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Don Fanucci hat?

bdcochran01

New in Town
Messages
3
Location
Los Angeles
My hat collection is not complete (5 top hats alone!). I have to find a Don Fanucci hat as worn in the Godfather. Who makes it and the model number? Thank you.
 

Fed in a Fedora

Practically Family
Messages
739
Location
Dixie, USA
Okay, the lack of answers speaks volumes, but I will jump in with a few observations mostly to spur discussion.

Fanucci has a white/bone hat of what seems like a nice thin soft felt which is in keeping with this character's wealth. (The color sometimes looks cream, but I think this is due to the lighting.) It has a deep full crown. The crown looks hand shaped (tight 3 fingered pinch) and the brim varies a bit as he wears it in different scenes. The brim appears to have a raw edge. Almost always left up all around but a few times a bit turned down in front. His hat band is quite wide with a regular looking bow to my eye. I can think of a few hats with some similar elements, but not the complete combination.

I would think that a number of hatters on this forum could make a very credible facsimile for you, but I see no off-the-shelf model which would do it justice.

On the other hand, a Stetson Grand Central Royal Deluxe in Open Crown as sold by Del Monico would be as close as I see in a quick and simple project. Far from perfect, it is the only option regular production option that I see. The Stetson brim is not raw and is arguably a bit narrow - especially if you trim the overwelt edge. But with some shaping and a replacement band (wrong color) it would be in the ballpark.

Good luck,
Fed
 
Last edited:

Bob Roberts

I'll Lock Up
Messages
11,201
Location
milford ct
Okay, the lack of answers speaks volumes, but I will jump in with a few observations mostly to spur discussion.

Fanucci has a white/bone hat of what seems like a nice thin soft felt which is in keeping with this character's wealth. (The color sometimes looks cream, but I think this is due to the lighting.) It has a deep full crown which appears to have a raw edge. The crown looks hand shaped (tight 3 fingered pinch) and the brim varies a bit as he wears it in different scenes. Almost always left up all around but a few times a bit turned down in front. His hat band is quite wide with a regular looking bow to my eye. I can think of a few hats with some similar elements, but not the complete combination.

I would think that a number of hatters on this forum could make a very credible facsimile for you, but I see no off-the-shelf model which would do it justice.

On the other hand, a Stetson Grand Central Royal Deluxe in Open Crown as sold by Del Monico would be as close as I see in a quick and simple project. Far from perfect, it is the only option regular production option that I see. The Stetson brim is not raw and is arguably a bit narrow - especially if you trim the overwelt edge. But with some shaping and a replacement band it would be in the ballpark.

Good luck,
Fed
"Just enough (info) to wet his beak..."
 

Bigger Don

Practically Family
Okay, the lack of answers speaks volumes, but I will jump in with a few observations mostly to spur discussion.

Fanucci has a white/bone hat of what seems like a nice thin soft felt which is in keeping with this character's wealth. (The color sometimes looks cream, but I think this is due to the lighting.) It has a deep full crown which appears to have a raw edge. The crown looks hand shaped (tight 3 fingered pinch) and the brim varies a bit as he wears it in different scenes. Almost always left up all around but a few times a bit turned down in front. His hat band is quite wide with a regular looking bow to my eye. I can think of a few hats with some similar elements, but not the complete combination.

I would think that a number of hatters on this forum could make a very credible facsimile for you, but I see no off-the-shelf model which would do it justice.

On the other hand, a Stetson Grand Central Royal Deluxe in Open Crown as sold by Del Monico would be as close as I see in a quick and simple project. Far from perfect, it is the only option regular production option that I see. The Stetson brim is not raw and is arguably a bit narrow - especially if you trim the overwelt edge. But with some shaping and a replacement band it would be in the ballpark.

Good luck,
Fed
Last week when I was at Batsake's in Cincinnati I think I may have seen what you may be looking for.
 

Lean'n'mean

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,085
Location
Cloud-cuckoo-land
Given the character's origins, Borsalino would be an obvious presumption & the model number is 330X100005OP9841016000000000000000000000040000000000000000000079 minus the number you first thought of. Please note that this particular model is no longer made.
Hope this helps.
 

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