Vintage Fur Date and Identification-Belk's French Room (Cape/Capelet?)

[Shanna Schuelke]

Hello! I'm so thankful to have found such a resource as VFG! Several years ago, my grandmother passed down this fur cape/capelet, that was passed down to her from my great-grandmother. My grandmother couldn't really remember many details about the coat, so I'm looking to find out what kind of fur this might be, and a time frame for it.

I do know that it was purchased from Belk's French Room, likely in North Carolina. My grandmother thought it might have been purchased sometime in the 30's or 40's, but that's definitely just a guess.

I've not been able to find much information about Belk's French Room specifically, only information on the Belk's chain in general, so I'm really left with little information and limited knowledge of fur in general.

I'd love any help you can offer about this! Thank you!

 

[Vintagiality]

Not a fur expert but it looks like Russian squirrel to me.
The first mention of Belk’s Charlotte French room I found is from 1938 and based on what the article says, I assume it was opened then.

In general, many stores had “French” rooms. They were trying to make an association in the buyers mind with French couture though they didn’t necessarily sell items that were actually French but it was meant to be high end.

 

[Shanna Schuelke]

Victoria, thank you for this information! Mink and squirrel were my first guess, but it’s hard to differentiate as a novice!

 

[Shanna Schuelke]

Any other expert opinions on this?