Inherited Fur Coat

hev_2

I have to say, I don't think I could have borne to wear the coat. I know it was probably from something that died in the early 20th century, and it wasn't mink or tiger but something from Canada that Great Grandfather brought back which was a bit more like dead musk ox or something.

The thought of wearing second hand skin makes me itch all over, apart from the cruelty side of it.

DKLS

I can tell by the feel, but as you cant.

Try looking at the bottom of the coat, if there is a small gap in the lining, turn it back on itself until you can see the fur lining if it looks/feels similar to sheepskin its real.

There is still a healthy market for furs, I used to sell them by the shedload in my Uni days.

studentmidwife

Right - I'm really confused now

Have tried the tests on the website and the fur feels soft and not coarse, I burnt a bit (not still attached obviously!!) and it singes and smells like burning hair (burnt a strand of my hair for comparison), however, when i look between the hairs and under the lining they are attached to some sort of material and not leather.

Does this mean that it is fake fur?

Contains_Mild_Peril

I'm confused now too! Could it perhaps be a wool-based manufactured fur fabric?You might try asking at a vintage clothes shop for an expert opinion, and also whether they would be interested in selling it.
Fur coats will be difficult to sell on eBay at this time of year, since they're out of season here and tend to be heavy and expensive to post abroad, and you also have the problem that a customer might have a clear idea of whether they want real or fake, and might not bid if you're not sure which yours is.
I don't wear real fur personally, but I tend to agree with the view on vintage furs that selling them is less objectionable than destroying them. I have sold vintage fur items on eBay and have not had any e-mails from animal rights activists etc.
I don't think the issue mentioned about real furs labelled as fake would be likely to apply to vintage items, but it can happen nowadays when fake furs are usually preferred.

pseudopensioner

Genuine fur coats usually had a piece of cloth/stiffening fabric around the hems, cuffs etc and the linings were stitched to the garment via these. So finding some man made cloth within the structure of the coat doesn't isn't necessarily mean its fake fur.

theloft

studentmidwife wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies. To be honest whether its real or fake I will sell it. It will only sit in my wardrobe forever otherwise. I just don't want to sell it as fake if its not and vice versa.
I am going to try the tests on the website and try and determine whether it is real or not. I will have a look at vintage clothes shops - had'nt thought of selling that way.

If you have any luck in selling or disposing of it, please let us know. We have 2 fur coats (one mink inherited) and have tried everywher to get rid of them, charities won't take them and apart from setting fire to them we are at a loss.