How common is this?

[Nick Charles]

I was looking for a hat and I found this, is it just out of shape or did they come open crown ala Charlie Chan on a regular basis?

 

[Matt Deckard]

Yes they used to come open crown

You would have it shaped at the shop when you purchased the hat, or you would shape it yourself.

You see pics from the old days of open crown hats in rows at shops in the 20's and 30's.

I think pre shaped crowns became more of a standard in the 40's and 50's.

Usually when i find a dead stock hat that has never been worn, it is unblocked like the one in that pic.

You may also notice how in movies with college kids, the pork pies are not very perfect, they are hand bashed into a porkpie shape and not created using a block. They look like the kid just bought the hat and shoved the crown down around his head.

 

[Andykev]

Open crown is great

Absolutely correct. I your vintage find is original "open crown" then you have a real gem

The hat should be soft an supple enought to take your hand crease (block) without steam. NICE FIND!