My grandfather, Arthur Kirby. was the second Huntsman at the Middleburg, VA hunt club in 1915. Around 1921 he moved to Michigan and became the Huntsman for the Metamora Hunt. When the Bloomfield Open Hunt Club was established in 1925 he became their Huntsman until hunting ceased in 1965. I would like to know what the hunt colors were for each club and what the coat buttons were. I would also like to know if these items can be purchased, as the family genealogist I’d like these items in my collection. Grandad was buried in his hunt clothes with his horn. All of his children are dead so I do not have the benefit of their knowledge. Thanks, Kay Flynn
Welcome to the Forums, Kay!
We moved your thread from the Help forum (which is more for technical assistance questions) here to our Hunting forum, which is populated by lots of people who may be able to help you.
Thanks,
Mod 1
Check here; http://www.horsecountrylife.com/
Page 31 of the 2009 catalog.
COTH has a list of Member Hunts which shows their colours.
http://www.chronofhorse.com/article/roster-foxhound-packs-2006-mooreland-hunt-red-rock-hounds
As Equibrit has noted, you can get the buttons for still active hunts at Horse Country in Warrenton. They may also have the collar material for some hunts, but more likely you will want to contact the current masters to see where they get their collar material to ensure an accurate match.
For the Bloomfield Hunt, your search for buttons may be a little more difficult. I’d start with the Museum of Hounds and Hunting in North America, http://www.mhhna.org/, they do have quite a collection of hunt buttons (I know because I helped polish them when I lived in Virginia!) and might have some leads on where you could acquire one. You could also contact the MFHA and see if they can help. Good luck!
Metamora Info
Welcome, Kay! It was great to hear about your Grandad. Please check out our website www.metamorahunt.com
for history, colors and buttons, plus lots of current info. You could also check www.metamoraphoto.com Photographer Peter Gillies has gathered some historical photos from members. Equine Gatherings tack shop www.equinegatherings.com carries the Metamora Hunt buttons in stock. The collar colors are royal blue with a robin’s egg blue trim. The buttons have a simple M. Best of luck in your search!
Hi Kay:
You HAVE to check out www.metamoraphoto.com Look in the Historical photos–there are images of your grandfather.
Super cool pictures.
Contact the hunt directly. I’m sure they will be pleased to help you out to find colours and buttons, but also hunting pictures, and some great tales fro. The huntfield
BOH Colors
My mom, who is unfortunately no longer with us, used to ride with the Bloomfield Open Hunt back in the 1940’s. I remember her saying that the hunt colors for BOH were “plum and buff”, and those are indeed the colors on her old hunt coat collar. Good luck in your search!
