Red broadcloth, lined with brown (possibly faded from black) cotton twill weave cloth, c. one inch wide gold metalic tape, gold buttons with raised relief crown motif on the backs of which is written "WATERBURY BUTTON CO, [WATERBURY CON.]". Sleeves lined with cream coloured cotton twill

Collar and front edges are self faced with red broadcloth, lining is quilted in a diamond pattern, interior pocket on left breast and two large pockets inside back bottom. Front is cut in two panels on top, bottom is one piece going all the way around with no side seam. Sleeves cut in two pieces with no gussets.

The Connecticut-made buttons are evidence this coat was made in after Confederation as U.S. became source of manufactures.

additional measurements: width at chest underarm - 47, circumference of the armhole 49, collar 7

CW has seen a drawing dated to the 1880s of a chief wearing a coat in this style. The tailoring, style of collar, and the shorter jacket length also appear to be of this period. CW attributes the date.

Cumberland, Catalogue, p 132: "Case 29. Indian Chief's Uniforms. These red coats with brass buttons and bullion braid are such as were given to chiefs of Indian tribes in 1812 and early Canadian days as uniforms denoting their rank. One of these was the property of Oshawana, the other of George King, a Chippewa warrior of the Caradoc [Munsee] reservation. Under the treaties made by the Canadian govenment with the Indians in the North-West after Confederation, and the settlement with the Hudson's Bay Co., each of the Indian Chiefs was given in addition a special red coat as well as his annual bounty.

Note, Peter Jones in his History mentions a George King or Mookejewunooka [One Who Makes a Spring], who was a signatory on a document at the River Credit in 1837. This could be the same man.

AC: In Peter Jones' History there is a picture of a woman with the same name ('You Can Hear the Sound of the River')

Unknown artist, chief's coat. Currently in the Royal Ontario Museum, 911.3.118. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip December 2008; GRASAC item id 502.

GRASAC team research trip to the Royal Ontario Museum, December 15-19, 2008. Heidi Bohaker, Alan Corbiere, Lewis Debassige, Anne De Stecher, Judy Harris (Dec 16-17) Darlene Johnston, Stacey Loyer, Trudy Nicks, Ruth Phillips, Tracey Forste.

Monday Dec 15, Ethnology collection team: Alan Corbiere, Lewis Debassige, Trudy Nicks, Cory Willmott, Ruth Phillips, and Anne de Stecher with the assistance of Tracy Forster