Buffalo check

[Benning Boy]

There is a something known in North America as Buffalo Check. In American English we'd call it a plaid. It is a checked, or tartan, pattern made up of equal width stripes of two colors. Perhaps most common is red and black. In traditional, at least back to the early 19th Century, terminology this would be know as Rob Roy, or McGregor tartan. Common variants of Buffalo Check are green and black, Wilson's Robin Hood, and white and black. See the Bimidji Woolens site for examples. I recall seeing a brown and black Buffalo Check, I believe sold by Cabela's.


Does anyone know the history of the name Buffalo Check? How, if in any way, does Buffalo Check differ from tartan in general? Could one make a kilt of Buffalo Check, and call it traditional? Would making kilt of red and black Buffalo Check be the same as making one of Rob Roy?

[Domehead]

Good Morning Benning Boy,
I did my Basic and Airborne School there, 1991. Anyway, considering I hijacked your last post re: the Strathearn (apologies, by the way), I'll stay clear of this. However, Mr. MacDonald, Mr. Newsome, Nathan, Mr. Smith-MacPherson, Tobus, et al...they'll have considerable information for you.

From a two-time Honorably Discharged Army Veteran;
From a family with a long, proud history of Military Service;
To Include the ultimate sacrifice, both for the United States and The Crown;
I appreciate your service and the familial sacrifices that go along with it.

Slainte,
Ryan M Liddell
Domehead

[Llama]

No Idea how accurate this is but, from http://www.woolrichfabrics.com/colle...falo_check.php

Legend has it this distinctive Scottish pattern, known for centuries as Rob Roy, was dubbed "Buffalo Check Plaid" by our designer (circa 1850) in honor of the small herd of buffalo he owned here in central Pennsylvania. By the late 1800s, American buffalo hunters commonly wore the now-famous Woolrich Buffalo Check Shirt. Today, people the world over associate Woolrich with this iconic pattern even though it is used by many companies in many different ways… and we take that as a compliment.

[Benning Boy]

Thanks, LLama, that's very helpful. However, I wonder if the story behind the name Buffalo Check hasn't been as romanticized as some of the stories behind Scottish tartans. It will be very interesting to learn more. Thank you for pointing me to Woolrich. I see the Bimidji site has changed a lot since my last visit. I recall seeing good examples of Buffalo Check there in the past.

Domehead, don't worry about hijacking a thread. They are discussions, and like any such they can head off in all sorts of directions.

I "enrolled" in Benning School for Boys in 1967. Completed OCS, then a six-month program, and was commissioned at age 19. I originally enlisted for Airborne Infantry, but waived the contract to attend OCS. We were quartered right across the street from the 250-foot towers. I watched so much Airborne training I felt confident to jump, but you know how the Army is about those things.

[katon]

Sears was selling Buffalo check shirts in 1928, but doesn't explain where the name comes from.

L.L. Bean sold Buffalo check shirts in 1921, but didn't call them that:



I've found photographs from 19th century logging camps that seem to be of Buffalo check shirts, but may also be Shepherd's check (black and white photos):


(From a Michigan sawmill, 1890, fellow on the far left)


(From a Wisconsin sawmill, 1900, fellow with the cat)