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[BobHufford]

Does anyone know anything about the (Stetson?) Big Four Hat?

In trying to find info on the Goralnik Hat Company (of Fall River, Mass.) I ran across this law suit. Note that "Big Four" was a common name for western hat models.

 

[ILB Frank]

That takes the big four back to at least 1919. Anyone know when that name started being used for hats?

 

[carouselvic]

Does anyone know anything about the (Stetson?) Big Four Hat? @Robieman posted a replica he had Major Mike build. That is pretty much what I'm imagining my next hat to be. Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[carouselvic]

 

[ILB Frank]

I went through all of the Miller-Stockman thread. This ad from 1931 claims the Big Four was around since 1891 (40 years) and was also referred to as the Big Cord.

No real idea when this style disappeared as I don't know how complete the catalog postings were for the years in the thread. The last year I saw this style was the 1938 catalog.

@carouselvic do you know what year your posted ad was from?

 

[LEOSTARK]

Good day,
Is the opal triplet on Akubra's Coober Pedy easily removable?
Thank you.

 

[Mighty44]

Hello all—

I’m super sorry to see the end of felt season and pushing it as long as I can.

In the meantime I pulled my lone straw hat out of the closet—a modern woven hemp Stratoliner I bought last year and wore all summer.

The brim seems to have curled up over the winter—as if the binding is pulling it up all around. I tried steaming and pressing flat with my hands with no improvement. Is there a next step? Could I iron this with a cloth shield and lots of steam? I wouldn’t mind if it was much flatter but don’t want to destroy the hat.

Thanks for any suggestions!

David

Okay—I’m going to answer my own question! I decided the hat looked too ridiculous to wear either the brim curling up front and back so I had nothing to lose. I ironed it with a dish towel and it came out perfect—that slightly flat stratoliner brim with just a little tension in the binding to snap it up and down. Recommended.

David

 

[carouselvic]

@carouselvic do you know what year your posted ad was from?

Apr. 1 1925 is what was hand written on the document.

Here is another from Stetson, but is not dated.

 

[Bamaboots]

That latest No. 1 of mine is so close to those dimensions but no cigar. 6 1/4 x 3 3/4 to the curl.

 

[M Hatman]

Simply WONDERFUL HAT!!!!

Branding Iron font is a LOT like my Dakota.....
Mine has the "moleskin" stamp (and fray) too..
Interestingly it has the same ribbon and campaign bow too.....

 

[M Hatman]

I went through all of the Miller-Stockman thread. This ad from 1931 claims the Big Four was around since 1891 (40 years) and was also referred to as the Big Cord.
View attachment 426762
No real idea when this style disappeared as I don't know how complete the catalog postings were for the years in the thread. The last year I saw this style was the 1938 catalog.

@carouselvic do you know what year your posted ad was from?

I think the refence to the "Big Cord" is for the introduction of the new style band (a six cord) as being introduced in this ad.....so would not mean the hat was ever called that...especially since prior to this it did not sport a cord ribbon.

 

[Matt_SFL]

is Raymond Reddington’s hat 60’s or 50’s

 

[belfastboy]

is Raymond Reddington’s hat 60’s or 50’s

To my eyes it is a decidedly 60's era look. With perhaps even a taller, fuller crown than is usual for that period. Earliest would be late 1950's?

 

[deadlyhandsome]

To my eyes it is a decidedly 60's era look. With perhaps even a taller, fuller crown than is usual for that period. Earliest would be late 1950's?

+1

 

[Matt_SFL]

To my eyes it is a decidedly 60's era look. With perhaps even a taller, fuller crown than is usual for that period. Earliest would be late 1950's?

Thanks for your reply…I thought so as well but just wanted to make sure, I love 60s style stingy brims and that’s basically all I own but I have hats that are 2.38 brim which is a little bigger than the average 60s hat and just wanted to get some clarity on it since it was bugging me not knowing lol

 

[Bill Hughes]

is Raymond Reddington’s hat 60’s or 50’s

He wears Borsalino felts on the show and sometimes a hat from John Penman. While it has a sixty’s look, I would think they are recent production.

 

[belfastboy]

Thanks for your reply…I thought so as well but just wanted to make sure, I love 60s style stingy brims and that’s basically all I own but I have hats that are 2.38 brim which is a little bigger than the average 60s hat and just wanted to get some clarity on it since it was bugging me not knowing lol

Hat nomenclature is an inexact science. A 2 3/8" is in no man's land. Def not a stingy, bordering on a Fedora, but more in Trilby territory. But if you want to start an argument broach this subject. Also the pure 60's hats had a fair bit of taper to the crown and they were also lower. The entire profile of the hat was demure.

 

[Zombie_61]

...Also the pure 60's hats had a fair bit of taper to the crown and they were also lower. The entire profile of the hat was demure.

"Demure". Interesting choice of words to describe hats from a decade that was anything but, but it's an accurate description.

 

[Blare]

is Raymond Reddington’s hat 60’s or 50’s

Definitely had a 60s stingy brim vibe. Red’s hats were what inspired me to start wearing real hats.

As Bill said…. Originally Red was wearing current production off the rack Borsalino. At some point Jon Penman was contracted to make customs for the show.

 

[carouselvic]

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Various News Clips

Collection of various news clips and segments including Ask the Governor and In Session.

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