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[tridentine]

The Stetson Stratocaster seems to sell for $550 new, the Fender Stratocaster, a bit more.

The Stetson Stratoliner is all over Ebay at the moment, many at high prices. It sold for 6.50 when it was introduced in 1941 and was a low priced offering in Stetson's line-up through most of its early life. Early examples are very sweet in my opinion... less so as the years went by. You can learn a lot about the Stratoliner and the DC-3 in this thread.

Embarrassing.
Sorry about the mixips of "Stratos".
Figures coming from an extreme novice as me.
Thank you for the correction.

 

[alanfgag]

Not at all, and thank you for indulging my teasing with good spirit.

And a second word of caution on the current prices for BIN Stratoliners on ebay. They are very high pre-Xmas hopes. They will come down.

 

[tridentine]

Can anyone help me find this fedora, its mine?:
http://nova.backpage.com/ClothingFo...-western-fedora-hat-with-original-box/8663487
Thank you

 

[jlee562]

That would be an Open Road style, not 50's though, judging from the plastic liner.

 

[tridentine]

That would be an Open Road style, not 50's though, judging from the plastic liner.

Thank you.
Do you know where I can find it in 7.5?

 

[jlee562]

Thank you.
Do you know where I can find it in 7.5?

Stetson still makes the Open Road, although the quality is not up to vintage standards. They come up with frequency on eBay. Although if you like the style, there are any number of brands who made OR styled hats. Akubra is still making the Campdraft, which can be had open crown.

 

[tridentine]

I am looking for a pre 1965 one.
Is ebay a good place to find one in 7.5?

Thank you

 

[jlee562]

eBay is probably the biggest online resource for vintage hats, yes.

 

[tridentine]

Thank you.
Is there a way to tell if Stetsons are from before 1965?

I have noticed that they post that their hats are "vintage" yet they are obviously not that old, and the sellers often do not know for sure.

 

[jlee562]

The easiest way to tell a pre 1960's hat is to look at the liner. Plastic was introduced to the liners during the first half of the 1960's. I have a 1963 Stetson 100 with plastic on the liner, so it's not exactly 65, but it's a rough barometer. Also, look under the "important hat forum threads" note stickied at the top of the forum. You can narrow down the date on a Stetson by looking at the size tag, liner, and sweatband markings.

Those are my vintage Stetsons. On the right is the 1963 100. On the left is a ca. 50's Open Road. You can see the embroidered "Last Drop" liner with the cowboy and the horse and onionskin covering, as well as the wider leather sweatband.

 

[carouselvic]

Stetson started using clear plastic in the early 50's.

 

[jlee562]

Stetson started using clear plastic in the early 50's.

I stand corrected!

 

[fashion frank]

Ok guys after much thought I am ready to buy a brand new Stratoliner.
They have them at the Fedora Store for $152.00 (they are giving 10% off until midnight tonight).
Before I go ahead and make this purchase, does anyone out there have any experience with this site/store and/or the quality of the hats.

I assume that they must be good as they custom make them and it takes 4-6 weeks for it to ship.
If anyone is reading this now and can respond sooner than later I would appreciate it as I only have until midnight to take advantage of this sale. Thanks in advance .

All the Best ,Fashion Frank

 

[jlee562]

Hi Frank, see this thread for everything on the modern Stratoliner: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?58325-The-Stratoliner-Appreciation-Club-MODERN

 

[DJH]

Frank, the modern Stratoliner is a factory made hat from Hatco in Texas - it isn't custom made.

This hat isn't very highly regarded by a lot of the folks here - if you get a chance a vintage one might be better. They are on eBay all the time and at less than the price of the Hatco version if you wear a small size.

 

[fashion frank]

Frank, the modern Stratoliner is a factory made hat from Hatco in Texas - it isn't custom made.

This hat isn't very highly regarded by a lot of the folks here - if you get a chance a vintage one might be better. They are on eBay all the time and at less than the price of the Hatco version if you wear a small size.

Thank you for responding ,and I did read thru that thread and when I got to the post of how someone wore one out in he rain and had to get it reblocked and that kinda soured me on this idea.

Well I guess I will just wait.
I must admit though that I dont see that many stratoliners in 6 7/8 size on ebay , but I'll just hang in till one comes along ,although I see alot of them go sky high on the bidding ( which I notice happens alot regardless of size).

All the Best ,Fashion Frank

 

[jlee562]

Is there a reason you don't want an Open Road? They're quite similar.

 

[alanfgag]

6 7/8? The world of vintage hats is yours, Frank. Can you wear a 7?

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

Thank you for responding ,and I did read thru that thread and when I got to the post of how someone wore one out in he rain and had to get it reblocked and that kinda soured me on this idea.

Well I guess I will just wait.
I must admit though that I dont see that many stratoliners in 6 7/8 size on ebay , but I'll just hang in till one comes along ,although I see alot of them go sky high on the bidding ( which I notice happens alot regardless of size).

All the Best ,Fashion Frank

You are not looking hard enough. There are lot's of 6 7/8's hat's out there. I had a vintage shop owner tell me he didn't bring any 6 7/8 hats in the store as they just sat around. He had a trailer load of them in great shape. Oh to have a small head.

 

[nice hat dude!]

You are not looking hard enough. There are lot's of 6 7/8's hat's out there. I had a vintage shop owner tell me he didn't bring any 6 7/8 hats in the store as they just sat around. He had a trailer load of them in great shape. Oh to have a small head.

You and me both Mr.Wiser.