Antique Seed & Pound Beads

“Hair bows” is the designation for American Indian paired head ornaments. These ornaments were popular during the first half of the 19th century among many tribes of the Northern Plains. They were attached to small braids at the temples or along the hairline and secured with wooden pins. During the second half of the 19th century, they came out of fashion among most tribes. However, the Crow Indians continued to use them and still do to this day.

Beads manufactured nowadays differ from those made one or two hundred years ago, particulary in colour shades and shape. Antique beads were all of European origin and made of glass. The articless discusses history of seed and pony beads and differences between historic and modern beads colours and shapes. It contains images of many Plains Indians pre-reservation items and list of the most widespread 19th century bead colours.

Since I got a Kibler long rifle, I decided to make a case for it. The rifle suffers a lot on reenacting camps and a case can help, is practical and can be nice. The choice fell on a gun case in the Indian style of the Athabascan speaking tribes. Such gun cases are simple, historically accurate and practical as well as pretty.