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[carouselvic]

1930's Stetson

 

[fedoracentric]

Here is a derby question for you folks that know about the older ones.

In the late 1800s bowlers got really tall. How long did this trend last?

 

[John Galt]

1930's Stetson

It is in very nice shape!

 

[Hat_question]

Ask a question, get a fairly quick answer...

1930's Stetson

THANK YOU! Am I correct in my guess that it's a Homburg? The edges of the brim curl up sharply about 1/4", if that helps. Is there anyway to better date the hat?

 

[Hat_question]

It is in very nice shape!

It certainly LOOKS (with a very untrained eye) to be in good shape...that's the good news. The bad news is that the hat is 7 1/8 and I'm a 7 5/8. I'd be very happy to trade it for a model of similar worth in my size. Or am I better off selling it and buying another? Is that something that's done on this site or have I just committed a cardinal Fedora Lounge sin? (I've noticed that the rules are somewhat strict and I don't want to p%$$ anyone off.)

 

[Landman]

Welcome Hat_question. Very neat hat. Looks like it is in great shape. It is hard for me to tell for sure from the angle of the pictures but the brim appears to be a Homburg brim. The crease is not a traditional Homburg crease but that doesn't mean it isn't a Homburg.

If you decide to sell or trade it then you should use the Classifieds section. Below is a link. The rules are posted at the top of the page.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/forumdisplay.php?15-Classifieds

 

[fedoracentric]

I was thinking this is not from the 1950s?
Can anyone confirm?

 

[rclark]

Does anyone here have an opinion as to the ability of vintage Stetson Nutria Quality hats to withstand rain?

 

[John Galt]

Most were working cowboy hats, and nutria felt is the most durable in my opinion.

I have several nutria and nutria quality hats and wear them on rainy days. They will not keep you dry in a downpour (not a lot of lacquer, usually), but I have fared pretty well.

I like to wear my hats in the rain and then tune them up a bit while they are soft, and the Nutrias are treated like the others.

 

[Nyah]

Cavy/guinea-pig felt?

In South American countries such as Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador, the cavy, known locally as 'cuy', is a popular source of protein. Since furfelt hats happen to be popular headwear in those countries, it seems that cavy pelt would be an obvious construction material. Yet I haven't heard of hats being made from it. Has anyone here come across the existance of them?

 

[rclark]

Thanks John. Heading to the mountains for a few days to escape this oppressive Texas heat, and I'm trying to figure out which hat(s) to bring along. I'm hesitant to bring any of my favorite vintage hats for fear of being caught in the rain out on a hike, but it sounds like I'm worrying for little reason. Thanks!

 

[handymike]

Help! my sweatband is loose....

Is re-stitching a sweatband on a panama difficult?
Can I do it myself? or is it best left to a pro?
Any tips/ pointers are appreciated.
Thank you!

 

[alanfgag]

Most were working cowboy hats...

The 1950s Nutria Quality hats were made in a western style. 1930s and earlier, Stetson nutria felt hats came in various qualities and styles, longhair and pounced, both western and dress. I own quite a few but I've not tested any of them in a downpour.

 

[fedoracentric]

That makes an interesting question, one which we will never be able to answer. Why did Stetson use Nutria in all sort of hat styles (as Alan notes above) before the 40s, but afterward relegate the Nutria to only (or mostly, anyway) westerns? Were Nutria fedoras not selling well? Or was it an inventory and/or manufacturing issue?

 

[Matthewlawson3]

Stetson logos

Guys, I have two, as far as I know, modern Stetson Saxon Royal fedoras. One is midnight blue and Cordova. They both have a different type of Stetson logo on the underside of the crown inside...what does this mean? Is one newer than the other?

 

[Landman]

Does anyone here have an opinion as to the ability of vintage Stetson Nutria Quality hats to withstand rain?

Rick,

I don't have a vintage Nutria but I have a Winchester body Nutria from Art Fawcett and it is tough as nails. It handles the rain better than any beaver hat I own. I would think vintage Nutria would be just as durable and maybe even more so.

If I remember correctly, you have an Akubra Campdraft, that is what I would recommend wearing on your trip. They are very durable and easily replaced if damaged.

 

[Landman]

That makes an interesting question, one which we will never be able to answer. Why did Stetson use Nutria in all sort of hat styles (as Alan notes above) before the 40s, but afterward relegate the Nutria to only (or mostly, anyway) westerns? Were Nutria fedoras not selling well? Or was it an inventory and/or manufacturing issue?

It may have had something to do with the failure of Nutria farms. Here is a quote from the Wikipedia article on Nutria (Coypu).

"Local extinction in their native range due to overharvesting led to the development of coypu fur farms in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The first farms were in Argentina and then later in Europe, North America, and Asia. These farms have generally not been successful long-term investments, and farmed coypu often are released or escape as operations become unprofitable."

 

[Landman]

Guys, I have two, as far as I know, modern Stetson Saxon Royal fedoras. One is midnight blue and Cordova. They both have a different type of Stetson logo on the underside of the crown inside...what does this mean? Is one newer than the other?

Probably so but it is hard to say without seeing pictures of the liners. If you can post some pictures that would help.

 

[ScottF]

I'm sure this has come up before, but my searches are failing...

I have an old semi-rare 1940's Stetson that has fantastic felt and is in great shape, except...there are two holes in the felt at the top where it was heavily creased. The one at the typical hole-point is made worse by the fact that a law enforcement officer wore a badge there - even with a thorough crown-soaking, it can't be re-creased in the front.

I have cleaned the hat extensively, soaking the crown, etc., and then basically creased it in reverse, so I now wear it backwards with the bow on the incorrect side. Two small pieces of tape on the underside, plus creasing it a little above the holes in the back, it now looks fantastic.

Is wearing it 'backwards' acceptable? ...or do most loungers go to the trouble of removing the reeded sweat and ribbon, and re-attaching them?

 

[alanfgag]

How deep is the imprint of the sweatband bow on your forehead?

If it doesn't bother you, it won't bother anyone else.