The 'fairst fitter' did indeed have to have a lump of coal in one hand (or his pocket) and a "drop o' somethin'"in his other. Whiskey was good but beer was more common. (Jim once 'fairst fitted' with a bottle of Advokaat - a sickeningly sweet aegg liquer from memory - YECH !!! )
He was also supposed to have dark (preferably black) hair.