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

[splintercellsz]

Than you, fellas!

I hope this one fits. It was measured to a 7, and I am a 7 1/8 - 7 1/4, but I may be able to squeeze into this one [huh] Alan, youi had a cap stretched, if I recall correctly?

 

[alanfgag]

I did and I've increased the circumference in a number of others from 6 7/8 up to my size. There are always risks and compromises with stretching but it can be a means to make a one of a kind headliner into a wearable cap.

 

[rlk]

Nice looking fabric. I have about 5-6 of this type--They tend to run smaller in the tucked flaps position than flaps down--a full size differential.

There are no stretchable materials inside and lots of seams and thin linings to tear. I've had minor separations putting them on my head and 3 were NOS to visual inspection. This would be like stretching your suit if it were short. Not like the typical separate sweatband and open weave fabric cap.

No reason to believe it predates the 20th Century.

 

[alanfgag]

...This would be like stretching your suit if it were short.

I think this is a great comparison. I've been hunting for a suit stretcher on ebay with no success. I have a few suits that could use a little stretching around the middle.

 

[rlk]

I think this is a great comparison. I've been hunting for a suit stretcher on ebay with no success. I have a few suits that could use a little stretching around the middle.

Wrong direction--try Corsets and Girdles

Perhaps there's a Cranium Crusher

 

[splintercellsz]

I see! If It is too small, back to the market it goes. What would you say it may be date wise? 20s, 30s?

 

[rlk]

Probably, but they looked the same in 1900 as 1940.
I can squeeze on my 7-1/8 with flaps down(not even close at all retracted) so its likely it will be wearable at least in that configuration. They really are rather warm for temperatures other than when you want to cover your ears anyway.

 

[Simonds]

Nice find Justin!

 

[jskeen]

Picked up a 100% fur beaver brand off feebay because the seller had several decent looking westerns listed dirt cheap, and I've been looking for some victims for my first attempts at diy drycleaning, conversion, stretching, blocking and resewing. Hoped I could add a couple more, as the shipping was more than the hats, but got outbid on all the rest.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Tan-Major-Beaver-Fur-Cowboy-Western-Hat-/200914341129?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&nma=true&si=NQ5mhYjyuJrHkiLXLKSbkCiNBDU%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

Anyway, emailed him and he seemed like a nice guy, so I suggested a pig in a poke sale. I told him what I was wanting to do and what I was interested in, and said if you have something that might work, just hit me with an add on price. He came back with "I've got 3 fedora types that could use a little work, and I'll let you have them for $5 each on top of the one you have now. I figured "what the heck, that's less than a 12 pack of good beer, let's see what he's got. Total sale was $34.47 for 4 hats. I wasn't expecting a lot, but hey, I wasn't paying a lot either, and I did want some bodies that I wouldn't feel bad about messing with. So, box shows up today, and here's the take.

The primary, a "major" model beaver brand one size too small. It's pretty stiff and has a few small bugglies on it. Not too bad though.

A dirty but very solid Wormser with no scuffs or nibbles, with a nice soft sweat, and a working trolly, also 7 1/8 so will need a bit of a stretch.

A pretty badly chewed up Bradford in a 7 that I'm not sure I can do anything with, but might work for a kids costume piece.

and this may be the pick of the litter, a nearly mint pilgrim, 7 3/8, clean, solid, un-nibbled and ready to tighten up a little and wear to the races.

Pretty happy with my new projects for $8.61 each. What do you guys think?

 

[Rick Blaine]

Picked up a 100% fur beaver brand off feebay because the seller had several decent looking westerns listed dirt cheap, and I've been looking for some victims for my first attempts at diy drycleaning, conversion, stretching, blocking and resewing. Hoped I could add a couple more, as the shipping was more than the hats, but got outbid on all the rest.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Tan-Major-Beaver-Fur-Cowboy-Western-Hat-/200914341129?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&nma=true&si=NQ5mhYjyuJrHkiLXLKSbkCiNBDU%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

Anyway, emailed him and he seemed like a nice guy, so I suggested a pig in a poke sale. I told him what I was wanting to do and what I was interested in, and said if you have something that might work, just hit me with an add on price. He came back with "I've got 3 fedora types that could use a little work, and I'll let you have them for $5 each on top of the one you have now. I figured "what the heck, that's less than a 12 pack of good beer, let's see what he's got. Total sale was $34.47 for 4 hats. I wasn't expecting a lot, but hey, I wasn't paying a lot either, and I did want some bodies that I wouldn't feel bad about messing with. So, box shows up today, and here's the take.

The primary, a "major" model beaver brand one size too small. It's pretty stiff and has a few small bugglies on it. Not too bad though.

A dirty but very solid Wormser with no scuffs or nibbles, with a nice soft sweat, and a working trolly, also 7 1/8 so will need a bit of a stretch.

A pretty badly chewed up Bradford in a 7 that I'm not sure I can do anything with, but might work for a kids costume piece.

and this may be the pick of the litter, a nearly mint pilgrim, 7 3/8, clean, solid, un-nibbled and ready to tighten up a little and wear to the races.

Pretty happy with my new projects for $8.61 each. What do you guys think?

Bloody well done! :thumb:
I anticipate the results with great excitement!

:gossip:...and lemme know if that Pilgrim ever needs a home.

 

[splintercellsz]

:eusa_clap

 

[alanfgag]

"nice" 52 block with flange.

Interesting Vita-Felt with self ribbon... a little nibbled and not many nibbles.

 

[alanfgag]

Wrong direction--try Corsets and Girdles

Perhaps there's a Cranium Crusher

maybe head Spanx?

 

[hatsRme]

This one must come with vaseline...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-50s...ultDomain_0&hash=item3cd14bd2b9#ht_453wt_1164

 

[Alive'n'Amplified]

DRAT!! I was bidding on this listing to win from my phone. Didn't even go through. An unbelievable hat, an unbelievable price, and an unbelievable circumstance. TOTAL TECH FAIL!!! :frusty:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Cav...-/181131016836?pt=US_Hats&hash=item2a2c3ffa84

 

[splintercellsz]

I meant to place a bid on that one before I left the house today, but I was thinking about other things at the time. Drats!

 

[Lefty]

Very nice Knox (15,20,40? - I can't read the designation), 7 1/4

 

[fedoracentric]

I am shocked at this one. A Whippet in a smaller size (7-1/8) went for almost $400 smackers!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370799992055&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBUAA:US:3160

Sheese.

 

[alanfgag]

No sale. Too much information, perhaps.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

No sale. Too much information, perhaps.

What hat?