What is a Gamsbart? A Plume to wear with your Bavarian Tracht

The first time I heard the word Gamsbart, I completely misunderstood. I heard “Gans Bart” (Goose Beard) and figured the person telling me about them had lost their mind. So, what is a Gamsbart? This special decoration, crafted from a tuft of fur from a Gams, a mountain goat, looks like an old-fashioned shaving brush and is usually found on hats in Southern Germany and Northern Austria. Naturally, it comes with an interesting history. And, (this is very exciting)  more recently, it’s become an Olympic competition where bigger REALLY is better…

What is a Gamsbart

A Gamsbart is a puffy plume of fur made into a hunting trophy worn with incredible flair on a Tyrolean hat.  And although they look light and fluffy, they aren’t made from feathers! (Those are another thing) Craftsmen use very specific hair from the Chamois for the Gamsbart. What’s a Chamois? It’s a mountain goat or Gams that lives in the mountains of Europe. In winter, the Gams grow extra long hair on their neck and down the spine; when a hunter kills one, this hair is saved and bound into a Gamsbart for his hat. (Fun fact- the original Chamois Leather cloth that my Uncle used to wash his car also came from the Chamois, and apparently, the meat is delicious)

What makes Gams Hair so Special?

It’s a bit confusing since the word “Bart” means beard, but hair for the plume comes from the back of the neck and down the back. Starting in November, this hair grows longer and thicker through winter, making it a lovely trophy. A hunter would then pluck the long hairs out and carefully save them, wrapped in a strip of paper to take to the Bartbinder.

The best hairs come from more mature Gams, which can be harder to come by. And, sadly, like humans, not every buck has a full head of luxurious hair. It can take up to 5 or 6 bucks to donate enough hair for each Gamsbart.

Gamsbärte in History

Wearing a Gamsbart dates back to the 15th century. Originally, a Gamsbart would be simple: a tuft of hair bound by wire and attached to a hunting hat.

In the 18th century, nobles became enamored of wearing regional costume and Tracht (as if it made them “one of the people”). Naturally, the Gamsbart grew larger and more elaborate to keep up with the noble desire to look really good (and remember, BIGGER is better!). Before long, the big plumey Gamsbart became an official part of Bavarian Tracht.

Some Important Information-

1. The bigger the Gamsbart, the more important the wearer. (Both length and girth matter) (snort, giggle)
2. The bigger the Gamsbart, the more expensive it is. (naturally… they take a lot more time to make)
3. Don’t touch another man’s Gamsbart. (I know it’s tempting, but DON’T! With care and maintenance, a Gamsbart can last 30 years… sticky tourist fingers will wreck it)

The Bartbinder

Creating a perfect Gamsbart takes a specialist called a Bartbinder (beard binder), and only around 200 of these experts are still working today.  It takes a lot of patience and a LOT of hours to create each one. First, the hairs are cleaned, dried, and combed. Then, one by one, they are selected and sorted by size. Correctly sorting them takes a sharp eye and “finger gefühl” (tactile sensation). Approximately 150 hairs go into each little bundle, which is then carefully tied and trimmed. The smaller bundles are then wrapped and sewn together around a metal holder into a bigger bundle. The shorter ones are inside and longer outside, so the hair falls correctly in a perfect semi-sphere plume. Finally, the completed bundle gets set into a silver cone that attaches to the Tyrolean hat.

The biggest completed plumes are comprised of approximately 450 smaller bundles (so…. 450 times 150… that’s  67,500 INDIVIDUAL hairs!). Each hair is carefully chosen and trimmed. The completed large Gamsbart will take 50-60 hours to make! No wonder the huge ones sell for over €1500!!

The average-sized one is made up of 30-40 smaller bundles, takes only 5-6 hours to construct, and is much more reasonable in cost (although, in size, they aren’t as impressive… and as you know, it is about the size)

5Gamsbart Brush German Oktoberfest Hunter Hat by E.H.G | Metal Edelweiss & Strap 5.5

Vintage German Hunter Hat Brooch Pin, Silver PlatedVintage German tiny silver plated with wood grouse wildboar hair brooch

Gams Beard with Sleeve without Traditional Hat Costume Hat Hunting Real Hair Gemse Games Hat Jewellery Trophy Hat Pin Real Animal Hair Multicoloured 16-17 cmAMAZON.DE

Don’t want to wear a big plume, what about one of these fun hat pins with a bit of gams!

Alpine German Hat Small Gamsbart Brush andOktoberfest German Hat Pin by E.H.G | Metal Alpine Hat & Gamsbart

What is a Gamsrädl

In Berchtesgarten women wear a special round adornment on their hat called a Gamsrädl. Much like a Gamsbart, the Gamshaare (Chamois hair) need to be sorted, and carefully combed flat. They are then formed into a wheel that lies flat, with a center decoration . It is attached to a Scheibling Hut… a traditional wide brimmed hat with a lower crown.

Breiter – Hutradl, Hutschmuck: echter Gamsbart, GamsradlAMAZON.DE

 The Gamsbart Olympics!

Since 1960, Gamsbart aficionados have competed in the Gamsbart Olympics. Similar to boxing, there are different classes that you can enter…. Gams, Hirsch (Deer), Dachs (Badger), and various lengths. While length is important (the premier class starts at 19 cm), the quality of the hair, density, and color are also judged. Some counterfeiters will try to sneak in Gamsbärte with DYED white tips! Experts know the difference, and the impostors are immediately disqualified!

The Gamsbart Olympiade are held in Mittenwald–> Gamsbart Olympics