German & Austrian Hutmachers

[Chepstow]

You should open a hat Museum - I think you are the right Man for this Project! [emoji1]


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[mayserwegener]

Manfred, Is Füfslingen a foot sock? Thanks!

I should take over the Bad Homburg Hat museum but I would have to get a PHD in Museum Studies and I would have to become fluent in German! Actual knowledge of the German hat industry is secondary.

 

[Chepstow]

You are right Steve! Füßlinge. are foot socks for the German Wehrmacht/Army - Nice they made them with Rabbit fur for a warm feeling!


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[mayserwegener]

Manfred, Thanks for the confirmation. I wonder if anyone is making fur felt socks today? I will have to do some searching.

 

[Chepstow]

[emoji1303]


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[hatophile]

Perry, that's a wonderful example of a Southern Bavarian kuh-junge hut. Sehr schön!

Ya, danke Ole!

 

[KY Crusader]

Great Rockel Book and a good Story, Steve!

Cusader, If you have any problem with Shipment to US let ne know, maybe I can help!
You will find a lot of Mix Trachten hats in your Size in German EBay - also from Mayser and Wegener - also in Great Quality.


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Chepstow, thanks. I will start browsing German E-bay a little to see what's there. Good time to purchase from Europe, since the dollar is doing so well against the Euro. Maybe worth taking some risks.

 

[mayserwegener]

I visited Bahner Hatmachines of Weikersheim, Germany (the only hat machine company left on the planet) back in January 2016. It was a quick visit so I hope to return in the future. I learned much from Andreas Bahner (Managing Director) about the current state of the Hat & Hat Felt industries. Bahner Hatmachines roots are in Neutitschein, Austria (today Nový Jičín, Czech Republic) location of Johann Hückel´s Söhne, Anton Peschel and Brüder Böhm factories. Andreas and his mother (who also works for the company) were gracious hosts. Send me a PM if you are interested in learning more.

Bahner Hatmachines

http://www.hatmachines.com/default.asp?lg=gb

 

[TheDane]

Please contact me when you go back to visit

 

[KY Crusader]

the only hat machine company left on the planet

Wow!

 

[KY Crusader]

Thanks! On my recent visit I actually purchased this Velour (sourced from FEPSA) hat at Zapf that cost $191.00 but I didn't have to pay shipping (carried back on airplane). I don't think you will find the same detail work (brim binding & ribbon/bow work) from HKR. I will post photos later today.

There is a custom maker in Cologne (Jürgen Eifler) that I visited a while ago but he also has very high prices. He also doesn't have the machinery that Zapf and HKR have which helps to produce a better hat.

http://www.hut-classic.com/

Wegener might also be worth checking out because they do make to order Homburg style hats. You may want to see what else they have available. I wanted to visit Wegener on my recent trip but I couldn't make it work.

There is also Lembert in Augsburg. They have the machines to make very high quality hats but their finishing (sweat band, liner, ribbon/bow) are suspect.

http://www.hutfabrik-lembert.de/huetefuerherren.html

I visited Lembert a few years ago and couldn't believe the number machines, wood blocks and flanges they had all in working order. The owner / production manager Christian Lembert (a very friendly person) has kept all the machines in working order. Truly amazing!

http://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com/index.php?/topic/13-kr-lembert-hutfabrik/#entry423

Factory video (You can see all the hat machines they have!)

I am also around 58cm. You can find 1950s and older German and Austrian soft felt city dress style hats in this size range but it takes a lot of searching to find them.

Didn't notice your reference and links to Lembert until now. Very interesting, especially the videos. Some of the old machinery is fascinating. I've been wanting to take a trip to Germany for some time now. I've spent a lot of time in Europe, but very little of it in Germany, despite the fact that I'm mostly of German heritage. But I can see now that when I do go, I'll have to work some of these hat shops/factories into my agenda.

 

[mayserwegener]

Lembert machine and block / flange wise are very impressive (all in what appears working order ). They are only using a very-very small percentage of what they have. Dieter (Dreispitz) can attest because we toured the factory together. It was like going back in time. I would check out my site because there is bunch of related information.

 

[KY Crusader]

I would check out my site because there is bunch of related information.

Yes: Your site is very informative, but I've only scratched the surface

 

[mayserwegener]

Thanks! Lembert actually produced their own felt (specializing in Velour) but I can't recall when the factory (also near Augsburg) closed. I have some Lembert related information that I need to translate and post.

 

[Chepstow]

Amazing photos Steve - Thank you for the link! I've enjoyed it.


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[mayserwegener]

Manfred, Thanks!

 

[KY Crusader]

Amazing photos Steve - Thank you for the link! I've enjoyed it.


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Yes! I enjoy any info regarding the the few remaining hat manufactures in the Old Country.

 

[RJR]

Yes! I enjoy any info regarding the the few remaining hat manufactures in the Old Country.

+1

 

[Fastuni]

German "Wegener" grey fur felt, bound-edge snapbrim in XXL size (63 cm!):

Offered at the Classifieds... it is unfortunately way too large for me.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/63-cm-xxl-vtg-german-wegener-grey-fedora-hat.86154/

 

[mayserwegener]

Wow that is a large size. I think this one is 1970s or later.