German & Austrian Hutmachers

[Chepstow]

Fantastic Steve, that is a splendid Melone. A bit to small for your head, but a marvelous collectible!

 

[mayserwegener]

Thanks! It's a 6 1/4 Point so about 59cm.

 

[mikespens]

Your a 1st class hat detective Steve. Congrats on another great find.

 

[Chepstow]

Sorry Steve, my mistake. I am glad that that beauty Melone get some noggin time! :cheers1:

 

[mayserwegener]

Mike, Thanks! You don't see many of these old ones with the original box.

Manfred, Yes it actually fits!

 

[TheDane]

That's a very beautiful find, Steve! What is going on in the top of the sweatband? Could you elaborate a bit on that stitching, please?

 

[mayserwegener]

Ole, Thanks! I think it might contain a light weight reed. It definitely keeps the top of the sweatband from touching the liner while creating an air cushion (self conforming? ). I have only seen JHS use this type of sweatband on stiff felts. Here is another example.

 

[ManofKent]

Steve a great find and a beautiful sweat

 

[TheDane]

Ole, Thanks! I think it might contain a light weight reed. It definitely keeps the top of the sweatband from touching the liner while creating an air cushion (self conforming? ). I have only seen JHS use this type of sweatband on stiff felts. Here is another example.

Very interesting, thanks! I guess, the reed makes it difficult to turn the sweat out - but beautiful it is, and probably effective too. Love the vent-perforation on the latest pic, btw.

 

[mayserwegener]

Richard, Thanks!

Ole, Thanks! I checked on the sweat I posted above and I am pretty sure it's a reed. Here is a photo of where it joins at the back.

 

[mayserwegener]

Richard, Thanks!

Ole, Thanks! I checked on the sweat I posted above and I pretty sure it's a reed. Here is a photo of where it joins at the back.

 

[TheDane]

Here is a photo of where it joins at the back.

Steve, how do you do that? I wasn't even wearing my tinfoil hat ... and yet you read my thoughts like an open book! Thanks a lot for sharing - and for being persistent in your help. Your person and knowledge are no doubt very valuable and appreciated assets to this community

 

[mayserwegener]

You get total credit for pointing it out. I don't believe I haven't seen this before so it might have been an exclusive to JHS stiff felt hats. I will have to do some checking. JHS pushed the overall flexibility (Flexible, Elastic) and light weight (Plume) aspects of their stiff felts.

Here is another one from a JHS Elastic Melone.

 

[TheDane]

That sounds even more interesting. I would very much appreciate if you would share your potential findings on the subject, please

 

[mayserwegener]

I found that C. G. Wilke also used similar sweatbands on some of their stiff felt models.

Also Brüder Böhm.

 

[TheDane]

Here is another one from a JHS Elastic Melone.

WoW! This is getting really interesting! I guess, "Elastic" refers to the fact that the leather will flex and conform better - but I wonder if the reed actually is flexible (lengthwise)?

 

[mayserwegener]

I think Elastic is related to the felt but it could have something to do with sweatband. I believe I only have one Elastic model. I have Flexible models without the double reed sweatband.

In general the JHS Melone are not as stiff as what you see from other makers. The feather weight ones like this Plume actually wear more like soft felt hats. This one doesn't have such a sweatband.

 

[Chepstow]

Interesting discussion about sweatbands, gentlemen!
Some very nice and unique sweatbands in your collection, Steve!

 

[Chepstow]

Luzena Cap arrived today. Very nice Cap, never worn. I guess it is old stock.
The Cap has no Label inside and so wie have no answer who made it. I guess it's the Lunzenauer Mützenfabrick Kern.
Look the Cap logo and the City Logo both are the same! I steamed the Cap and it has a nice shape now!
I think It's a 50s Cap!

City Logo

[/IMG]

Now the Cap Picture!

 

[Chepstow]

Some noggin Shots!

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