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[moontheloon]

Ok... I have many vintage Stratoliner pins ... they all look like this

I today received a very nice late 40s/early 50s Strat (photos later) and it came with this pin

Never seen one like this... any info?

Text on the back says “sterling” ... as in silver I presume

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[jlee562]

Some hat block questions
1) other than the venerable #52, is there block profile number I should be looking for that's good for a straight sided crown?
2) anybody have experience with Hatters Supply House? They offer new wooden blocks: https://www.hatterssupplyhouse.com/hat-blocks

 

[moontheloon]

Some hat block questions
1) other than the venerable #52, is there block profile number I should be looking for that's good for a straight sided crown?
2) anybody have experience with Hatters Supply House? They offer new wooden blocks: https://www.hatterssupplyhouse.com/hat-blocks

I have a couple 81 blocks that are quite straight

as straight as a 52 I once owned but about 1/2” shorter

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[Redfokker]

Ok... I have many vintage Stratoliner pins ... they all look like this

I today received a very nice late 40s/early 50s Strat (photos later) and it came with this pin

Never seen one like this... any info?

Text on the back says “sterling” ... as in silver I presume

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Now that is a proper Boeing Stratoliner, not a DC-3 like most. Was this the pin from the early days of Strat Production?

 

[Cane Rod Maker]

I'm a 7 3/8/59cm hat size, which I've learned here is a pretty common, yet more difficult to come by size on Vintage hats.

Finding a pristine 7-5/8 hat, not an easy score. I have several 40s Stetsons and a Borso, and 8 to 10 years back they were rare as hens teeth, and through the roof in price. Now it's outrageous cost, when you find one, that is special in a sense.
I'd venture a guess though, that you can get a great custom beaver built, for less than the price of one, pristine 7-5/8 and still have some money for the market.


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[Cane Rod Maker]

those more modern ones are out there at those prices ... the early ones not so much ...

nice piece

Truth be told!

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[Cane Rod Maker]

My question is so trivial that rather than start a new thread, I thought I'd just ask here.

I have to travel to California for the week on business. I can take only one hat. As a veteran traveler, I can pack everything I need for a week into a single suitcase. I am very good at color coordinating, so my attire will be a mix of navy blue blazer, two grey slacks and one pair of khakis, and an assortment of shirts the go with them. So, what is the best hat to wear? My choices are:

• Grey Flechet fedora
• Brown Mallory Eagle
• Oxblood fedora (Bailey)
• Loden Green fedora (Bailey)
• Navy Blue pork pie (Hats in the Belfry)
• Black fedora (Sterkowski)
• Black fedora (Selentino)

I'm leaning toward one of the two black fedoras (the Selentino has a slighty wider brim). I've used spacers to make the Flechet fit, but both the Sterkowski and the Selentino just mold themselves to my head.

Your opinions, please?

I'd lean, toward the choice of gray. IMHO.

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[moontheloon]

Now that is a proper Boeing Stratoliner, not a DC-3 like most. Was this the pin from the early days of Strat Production?

That is precisely what I am asking

all of my others look like the first picture

I’m wondering if this is possibly an earlier production?

The seller claims it is original to the hat ... and he seems quite knowledgeable... I was wondering if he was someone among us


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[carouselvic]

Was he the original purchaser of the hat?

 

[moontheloon]

Was he the original purchaser of the hat?

His father was

Or rather it was a gift to his father

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[carouselvic]

Then he would not know what was original to the hat. This whole strat pin thing has been cussed and discussed as long as I can remember.

 

[Redfokker]

That is precisely what I am asking

all of my others look like the first picture

I’m wondering if this is possibly an earlier production?

The seller claims it is original to the hat ... and he seems quite knowledgeable... I was wondering if he was someone among us


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Do we know when production of the Statoliner began? This pin is a true artifact Anthony. I have searched this topic on the lounge before, dreaming of a vintage Strat for my collection. You have another showpiece in your exemplary collection. The original Boeing Stratoliner would be concurrent with my estimation of first production, this pin is true to the actual aircraft, a real beauty that was eclipsed by the Douglas DC-3 in production. Boeing used the airframe of the B-17 Bomber and a passenger fuselage to create the Stratoliner from the Flying Fortress.

 

[moontheloon]

Then he would not know what was original to the hat. This whole strat pin thing has been cussed and discussed as long as I can remember.

I honestly couldn’t care any less whether it is original to the hat or not... I’m simply asking if anyone had seen one like this before because I have not


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[carouselvic]

Yes, I have seen that type of pin before.

 

[jlee562]

I know this link has floated around the lounge before, looks like it could be the same mold:
http://www.1903.com/Military-Jewelery/Commerical/TWA-Stratoliner-Aircraft-Sterling-Pin-p772.html

 

[moontheloon]

Yes, I have seen that type of pin before.

is it a pin that came with the hats ?

 

[belfastboy]

Some hat block questions
1) other than the venerable #52, is there block profile number I should be looking for that's good for a straight sided crown?
2) anybody have experience with Hatters Supply House? They offer new wooden blocks: https://www.hatterssupplyhouse.com/hat-blocks

If you go on the Leon Drexler website he shows graphics of the4 blocks he uses.

 

[carouselvic]

is it a pin that came with the hats ?

Old strat ads clearly showed the plane flying the other direction and with just two engines.

 

[carouselvic]

I have no idea. I never bought a new strat from the forties or fifties. I do know not all Strats came with that special box.

 

[Fivesense]

Finding a pristine 7-5/8 hat, not an easy score. I have several 40s Stetsons and a Borso, and 8 to 10 years back they were rare as hens teeth, and through the roof in price. Now it's outrageous cost, when you find one, that is special in a sense.
I'd venture a guess though, that you can get a great custom beaver built, for less than the price of one, pristine 7-5/8 and still have some money for the market.


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Hi Tim- thank you for your response. I assume your suggestions apply to 7-3/8 as well? Or should I be looking for a 7-5/8 for some reason? (I'm a 7-3/8)