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[Craig4891]

I don’t see any letters under the logo on the sweatband. Unless someone recognizes the logo or there are more tags under the sweatband then a mystery it will remain.

View attachment 327647 View attachment 327648

Thanks so much for your input guys.

I was also trying to work out the interlocking lettering. I have added a couple of close up pics that are hopefully better focussed. It is not easy, I can see a H, R, and J possibly. I have used these to try and tie down a google search with the hope of pulling up the same logo but have had no luck.

There are no other stamps or writing I can find under the band apart from a hand written 7 for the size

Does anyone know what you call the dragon thing, does that have a name. Such as the common 'Lion Rampant' you see so often which I believe has old Scottish royal connection.

Also the Crown underneath gave me the thought that it has a Royal connection. I found a current list of the many hat makers to the Royal Family. I got excited when I saw Herbert Johnson due to the initials, but this did not seem to lead anywhere back to that logo.

It seems that is it not a brand that held great notoriety as I think I would found something by now. I am happy it is just a very nice looking hat that has lasted so long in this condition. Very unfortunate that I am unable to wear it with it being a size 7, I would be a 7 3/8. Although the gf looks great in it so not a complete loss.

 

[Frunobulax]

Thanks so much for your input guys.

I was also trying to work out the interlocking lettering. I have added a couple of close up pics that are hopefully better focussed. It is not easy, I can see a H, R, and J possibly. I have used these to try and tie down a google search with the hope of pulling up the same logo but have had no luck.

There are no other stamps or writing I can find under the band apart from a hand written 7 for the size

Does anyone know what you call the dragon thing, does that have a name. Such as the common 'Lion Rampant' you see so often which I believe has old Scottish royal connection.

Also the Crown underneath gave me the thought that it has a Royal connection. I found a current list of the many hat makers to the Royal Family. I got excited when I saw Herbert Johnson due to the initials, but this did not seem to lead anywhere back to that logo.

It seems that is it not a brand that held great notoriety as I think I would found something by now. I am happy it is just a very nice looking hat that has lasted so long in this condition. Very unfortunate that I am unable to wear it with it being a size 7, I would be a 7 3/8. Although the gf looks great in it so not a complete loss.

Nothing wrong with a mystery hat. I think that maybe is supposed to be a Griffin.

 

[Steve1857]

I agree with Jim, nothing wrong with a mystery hat. Yours looks very nice indeed. Shame there is no label under the sweat.

I don't believe the logo to be a true heraldic shield of any kind. For one thing, the crown would be above the animal. Though rampant, it's not particularly clear what beast it is. It could be a dragon, a griffin, or indeed a lion. Whichever one it's meant to be, it's not particularly well executed.

I would guess that it was someone's attempt at creating a fancy looking logo. The hat deserves better.

Thanks so much for your input guys.

I was also trying to work out the interlocking lettering. I have added a couple of close up pics that are hopefully better focussed. It is not easy, I can see a H, R, and J possibly. I have used these to try and tie down a google search with the hope of pulling up the same logo but have had no luck.

There are no other stamps or writing I can find under the band apart from a hand written 7 for the size

Does anyone know what you call the dragon thing, does that have a name. Such as the common 'Lion Rampant' you see so often which I believe has old Scottish royal connection.

Also the Crown underneath gave me the thought that it has a Royal connection. I found a current list of the many hat makers to the Royal Family. I got excited when I saw Herbert Johnson due to the initials, but this did not seem to lead anywhere back to that logo.

It seems that is it not a brand that held great notoriety as I think I would found something by now. I am happy it is just a very nice looking hat that has lasted so long in this condition. Very unfortunate that I am unable to wear it with it being a size 7, I would be a 7 3/8. Although the gf looks great in it so not a complete loss.

 

[Frunobulax]

It could be a dragon, a griffin, or indeed a lion.

It could be a grue.

Agreed, the hat looks nicer than the logo.

 

[Mighty44]

Hello All-

Not trying to change the subject here, but not sure if this is the right way to post here.

I just bought an old Stetson that was cheap but described as dirty and needing an airing. I found a great thread here about cleaning liners with Woolite, which I'm planning to do since the thing is yellow. I also found great info about getting smells out by storing in a plastic bag with newspaper -- also planning to do this.

My question is about cleaning the felt. In the photo it looks very dusty, but not necessarily stained -- but hard to say because it's dark grey and it's hard to read photos. I've got some Bickmore hat cleaning sponges. If I just use these to scrape away the top layer of the felt, could that get me most of the way there? Ideally I would do the naptha bath, but since I live in NYC that would be a challenge. Is there any deeper cleaning I can do without taking the hat apart and without damaging the ribbon or sweatband? I don't have a block and flange to reshape the hat after soaking so it would have to be relatively superficial. Any advice appreciated.

Thanks!

David

 

[keryn]

Hello Friends!

I don’t think I am posting in the correct feed...but I am hoping someone can help me to figure out what the name of this sweatband stitching is? I have attached a photo. Most of my very old antique hats have this type of detail and I have started to apply it to mine however I can only find a horizontal tool vs. this seems to be a vertical stamping tool of some kind.

So basically hoping to find out the name of this technique/detail as well as find a tool that allows me to sew consistently!

Thank you so very much,

Keryn

 

[Steve1857]

Welcome to the FL, David.

Post photos of your hat. Lots of folks here can help with advice once they've seen what's necessary.

Hello All-

Not trying to change the subject here, but not sure if this is the right way to post here.

I just bought an old Stetson that was cheap but described as dirty and needing an airing. I found a great thread here about cleaning liners with Woolite, which I'm planning to do since the thing is yellow. I also found great info about getting smells out by storing in a plastic bag with newspaper -- also planning to do this.

My question is about cleaning the felt. In the photo it looks very dusty, but not necessarily stained -- but hard to say because it's dark grey and it's hard to read photos. I've got some Bickmore hat cleaning sponges. If I just use these to scrape away the top layer of the felt, could that get me most of the way there? Ideally I would do the naptha bath, but since I live in NYC that would be a challenge. Is there any deeper cleaning I can do without taking the hat apart and without damaging the ribbon or sweatband? I don't have a block and flange to reshape the hat after soaking so it would have to be relatively superficial. Any advice appreciated.

Thanks!

David

 

[Frunobulax]

Hello All-

Not trying to change the subject here, but not sure if this is the right way to post here.

I just bought an old Stetson that was cheap but described as dirty and needing an airing. I found a great thread here about cleaning liners with Woolite, which I'm planning to do since the thing is yellow. I also found great info about getting smells out by storing in a plastic bag with newspaper -- also planning to do this.

My question is about cleaning the felt. In the photo it looks very dusty, but not necessarily stained -- but hard to say because it's dark grey and it's hard to read photos. I've got some Bickmore hat cleaning sponges. If I just use these to scrape away the top layer of the felt, could that get me most of the way there? Ideally I would do the naptha bath, but since I live in NYC that would be a challenge. Is there any deeper cleaning I can do without taking the hat apart and without damaging the ribbon or sweatband? I don't have a block and flange to reshape the hat after soaking so it would have to be relatively superficial. Any advice appreciated.

Thanks!

David

Before you do anything involving detergents or naphtha, get yourself a good hat brush. It will do wonders. The next step is steam. A teakettle or hand-held fabric steamer is good for starters. Brush, steam, brush, steam. Repeat.

You can open the crown with a small rounded bowl; some folks use a soup ladle. You don't need a block.

Do not touch the sweatband with steam.
Do not touch the sweatband with steam.
Do not touch the sweatband with steam.

 

[Snowman]

Hello All-

Not trying to change the subject here, but not sure if this is the right way to post here.

I just bought an old Stetson that was cheap but described as dirty and needing an airing. I found a great thread here about cleaning liners with Woolite, which I'm planning to do since the thing is yellow. I also found great info about getting smells out by storing in a plastic bag with newspaper -- also planning to do this.

My question is about cleaning the felt. In the photo it looks very dusty, but not necessarily stained -- but hard to say because it's dark grey and it's hard to read photos. I've got some Bickmore hat cleaning sponges. If I just use these to scrape away the top layer of the felt, could that get me most of the way there? Ideally I would do the naptha bath, but since I live in NYC that would be a challenge. Is there any deeper cleaning I can do without taking the hat apart and without damaging the ribbon or sweatband? I don't have a block and flange to reshape the hat after soaking so it would have to be relatively superficial. Any advice appreciated.

Thanks!

David

My cleaning arsenal consists of a hat brush, a tea kettle, a hat sponge, a clean cloth, and Woolite. I rarely have to go past the brush and some steam; it gets a surprising amount of dust and buildup off (if you have a wife, you may want to do the brush step outside...). A very small amount of Woolite in cold water, applied with a cloth, has been effective for most spots I have encountered, and the sponge can help with this if necessary.

 

[Mighty44]

Thank you all for the info—sounds like I have a plan! I don’t have the hat yet but will attempt to post before and after. Frunobulax — I’ve got to ask the stupid question: why no steam on the sweatband? Cheers

 

[Frunobulax]

Thank you all for the info—sounds like I have a plan! I don’t have the hat yet but will attempt to post before and after. Frunobulax — I’ve got to ask the stupid question: why no steam on the sweatband? Cheers

It pretty much has the same effect on sweat bands as the Ark of the Covenant does on evil Nazis

 

[deadlyhandsome]

It pretty much has the same effect on sweat bands as the Ark of the Covenant does on evil Nazis

Jim speaks the truth @Mighty44 Although, it is a fast and effective way to confirm if there is any dry rot in the leather.

This may look like bacon but in fact it’s sections of sweatbands that have been exposed to steam. And it’s high is cholesterol, sodium, and phosphates.

 

[Mighty44]

Jim speaks the truth @Mighty44 Although, it is a fast and effective way to confirm if there is any dry rot in the leather.

View attachment 328556

This may look like bacon but in fact it’s sections of sweatbands that have been exposed to steam. And it’s high is cholesterol, sodium, and phosphates.

Does that mean that a healthy sweat band can take the steam? I’m especially interested because I anticipate needing to stretch this hat a bit to fit. Any advice there? Lexol before stretching?

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Does that mean that a healthy sweat band can take the steam? I’m especially interested because I anticipate needing to stretch this hat a bit to fit. Any advice there? Lexol before stretching?

If the sweatband is in good condition it can take moisture, but the heat associated with steam isn’t good for it. You don’t want the protein in the leather to denature. Any moisture from any source, including perspiration, can shrivel a dry rotted sweatband. The problem is some sweatbands with dry rot don’t show signs of problems until they shrivel and/or delaminate when exposed to steam or other moisture.

I’ve had mostly bad experiences with stretching hats. If it just needs a bump of a fraction of a size that’s one thing, but otherwise I don’t endorse stretching hats to a larger size. Some people, like Randall, have had amazing success stretching hats, but that’s not my talent.

 

[belfastboy]

If the sweatband is in good condition it can take moisture, but the heat associated with steam isn’t good for it. You don’t want the protein in the leather to denature. Any moisture from any source, including perspiration, can shrivel a dry rotted sweatband. The problem is some sweatbands with dry rot don’t show signs of problems until they shrivel and/or delaminate when exposed to steam or other moisture.

I’ve had mostly bad experiences with stretching hats. If it just needs a bump of a fraction of a size that’s one thing, but otherwise I don’t endorse stretching hats to a larger size. Some people, like Randall, have had amazing success stretching hats, but that’s not my talent.

I concur.....would be great to report that I am adept at stretching hats but it would be a lie. No real success unless it is just to nudge it a few millimetres.

 

[Frunobulax]

If you did try your hand at stretching, steam the outside of the hat at the base of the crown, not the inside.

I've had some luck stretching, but I use a crown block to achieve the proper oval. I leave it on the block for a few days and steam the crown base a few times a day to get some results. I wouldn't try to go over a size and it's a crap shoot sometimes whether or not you pop some stitches.

 

[Mighty44]

Thanks all—I will update you soon.

 

[Blare]

Hello All-

Not trying to change the subject here, but not sure if this is the right way to post here.

I just bought an old Stetson that was cheap but described as dirty and needing an airing. I found a great thread here about cleaning liners with Woolite, which I'm planning to do since the thing is yellow. I also found great info about getting smells out by storing in a plastic bag with newspaper -- also planning to do this.

My question is about cleaning the felt. In the photo it looks very dusty, but not necessarily stained -- but hard to say because it's dark grey and it's hard to read photos. I've got some Bickmore hat cleaning sponges. If I just use these to scrape away the top layer of the felt, could that get me most of the way there? Ideally I would do the naptha bath, but since I live in NYC that would be a challenge. Is there any deeper cleaning I can do without taking the hat apart and without damaging the ribbon or sweatband? I don't have a block and flange to reshape the hat after soaking so it would have to be relatively superficial. Any advice appreciated.

Thanks!

David

Welcome to the lounge David. I think you found just the right place to post your question. (As you’ve seen from the responses). The advice from the other gentleman is all excellent. The only thing I can add... or reiterate really is the value of brushing. Especially to get out old dirt and dust. Sometimes it is amazing what a good brushing can do. As Snow said it can sometimes release clouds of dust! I would stress though... when a hat is dirty or dusty... make sure you start with the heavy brushing FIRST before involving anything with water or steam. Get as much out as you can before getting it wet. As water and dirt tends to turn to mud or crud and can stain or at least make the process harder.

Good luck.. have fun... and see you around the lounge.

 

[bobm]

Here's a question for you folks. I just bought this one from Filson it's their collaboration with Stetson (Gun Club).
I'm thinking the brim is just a bit too wide for me to carry off comfortably. Probably will return it, but wanted to see what the better attuned have to say. Somehow, I'm kinda feeling it's a bit off. Too "Outback?"
Forget the poor and quick pictures. Thoughts?

 

[belfastboy]

It looks great. In terms of the appropriateness of the style it depends on the purpose to which it is put. Wide brim gives you lots of sun protection and looks good on you.