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PRIMITIVE AMERICAN ARMOR. 1 UN 643 / 



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The long coat culminates among the Hupas and Klamaths, althoiigh/Y 

 some Alaskan tribes wore long coats identical with the ceremonial 

 coats (pi. 20).* jf2&amp;gt; ^ 



Two modern armors from Sitka, in form of a waistcoat, are curious. 

 Both open in front and are fastened by lappets and brass buttons of 

 English manufacture. One is plated over the entire front and a por 

 tion of the back with Chinese coins, like the penny armor of Europe; 

 the other is plain. The derivation of these coins is not known, but the 

 collector supposes the work to be that of Chukchis. These are cur 

 rent Chinese coins like those brought to this country by the Chinese 

 to be used in gambling. There are a few Japanese coins on this coat. 

 The armor was collected in 1870 (pi. 21). \ ^ 



Decoration of the war armor was infrequent. The fringe has been 

 mentioned. Applied bands of quill work on leather fringe have been 

 observed. The slat armor often bore totemic devices, and the rod 

 armor was diversified by bands of weaving of different colored cords 

 or by painted bauds. In the interior of two coats from southern 

 Alaska (Takus and Tlingits) are elaborate colored totemic paintings. 

 Since the painting is not seen, it can not be for ornament. Perhaps it 

 is a fetichistic protection. 



Two very heavy, long, wide skin coats from the Northwest Coast in 



* DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 20. 



Skin armor (Cue it wul). Made of a large elk skin, tanned, folded on itself. The 

 outer portion falls as a skirt to the ankles, while the inner portion reaches only to 

 the knees, and the hard neck portion of the hide comes in front and acts as a plastron 

 to protect the belly and thighs. Joined over the shoulders by leather straps worked 

 through a series of slashes. Zigzag cut for the left arm. Fringed at the side and 

 tying thongs on the right. The front and back decorated with cusps, dots, circles, 

 and lines in red and blue paint. It is Avorn so as to cover the left side, with the 

 left arm through the slit, the head through the opening. The suit has been worn 

 by several generations and in some of the modern battles with the whites, in which 

 the bullet marks were received. There are also arrow cuts which were received in 

 battle. The cusps and triangular figures are intended to denote the number of ene 

 mies slain and captives taken. (See- &quot; The Ray Collection,&quot; Report of the Smith, 

 soninii Institution, 1886, 1, p. 205.) Width, 26 inches; height, 47 inches (Cat. No. 

 126908, U.S.N.M. Hupa Indians, California. Collected by Capt. P. H. Ray, U. S. A.; 



t DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 21. 



Fig. 1, skin armor. Made of three layers of tanned hide, hardened. Two layers 

 are formed by folding and the third is inserted between them. In general shape it 

 is that of a waistcoat, with collar sewed on with thongs, but not formed of pieces 

 like the similar armor. Fastened in front with 4 lappets and sailors buttons of 

 brass. On the right side is a loop of buckskin, probably for the dagger. Height, 

 23 inches. (Cat. No. 18927, U.S.N.M, Sitka, Alaska. Collected by James G. Swan.) 



Fig. 2, skin armor. Made of thick tanned hide in imitation of an old-fashioned 

 waistcoat, the resemblance being exact in particulars of cut and sewing. Plated 

 over the front and shoulder of the back with Chinese coins sewed on with sinew 

 cord. Four lappets for fastening in front with brass buttons of English manufac 

 ture. Dr. Hoff believes this coat to be the work of Chukchis. Height, 25 inches. 

 (Cat. No. 9284, U.S.N.M. Sitka, Alaska. Collected by Dr. A. H. Hoff, U. S. A.) 



