Derby, Western, Fedora...a Venerable Legend, THE Stetson 3X...BEFORE 1970!!!!

[alanfgag]

Tailored Edge - raw, subtly rounded, not felted. Clear nutria c.1939-41.

Mode-edge - thickened and reinforced (felted?). Marked 3X Beaver, c.1939-41.

 

[Bamaboots]

 

[BobHufford]

^^^^ Whew! I was wondering where it was (thinking you had posted here before the New Hats thread). Very cool! Congrats Greg!

 

[Bamaboots]

I’m 0 for 2 in my latest attempts for hats outside or inside of my size range. My latest attempt, thanks to some MO enablers, one Setter, the other Retriever. I thank them both for their time and especially the effort of the Retriever to secure the hat. Probably the cleanest 3X OR I’ve seen and certainly the nicest one under my roof. The great thing about this one is the felt. Thin and dense with a fine finish. My only other 3X OR is likely a 40’s Model with an oilcloth protected LD liner and the same dimensions as this one. 2 7/8 x 5 1/2.

This hat appears to be a much more recent rendition. Most notably there are no mfg labels underside and the LD liner is spot glued. The surprising thing about this hat is the felt. It is much more dense and thin than one I would have expected from this era. Every bit the equal of my 40’s hat and perhaps better and it does have a better finish. Makes me think of a new hat made with an old blank. Just my thoughts, not a claim. A really soft dress weight OR that can be shaped with a swipe.

The 0 for 2 part is that it doesn’t fit, a bit off. Thought she wanted it but no.

 

[Frunobulax]

I’m 0 for 2 in my latest attempts for hats outside or inside of my size range. My latest attempt, thanks to some MO enablers, one Setter, the other Retriever. I thank them both for their time and especially the effort of the Retriever to secure the hat. Probably the cleanest 3X OR I’ve seen and certainly the nicest one under my roof. The great thing about this one is the felt. Thin and dense with a fine finish. My only other 3X OR is likely a 40’s Model with an oilcloth protected LD liner and the same dimensions as this one. 2 7/8 x 5 1/2.

This hat appears to be a much more recent rendition. Most notably there are no mfg labels underside and the LD liner is spot glued. The surprising thing about this hat is the felt. It is much more dense and thin than one I would have expected from this era. Every bit the equal of my 40’s hat and perhaps better and it does have a better finish. Makes me think of a new hat made with an old blank. Just my thoughts, not a claim. A really soft dress weight OR that can be shaped with a swipe.

The 0 for 2 part is that it doesn’t fit, a bit off. Thought she wanted it but no.

Holy cow, that's nice looking.

 

[alanfgag]

Real nice.

 

[BobHufford]

Early 1950s "Spanish Trail:

 

[RossRYoung]

Early 1950s "Spanish Trail:

Nice one, Bob!

 

[TheOldFashioned]

Selv-Edge 3X:

Specs:

2-1/2" Brim
1/4" welt (Selv-Edge)
5-1/2" Crown (open)
1.75" Ribbon (just under)
106g Weight
​

Picked this up awhile ago but just recently got around to spending some time with it as it arrived rather crumpled. Still needs some work but at least it is to a point where it is wearable. There was no liner and there are no tags anywhere to be found. The only identification is the duplication number stamp on the back of the sweat. Fit is a touch loose, so if I had to guess I'd say it might be a 7-3/8 LO.

The felt itself has a nice hand, and the Selv-Edge is an interesting finish. I believe I read that it was first glued, stitched to hold it together during the curing phase, and then the stitch was removed.

The hat could probably use a proper reblocking and reflange of the brim. I struggled for quite a while trying to get it shaped like I wanted it. Still not completely happy as it currently stands. There is some slight water staining to the ribbon towards the back, though nothing too significant that it detracts from the overall appearance.

Jury is still out if I'm going to keep this or not. I'll give it some head time and decide at a later date.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Selv-Edge 3X:
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Specs:

2-1/2" Brim
1/4" welt (Selv-Edge)
5-1/2" Crown (open)
1.75" Ribbon (just under)
106g Weight
​

Picked this up awhile ago but just recently got around to spending some time with it as it arrived rather crumpled. Still needs some work but at least it is to a point where it is wearable. There was no liner and there are no tags anywhere to be found. The only identification is the duplication number stamp on the back of the sweat. Fit is a touch loose, so if I had to guess I'd say it might be a 7-3/8 LO.

The felt itself has a nice hand, and the Selv-Edge is an interesting finish. I believe I read that it was first glued, stitched to hold it together during the curing phase, and then the stitch was removed.

The hat could probably use a proper reblocking and reflange of the brim. I struggled for quite a while trying to get it shaped like I wanted it. Still not completely happy as it currently stands. There is some slight water staining to the ribbon towards the back, though nothing too significant that it detracts from the overall appearance.

Jury is still out if I'm going to keep this or not. I'll give it some head time and decide at a later date.

Very nice. Sometimes the hats that are a bit beat up are the best bargains.

 

[Just Daniel]

A wonderful 40s 3X Suede Finish. I’ll call it a light chocolate brown.

I think early 40s for the smaller reorder/inventory tags. The felt is sweet and soft, it feels like a stiff breeze could mold it. It is notably finer than my 50s 3Xs.

I can still dream it’s a 30s hat

 

[steur]

A wonderful 40s 3X Suede Finish. I’ll call it a light chocolate brown.

I think early 40s for the smaller reorder/inventory tags. The felt is sweet and soft, it feels like a stiff breeze could mold it. It is notably finer than my 50s 3Xs.

I can still dream it’s a 30s hat


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That is one magnificent hat, whatever the age. Congrats!

 

[Just Daniel]

It’s pretty sweet. I thought it got lost in the Coronavirus mail, but it came through today after only three months in quarantine purgatory.

That is one magnificent hat, whatever the age. Congrats!

 

[Frunobulax]

A hot tip from @BobHufford, a low starting price, and few other bidders won this gorgeous mid-50s Stetson 3X Mode edge. This hit my doorstep a couple of weeks ago.

As with 3X hats, a substantial piece of felt. Not a summer hat. It arrived in great shape and required only a minimal amount of cleaning. Thrilled to add this one to my collection.

5 1/2" x 2 5/8". Perfect.

Original price.

Blocky blocky. And you know I hate that.

Thanks for another great tip, Bob!

 

[BobHufford]

A hot tip from @BobHufford, a low starting price, and few other bidders won this gorgeous mid-50s Stetson 3X Mode edge.

Wow! That's even nicer that I expected it to be. Congrats Jim!

 

[Frunobulax]

Wow! That's even nicer that I expected it to be. Congrats Jim!

No kidding, better than I anticipated. And my first Stetson Mode Edge, as well. Thanks, again.

 

[TheGuitarFairy]

50s 3X Brim looks cool snapped every which way.

 

[BobHufford]

50s 3X Brim looks cool snapped every which way.

Original pug? Great color!

 

[TheGuitarFairy]

Original pug? Great color!

I think so, Bob, yeah!
There isn't a ribbon underneath pug and hat appears very tight.
I figure 50s, The California, hanging by the pool, Esquivel Exotica market ; )

 

[Just Daniel]

I am guessing this will turn out to be a later-40s 3X, given the liner protector, size tag, and mixed star/maple-leaf crests.

It needs a cleaning, but nothing Ignacio can’t handle. If it’s possible, I have too many 3X hats, but I could not resist the model and the seller took what I thought was a low offer. You might say the cost came out pennies-per-inch of crown height!