On 2011-06-23, Ed Huntress wrote:

There was a pattern and assembly instructions for a 'coonskin cap in _Boy's
Life_. It was 1957, '58, or '59. They included a pattern to make one from a
skunk, too.

It's not easy to find. They have it at the Library of Congress, on
microform.

Did you know that the Disney series on Daniel Boone made those things so
popular that there was a shortage of raccoons in the late '50s? Most of the
"cconskin" caps from that era actually were made from Australian rabbits.


The idea sounds good in theory, but proper leather making probably
involves some disgusting processes.

i