We've seen some deranged vintage body armor before, but nothing as gutsy as this costume, which transformed the wearer into a 19th-century Pinhead. A commenter on the Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation message boards had this to say about such a suit in 1998 (we're assuming this description refers to this particular regalia):
I suspect it is more likely to be for bear bating than hunting, since I can't imagine anyone could run around the woods in it. It consists of leather pants and jacket (and an iron helmet) studded all over with 1-inch iron nails about 3/4 in. apart. The nails are held in place by a second layer of leather lining the whole thing and quilted into place between the nails.
Troy Hurtubise, eat your heart out. For another missive from humanity's unceasing ursine shadow war, see this brief overview of modern bear wrestling.
Image: Malcolm Kirk via Retronaut