Ebay Hats: Victories, Defeats, Gripes & Items of Interest

[deadlyhandsome]

Yes, exactly. eBay gripe

Could be a 7 7/8? Those are quite common.

 

[Just Daniel]

Ha ha! Made me laugh!

Could be a 7 7/8? Those are quite common.

 

[Randall Renshaw]

Here’s an eBay victory. Just took around 6 months to make it so.
I bought this BIN size 7 mid 50s Stetson 7XCB for $100 from a lady here in Georgia.
Her pics were blurry and small. didn’t know it was so cratered with alligator bites. When it arrived I was very disappointed and could’ve sent it back, but I decided this thing might be worth all the trouble it’d take to sand the felt back to a smooth finish, plus, make the size 7 stretch to 7 1/4.
Lots of work! Had to take it completely apart, use an orbital sander on the felt till the holes disappeared while being extra careful to insure even felt thickness, clean the liner, block the hat body(several times) condition and stretch the leather sweat, buy new vintage ribbon for binding and hatband and sew it all back together. Might sound easy, but please believe me, it ain’t.
Was it worth it?
Yep.

Here’s before pics—after complete tear down.

First time I’ve used an electric sander for the pounce, but it worked beautifully. Only thing, though, the sand job caused felt splotching, so I tried something new and left this all Beaver felt outside in the sun for 2 weeks so the sun might bleach it to an even color. IT WORKED. Mostly.
Still can see some, but it isn’t bad enough to bother me.
Beaver don’t shrink, not even in the sun, but it also don’t stretch much, either.
The brim was 2 3/4” but now it’s 2 5/8”.
I tried hard not to lose that eighth inch, but it wouldn’t happen. At least the crown didn’t lose any height and actually a bit taller than it was, because I detest short crowns. Rather lose an eighth of brim.
Yes, the felt ended up being thin, but definitely not too thin, and much less rigid. I’m very happy with this hat!
More after pics:

I need a matching wind trolley. The one that was on it was bitten in two, so anyone wanting to donate a pristine wind button robbed from one of their mint ORs I’d appreciate it.

BTW, Is there a TFL hat restoration thread somewhere?

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

View attachment 352170 Here’s an eBay victory. Just took around 6 months to make it so.
I bought this BIN size 7 mid 50s Stetson 7XCB for $100 from a lady here in Georgia.
Her pics were blurry and small. didn’t know it was so cratered with alligator bites. When it arrived I was very disappointed and could’ve sent it back, but I decided this thing might be worth all the trouble it’d take to sand the felt back to a smooth finish, plus, make the size 7 stretch to 7 1/4.
Lots of work! Had to take it completely apart, use an orbital sander on the felt till the holes disappeared while being extra careful to insure even felt thickness, clean the liner, block the hat body(several times) condition and stretch the leather sweat, buy new vintage ribbon for binding and hatband and sew it all back together. Might sound easy, but please believe me, it ain’t.
Was it worth it?
Yep.

Here’s before pics—after complete tear down. View attachment 352168 View attachment 352169 View attachment 352171
First time I’ve used an electric sander for the pounce, but it worked beautifully. Only thing, though, the sand job caused felt splotching, so I tried something new and left this all Beaver felt outside in the sun for 2 weeks so the sun might bleach it to an even color. IT WORKED. Mostly.
Still can see some, but it isn’t bad enough to bother me.
Beaver don’t shrink, not even in the sun, but it also don’t stretch much, either.
The brim was 2 3/4” but now it’s 2 5/8”.
I tried hard not to lose that eighth inch, but it wouldn’t happen. At least the crown didn’t lose any height and actually a bit taller than it was, because I detest short crowns. Rather lose an eighth of brim.
Yes, the felt ended up being thin, but definitely not too thin, and much less rigid. I’m very happy with this hat!
More after pics: View attachment 352173 View attachment 352174 View attachment 352175
I need a matching wind trolley. The one that was on it was bitten in two, so anyone wanting to donate a pristine wind button robbed from one of their mint ORs I’d appreciate it.

BTW, Is there a TFL hat restoration thread somewhere? View attachment 352176 View attachment 352172

Now that’s amazing!!
Took some real determination and skill to bring that one back.
Much respect.
B

 

[Rmccamey]

Excellent recovery of an excellent hat, Randall.

View attachment 352170 Here’s an eBay victory. Just took around 6 months to make it so.
I bought this BIN size 7 mid 50s Stetson 7XCB for $100 from a lady here in Georgia.
Her pics were blurry and small. didn’t know it was so cratered with alligator bites. When it arrived I was very disappointed and could’ve sent it back, but I decided this thing might be worth all the trouble it’d take to sand the felt back to a smooth finish, plus, make the size 7 stretch to 7 1/4.
Lots of work! Had to take it completely apart, use an orbital sander on the felt till the holes disappeared while being extra careful to insure even felt thickness, clean the liner, block the hat body(several times) condition and stretch the leather sweat, buy new vintage ribbon for binding and hatband and sew it all back together. Might sound easy, but please believe me, it ain’t.
Was it worth it?
Yep.

Here’s before pics—after complete tear down. View attachment 352168 View attachment 352169 View attachment 352171
First time I’ve used an electric sander for the pounce, but it worked beautifully. Only thing, though, the sand job caused felt splotching, so I tried something new and left this all Beaver felt outside in the sun for 2 weeks so the sun might bleach it to an even color. IT WORKED. Mostly.
Still can see some, but it isn’t bad enough to bother me.
Beaver don’t shrink, not even in the sun, but it also don’t stretch much, either.
The brim was 2 3/4” but now it’s 2 5/8”.
I tried hard not to lose that eighth inch, but it wouldn’t happen. At least the crown didn’t lose any height and actually a bit taller than it was, because I detest short crowns. Rather lose an eighth of brim.
Yes, the felt ended up being thin, but definitely not too thin, and much less rigid. I’m very happy with this hat!
More after pics: View attachment 352173 View attachment 352174 View attachment 352175
I need a matching wind trolley. The one that was on it was bitten in two, so anyone wanting to donate a pristine wind button robbed from one of their mint ORs I’d appreciate it.

BTW, Is there a TFL hat restoration thread somewhere? View attachment 352176 View attachment 352172

 

[Blare]

View attachment 352170 Here’s an eBay victory. Just took around 6 months to make it so.
I bought this BIN size 7 mid 50s Stetson 7XCB for $100 from a lady here in Georgia.
Her pics were blurry and small. didn’t know it was so cratered with alligator bites. When it arrived I was very disappointed and could’ve sent it back, but I decided this thing might be worth all the trouble it’d take to sand the felt back to a smooth finish, plus, make the size 7 stretch to 7 1/4.
Lots of work! Had to take it completely apart, use an orbital sander on the felt till the holes disappeared while being extra careful to insure even felt thickness, clean the liner, block the hat body(several times) condition and stretch the leather sweat, buy new vintage ribbon for binding and hatband and sew it all back together. Might sound easy, but please believe me, it ain’t.
Was it worth it?
Yep.

Here’s before pics—after complete tear down. View attachment 352168 View attachment 352169 View attachment 352171
First time I’ve used an electric sander for the pounce, but it worked beautifully. Only thing, though, the sand job caused felt splotching, so I tried something new and left this all Beaver felt outside in the sun for 2 weeks so the sun might bleach it to an even color. IT WORKED. Mostly.
Still can see some, but it isn’t bad enough to bother me.
Beaver don’t shrink, not even in the sun, but it also don’t stretch much, either.
The brim was 2 3/4” but now it’s 2 5/8”.
I tried hard not to lose that eighth inch, but it wouldn’t happen. At least the crown didn’t lose any height and actually a bit taller than it was, because I detest short crowns. Rather lose an eighth of brim.
Yes, the felt ended up being thin, but definitely not too thin, and much less rigid. I’m very happy with this hat!
More after pics: View attachment 352173 View attachment 352174 View attachment 352175
I need a matching wind trolley. The one that was on it was bitten in two, so anyone wanting to donate a pristine wind button robbed from one of their mint ORs I’d appreciate it.

BTW, Is there a TFL hat restoration thread somewhere? View attachment 352176 View attachment 352172

What a wonderful job Randall.

 

[BobHufford]

Might sound easy, but please believe me, it ain’t.

Magic? Sleight of hand? Nope ... hard work by a talented craftsman. Kudos Randall!

 

[Tukwila]

View attachment 352170 Here’s an eBay victory. Just took around 6 months to make it so.
I bought this BIN size 7 mid 50s Stetson 7XCB for $100 from a lady here in Georgia.
Her pics were blurry and small. didn’t know it was so cratered with alligator bites. When it arrived I was very disappointed and could’ve sent it back, but I decided this thing might be worth all the trouble it’d take to sand the felt back to a smooth finish, plus, make the size 7 stretch to 7 1/4.
Lots of work! Had to take it completely apart, use an orbital sander on the felt till the holes disappeared while being extra careful to insure even felt thickness, clean the liner, block the hat body(several times) condition and stretch the leather sweat, buy new vintage ribbon for binding and hatband and sew it all back together. Might sound easy, but please believe me, it ain’t.
Was it worth it?
Yep.

Here’s before pics—after complete tear down. View attachment 352168 View attachment 352169 View attachment 352171
First time I’ve used an electric sander for the pounce, but it worked beautifully. Only thing, though, the sand job caused felt splotching, so I tried something new and left this all Beaver felt outside in the sun for 2 weeks so the sun might bleach it to an even color. IT WORKED. Mostly.
Still can see some, but it isn’t bad enough to bother me.
Beaver don’t shrink, not even in the sun, but it also don’t stretch much, either.
The brim was 2 3/4” but now it’s 2 5/8”.
I tried hard not to lose that eighth inch, but it wouldn’t happen. At least the crown didn’t lose any height and actually a bit taller than it was, because I detest short crowns. Rather lose an eighth of brim.
Yes, the felt ended up being thin, but definitely not too thin, and much less rigid. I’m very happy with this hat!
More after pics: View attachment 352173 View attachment 352174 View attachment 352175
I need a matching wind trolley. The one that was on it was bitten in two, so anyone wanting to donate a pristine wind button robbed from one of their mint ORs I’d appreciate it.

BTW, Is there a TFL hat restoration thread somewhere? View attachment 352176 View attachment 352172

Amazing work, Randall. The result is nothing short of miraculous.

 

[Randall Renshaw]

Now that’s amazing!!
Took some real determination and skill to bring that one back.
Much respect.
B

Thanks, Bowen!
After working with 100% beaver fur I am amazed with it. It’s so much better at everything that hats need to be and do.
There was a time, not too long ago, Where I didn’t own or had never even held a 7X and couldn’t imagine a fur felt being so incredible, but after owning two and especially working/restoring one I can agree that this felt is, by far, superior.
I have only two nutria hats and am impressed with its qualities, as well.
Since beaver is sorta hard to come by, are nutria an endangered, or difficult to obtain specie?
If not, I could wish that all hats be made of ‘em!

 

[Randall Renshaw]

Excellent recovery of an excellent hat, Randall.

What a wonderful job Randall.

Magic? Sleight of hand? Nope ... hard work by a talented craftsman. Kudos Randall!

Amazing work, Randall. The result is nothing short of miraculous.

Thanks, guys!
High praise from respectable peers brings humble joy to this hat lover.

 

[Louis Mountbatten]

Thanks, Bowen!
After working with 100% beaver fur I am amazed with it. It’s so much better at everything that hats need to be and do.
There was a time, not too long ago, Where I didn’t own or had never even held a 7X and couldn’t imagine a fur felt being so incredible, but after owning two and especially working/restoring one I can agree that this felt is, by far, superior.
I have only two nutria hats and am impressed with its qualities, as well.
Since beaver is sorta hard to come by, are nutria an endangered, or difficult to obtain specie?
If not, I could wish that all hats be made of ‘em!

There are a lot of nutria in Louisiana. But the market is not so great for them. At only a few bucks a pelt, few trap them. They tried to drum up interest in them calling them the "socially conscious" fur or something like that about ten years ago because they are an invasive species and there are a ton of 'em. But I don't think it helped. The whole fur industry is down these days.

 

[drmaxtejeda]

I just won this size 5 Borsalino MGL, hoping the size 5 is five punti. I intend it as a gift for Ramón, my compadre

 

[Bill Hughes]

I just won this size 5 Borsalino MGL, hoping the size 5 is five punti. I intend it as a gift for Ramón, my compadre View attachment 352553 View attachment 352554 View attachment 352555 View attachment 352556 View attachment 352557 View attachment 352558

Yep it’s a 5 punti. (57cm or 7 1/8 US)

 

[Just Daniel]

Wow. Very impressive.

View attachment 352170 Here’s an eBay victory. Just took around 6 months to make it so.
I bought this BIN size 7 mid 50s Stetson 7XCB for $100 from a lady here in Georgia.
Her pics were blurry and small. didn’t know it was so cratered with alligator bites. When it arrived I was very disappointed and could’ve sent it back, but I decided this thing might be worth all the trouble it’d take to sand the felt back to a smooth finish, plus, make the size 7 stretch to 7 1/4.
Lots of work! Had to take it completely apart, use an orbital sander on the felt till the holes disappeared while being extra careful to insure even felt thickness, clean the liner, block the hat body(several times) condition and stretch the leather sweat, buy new vintage ribbon for binding and hatband and sew it all back together. Might sound easy, but please believe me, it ain’t.
Was it worth it?
Yep.

Here’s before pics—after complete tear down. View attachment 352168 View attachment 352169 View attachment 352171
First time I’ve used an electric sander for the pounce, but it worked beautifully. Only thing, though, the sand job caused felt splotching, so I tried something new and left this all Beaver felt outside in the sun for 2 weeks so the sun might bleach it to an even color. IT WORKED. Mostly.
Still can see some, but it isn’t bad enough to bother me.
Beaver don’t shrink, not even in the sun, but it also don’t stretch much, either.
The brim was 2 3/4” but now it’s 2 5/8”.
I tried hard not to lose that eighth inch, but it wouldn’t happen. At least the crown didn’t lose any height and actually a bit taller than it was, because I detest short crowns. Rather lose an eighth of brim.
Yes, the felt ended up being thin, but definitely not too thin, and much less rigid. I’m very happy with this hat!
More after pics: View attachment 352173 View attachment 352174 View attachment 352175
I need a matching wind trolley. The one that was on it was bitten in two, so anyone wanting to donate a pristine wind button robbed from one of their mint ORs I’d appreciate it.

BTW, Is there a TFL hat restoration thread somewhere? View attachment 352176 View attachment 352172

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Greeley Hat Works Custom Classic:

 

[Garrett]

19th Century

 

[belfastboy]

Greeley Hat Works Custom Classic:

View attachment 352857 View attachment 352858

Based on the newest Greeley price list that is an expensive hat!

 

[BobHufford]

19th Century

Beautiful! I assume it came with the Stratoliner box, due to the labeling on the lid. Nice bonus. How wide is that sweat band? Maybe the size of the hat is throwing me off, but it looks w-i-d-e ... and comfortable. Congrats!

 

[Blare]

19th Century

Fantastic Garrett. I’m glad you got that one.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Based on the newest Greeley price list that is an expensive hat!

It will be my second of this same model. They may be expensive, but they aren’t anything spectacular. I just about stole this one.