Originally Posted by
Bugbear
I can't say for sure, but I seem to remember reading that it was also used on shoes with blackener of some sort around that same time period. Might be wrong about that, though.
You might be thinking of Black Ball, Ted. However, I don't believe bear grease was used as a shoe blackener.
A period recipe that I have calls for "2 ounces of fine mutton suet well clarified, [add] 1 ounce of bees wax, which melt with the suet then mix with them well --- 1 ounce of ivory black, then pour it out into any China cup or vessel you like, let it lay until next day & then knock it out & it will be fit for use."
Black Ball was used as a shoe polish, and to blacken leather cartridge boxes, pouches, belting, gaiters & spatterdashes.
Last edited by BoldHighlander; 24th June 10 at 01:43 AM.
[SIZE="2"][FONT="Georgia"][COLOR="DarkGreen"][B][I]T. E. ("TERRY") HOLMES[/I][/B][/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE="1"][FONT="Georgia"][COLOR="DarkGreen"][B][I]proud descendant of the McReynolds/MacRanalds of Ulster & Keppoch, Somerled & Robert the Bruce.[/SIZE]
[SIZE="1"]"Ah, here comes the Bold Highlander. No @rse in his breeks but too proud to tug his forelock..." Rob Roy (1995)[/I][/B][/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE]
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