What hat are you waiting for today?

[MikeinRome]

Can you share where you see them?

On eBay mostly. This one is going to need some cleaning, but then I've calculated it will look like new because it shows virtually no signs of wear.

 

[Rmccamey]

Another nice one, Mike. If I didn't already have a nice 3X myself, I might try to talk you out of that one!

Stetson 3X Beaver, 2 7/8 inch bound brim, with original hatbox. Looks like a late 1940's hat. It's from Porter's in Arizona. Seems like I see more nearly new or excellent condition late 40's to early 50's Stetsons from Porter's than any other stores, for whatever reason.

 

[MikeinRome]

Another nice one, Mike. If I didn't already have a nice 3X myself, I might try to talk you out of that one!

Thanks. I went back and forth about buying it but it has a 6 ligne hatband, which I like a lot, and was able to talk the seller down some on the price.

 

[bmw1976]

I'm waiting on a Resistol Topeka in Navy color. It's not a super old hat, but I'm excited about this one. I haven't seen too many of them in the threads. Oh, and did I mention it's Navy colored? I'm hoping it's as gorgeous in person as it is in my head. I should probably hope that it doesn't look silly 'on' my head. The last pic seems to show that blue color well.

PS - I just realized my last post in this thread was meant to be in WHAYWT? thread. Not sure how I screwed that up. Ugh.

 

[BobHufford]

A Clear Nutria that is bit of a mystery. Waiting for arrival to dig more clues out of the wrinkled sweatband. So far I have kicked up nothing on the “Enterprise Brand”, but it’s not a great text string to search on.

 

[jeffgarf]

A Clear Nutria that is bit of a mystery. Waiting for arrival to dig more clues out of the wrinkled sweatband. So far I have kicked up nothing on the “Enterprise Brand”, but it’s not a great text string to search on.

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A real mystery. Keep us posted.

 

[jeffgarf]

I haven't seen one of these here in a bit, but I've got one coming to me, a Marque Grand Luxe 6X Mink Borsalino. I'll be curious to see the under sweatband sticker as I've not seen anyone actually ID anything about these hats on the old posts. Other than the obvious color, I don't think these are even listed in @steur 's database, unless I missed it, which is possible.

 

[jeffgarf]

I had promised myself I was going to be good. I wasn't going to buy for at least a week. Still going through other hats and waiting for others.

Then this showed up . . .




D**n you, eBay!

 

[hambone71]

I had promised myself I was going to be good. I wasn't going to buy for at least a week. Still going through other hats and waiting for others.

Then this showed up . . .

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D**n you, eBay!

Get her shaped up and show her off!

 

[jeffgarf]

Get her shaped up and show her off!

You know I will! Hopefully early next week. Turns out the seller is practically driving distance from me, but it's getting mailed.

 

[bmw1976]

Alright, here is another I'm waiting on. I think an early to mid 40's Stetson Nutria. A little digging seems to suggest that they were getting into vented hats around that era. I'm guessing not an original hat band, but correct me if I'm wrong. It's definitely interesting with the pinecones. I don't have much other info on it til I get it in hand. Can anyone give some further insight?

 

[MikeinRome]

Alright, here is another I'm waiting on. I think an early to mid 40's Stetson Nutria. A little digging seems to suggest that they were getting into vented hats around that era. I'm guessing not an original hat band, but correct me if I'm wrong. It's definitely interesting with the pinecones. I don't have much other info on it til I get it in hand. Can anyone give some further insight?

I'd say 40's to early 50's and the hat band probably is original. Stetson certainly made such bands and they're usually seen on low crown hats such as this one. A lot of them appear on the West coast.

 

[bmw1976]

I'd say 40's to early 50's and the hat band probably is original. Stetson certainly made such bands and they're usually seen on low crown hats such as this one. A lot of them appear on the West coast.

Thanks, Mike. You would be correct on this being a west coast hat that was sold in CA. I'll have to look around some more to find examples with similar bands.

I guess I based the earlier 40's based on the stars in the logo, but I know there was some crossover later with some leafs in the liner and stars on the band, or vice versa. Were there any other clues that would push it to the date range you mentioned?

 

[MikeinRome]

Thanks, Mike. You would be correct on this being a west coast hat that was sold in CA. I'll have to look around some more to find examples with similar bands.

I guess I based the earlier 40's based on the stars in the logo, but I know there was some crossover later with some leafs in the liner and stars on the band, or vice versa. Were there any other clues that would push it to the date range you mentioned?

I have a hat with a somewhat similar band that says Stanford 28, which I posted on the Boss of the Plains? thread. Other early 50's clues would be the type of liner, if your hat had one, or having a OPS tag.

 

[bmw1976]

I have a hat with a somewhat similar band that says Stanford 28, which I posted on the Boss of the Plains? thread. Other early 50's clues would be the type of liner, if your hat had one, or having a OPS tag.

Thanks, Mike. After trying a few different searches, I found that this was a US National Park Service ranger hat. The hat band and vents make sense now. I wouldn't have pictured the crown in that style, though, before seeing some examples.

Edit: After reading a bit more, the USNPS adopted the hat in 1920 as part of their official uniform, but Stetson didn't start selling the hats to the Park Service until 1934. They would have been an open crown hat with the Montana style dents put in by the wearer. Stetson started issuing the hats with the dents in place starting in 1959.

 

[BobHufford]

I'm guessing not an original hat band, but correct me if I'm wrong.

B.B. McGinnis appears to have been a local supplier of park ranger uniforms. I’ve seen this type of hat band on National Park Service hats as well as those for California State Parks.

This is current issue. Older ones may have had smaller text embossed. Hard to tell from the photo if yours has such writing.

 

[bmw1976]

B.B. McGinnis appears to have been a local supplier of park ranger uniforms. I’ve seen this type of hat band on National Park Service hats as well as those for California State Parks.

This is current issue. Older ones may have had smaller text embossed. Hard to tell from the photo if yours has such writing.

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B.B. McGinnis appears to have been a local supplier of park ranger uniforms. I’ve seen this type of hat band on National Park Service hats as well as those for California State Parks.

This is current issue. Older ones may have had smaller text embossed. Hard to tell from the photo if yours has such writing.

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Thanks, Bob. I'm guessing this will have USNPS on the front of it, but I don't have any photos of the front to verify. We'll find out once I get it in hand.

 

[MikeinRome]

Thanks, Mike. After trying a few different searches, I found that this was a US National Park Service ranger hat. The hat band and vents make sense now. I wouldn't have pictured the crown in that style, though, before seeing some examples.

Edit: After reading a bit more, the USNPS adopted the hat in 1920 as part of their official uniform, but Stetson didn't start selling the hats to the Park Service until 1934. They would have been an open crown hat with the Montana style dents put in by the wearer. Stetson started issuing the hats with the dents in place starting in 1959.

If you had a Park Service hat, I think that would be stamped on the hat band, but maybe they didn't do it on all. I'm just speculating.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

I'm guessing this will have USNPS on the front of it,…

If you look thru the catalog threads you will find plenty of examples of that leather hatband being used on various hats. Look closely & you’ll find two on this page.

 

[bmw1976]

If you look thru the catalog threads you will find plenty of examples of that leather hatband being used on various hats. Look closely & you’ll find two on this page.

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Nice. I'll have to peruse those old adds. I haven't done much of that. Those leather bands are pretty similar. I'm pretty confident after comparing the Park Service hats that it'll have their stamp on the front. I believe I can make out the last "S" before a branch and pinecone engraved into the band.

I'm now pondering whether I'll get another hat band or keep the original on there. It'll stay with the hat, either way. Also contemplating the shape I'll go with, as I don't believe I'd wear it much in campaign style. I intend to give it some more use!