Borsalino Thin Ribbon Gray - Punti 7 (7 5/8!)

[MattJH]

My first truly vintage Borsalino. I won this for under $45, including shipping! I can't wait. Two questions:

01) The sweatband clearly says "Original House" instead of "Antica Casa" (do I have that right?). Does that mean it's from the original factory but intended to be exported? Is this definitely an original factory Borsalino?

02) It's obvious that the brim has some creasing. Any recommendations other than steam to get them out?

I'll definitely post more pictures when I have it in my hands.

 

[AlanC]

She's a beauty, and a great price, too.

 

[RBH]

Looks great. All I think it needs is a little refinement on the bash and then WEAR it!
:eusa_clap

 

[deanglen]

Steam away and shape that brim and you'll be the envy of guys like me who love that style of hat. NICE!

dean

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Yes that's an original intended for export (first guess late 40s, early 50s). What makes you think it's PUNTI 7? I'd be worried about that claim for a hat intended for the American market with a "7" tag in it.

bk

 

[MattJH]

Yes that's an original intended for export (first guess late 40s, early 50s). What makes you think it's PUNTI 7? I'd be worried about that claim for a hat intended for the American market with a "7" tag in it.

bk

That's a fair question. Before placing a bid, I emailed the seller with:

"Would you please measure the internal circumference of the sweatband in inches or centimeters? You should come up with anywhere between 20 - 25 inches or 53 - 61 centimeters. I'd really appreciate it. That way, I'd know if it'll fit me. Thanks!"

The seller replied with:

"i get approx.24 inches"

A USA size 7 is approximately 22 inches. So either:

01) The seller is really horrible at measuring
02) I'm really horrible at giving directions at measuring
03) It's a Punti 7, which is exactly 24 inches in circumference according to this chart

Now that you've instilled doubt in me, you have to keep your fingers crossed until I get the hat!

 

[Dinerman]

Yeah. Keep your fingers crossed that the seller didn't make the age old seller mistake of thinking that measuring the inside sweatband circumference must mean measuring around the outside ribbon.

The "original house" means it's a US model. Even if it is that small, you steam the brim, put a good bash in it, take a picture with the brim snapped down on a solid color background with a great description, and you can probably make a good profit on it.

 

[MattJH]

Ugh. If anyone knows -- was the Punti sizing for Borsalinos used exclusively on hats that were not intended for export ("Antica Casa")? Or did they use Punti sizing for all hats, whether or not they'd be exported?

 

[Dinerman]

I've got US sizing in all my US model (original house) hats, and Punti in all my ones with antica casa/ foreign store stamped ones.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

ditto

fingers crossed for you, though.

bk

 

[Wesne]

Nice find Dumbjaw! If it's just a little too small for you I know someone it would probably fit perfectly...

 

[MattJH]

Nice find Dumbjaw! If it's just a little too small for you I know someone it would probably fit perfectly...

If that's the case, you're it! I'll never forget the Champ Deluxe, which is currently in Graham's hands at Optimo.

 

[Wesne]

I can't wait to see that Champ when you get it back.

 

[MattJH]

The seller just emailed me that it turns out the circumference is 22 inches, not 24 inches. How could you be off by two entire inches?

I've politely requested that he refund my money via PayPal and not ship the hat tomorrow since my bid was based on inaccurate information. Hopefully he obliges.

Oh well! Lesson learned. Thank you, everyone. I now know how to determine Punti sizing with Borsalinos.

 

[MattJH]

The seller just refunded me. Whew! Close call.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

You're probably better off without that hat. Did you see the mildew stains on the leather sweatband? Not a good sign. If there are mold spores on the inside of the band, it could actually be dangerous.

.

 

[Dinerman]

Well, looks like it's back up. "Relisted due to non paying bidder" What's up with the brim?

 

[MattJH]

He should've phrased it "Relisted due to my inability to accurately use a measuring device."

The brim was that way when I purchased it, hence my questions in the beginning of the thread. Looks like the hat was folded at some point (or something).

 

[AlanC]

Well, looks like it's back up. "Relisted due to non paying bidder"

That sounds better than "I had to refund payment because I can't measure properly".