hell. They may help in the identification.
Does any one know what this fur is????

Acipenser Bine-Teddies
Stockholm
Posts: 862

Acipenser

Wendy, your fur looks like mink to me, because of the shiny guard hairs. The pelts may be too wide though, hard to tell. Its not muskrat to me. Muskrat or musquash is a small semi-aquatic rodent, bigger than mink though. In Sweden and Germany its called Bisam or marsh rat. I found a website for you
http://my.net-link.net/~vaneselk/muskrat/  bear_smile

Daphne Back Road Bears
Laconia, NH USA
Posts: 6,568

Daphne

muskrat-a2.jpg
Muskrat

matilda Matilda Huggington-beare
WA
Posts: 5,551

matilda

Sorry Sabine your link refuses to work for me. Thankyou for the thought though :hug:

I know its not mink. The hairs are quite thick. Very shiny. Lovely to touch but nothing soft or fluffy about it.
The largest panel on the body of the coat is 18"x7"-46cmx18cm. A panel on the sleeve is 17"x8"-43cmx20cm.
There is absolutely no shedding at all. So I gather it is still in good condition. The hairs when stroked feel oily/waxy . It is rather pleasant to touch. It has been dyed this colour as well.
The pelts have a stamp on them. A picture of a horse and underneath the horse is the word 'SHIRE'. This is on each pelt. Above the horse is stamped W83. So I gather that I could if wanted , track down not only the maker of the coat but the business that caught skinned and tanned the pelts.
Unfortunately the leather backing is way to thick for me to be able to sew. One day maybe, I'll give it a go.
Thanks for the pick of the muskrat Daphne.
Wendy :thumbsup:

I was just looking at the bottom pic of Richy's fur ,( the top one being misleading) and I do think our furs are the same.
Richy do you think you could take another picture of your fur please? Then we will be able to compere.
Your a honey, thankyou possum

StarHawk2003 VallierBears
Shropshire
Posts: 270

StarHawk2003

Thank you so much for helping me identify the fur.

Matilda, I will get a picture ASAP as I don't have the fur with me... I will post one as soon as I do. ;)

Richy~

DebbieD Posts: 3,540

DebbieD

Its very possibly Richy's fur is a muskrat, I don't think mink given the shape of the pelts.  Matilda, I've never worked with possum, but wonder if your coat might be your native possum? 

I do have to say, I adore working with the real fur  bear_wub   For me, nothing ever has the same feel as real fur.  I've had the atraction since childhood..apparently Mum thought I would pet the fur off some poor woman's coat at church  bear_rolleyes so there you have it ~ I'm a real fur nut!  bear_grin

Thanks for the pic Daphne, yup  bear_thumb muskrat...and I have visions of teddies swimming in my eyes...  bear_wub

matilda Matilda Huggington-beare
WA
Posts: 5,551

matilda

Debbie, it isnt Possum. Having handled the odd possum when I was a child.  I really do believe Richy and I have the same fur.
I think I should look up a furrier and take in a sample and get it identified once and for all. aye? bear_grin
I had planned to make bolsters out of the arms but other than that I have no idea what to do with it it now.
I'm not silly enough any more to believe I could make a bear out of it. bear_grin
Wendy bear_thumb

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