Squirel Skin Shoes

[Stiles/Akin]

Southern Recorder, Apr. 5, 1864 -- page 4

 

[James_tiberous]

decoction of bark...How's that work? What was barked used for in the tanning process?

 

[alan polk]

I think after boiling red oak bark, the liquor was used to contract the skin. What chemical is unique to red bark, I don't know, but I believe it had Native-American uses, and that's probably where it was learned.

 

[Blessmag]

 

[Allie]

I think after boiling red oak bark, the liquor was used to contract the skin. What chemical is unique to red bark, I don't know, but I believe it had Native-American uses, and that's probably where it was learned from.

Tannins, from which the word "tanning" comes, are plentiful in oak bark. As far as I know there's no reason it should be red oak particularly - they probably picked a common tree near Richmond.

I had a friend who experimented with home tanning using bark and it does work, although the resulting leather was stiff as all get out.

 

[John Hartwell]

Tannic acid is extracted from oak bark.

How to bark tan (Youtube)

 

[James_tiberous]

Tannic acid is extracted from oak bark.

How to bark tan (Youtube)

Interesting! Thanks

 

[gary]

I've skinned a squirrel once and let me assure your that a couple of them stitched together will make nice indoor slippers, but I wouldn't want those thin skins for moccasins. They're too thin and will wear out quickly.

 

[JOHN42768]

A lot of nuts and berries provided many colors for the leather. Last year while trying to husk some black walnuts I found out the hard way. My hands were still stained for a week after many many washing. Soap, gas or you name it had no effect.

 

[Stiles/Akin]

There is a story called the Parson and the Puppies you should see.

 

[Stiles/Akin]

http://civilwartalk.com/threads/parson-and-the-puppies.79704/