Lock & Co.

[Gillan]

I think it's older. It appears to be an open crown hat. Is this the case? What are the open crown and brim dimensions? The Lock & Co logo might give some clue but you would have to search (there isn't much info here on English hat companies). There is no company mark on the paper label so that makes me think the entire hat was sourced (Austrian / Czech / German?). I would recommend brushing it counter clockwise with a bit of steam. It's a longer napped Velour of a high quality.

Hi there.

Regarding the crown. I'm somewhat unsure. As it has light creasing to the front. There is a slight dip to the crown also. It is quite difficult to determine, as it may have been 'worn-in' over the years so to speak to look like a c crown. I can certainly open it up to look like a open crown with ease, if that helps. I did wonder if it was earlier. 1969 /1966 may be about right... usually the tag will feature some sort of date ref I've come to learn.

With regards to the material - I don't see any labels other than 'MS.' initials on the sweatband.

You say napped velour. Does this mean faux fur / synthetic ? Or are we still on with the real fur ( rabbit/hare) ... it feels like real fur...

Regards, Gil

 

[Gillan]

[QUOTE="It appears to be an open crown hat. Is this the case? What are the open crown and brim dimensions? .[/QUOTE]

Inner dimensions taken inside the hat are approx 20.5 cm x 17 cm - there is quite a bit of movement*

Inner dimensions inc brim approx 31cm x 35cm

Height of crown approx 13.5 cm

 

[Gillan]

Brim width - 7 cm approx

I've had a little play around with the hat and I'm able to mould the hat into a diamond crown - The front creasing would suggest it may have been worn this way. Unless my measurements say otherwise...

Regards, Gillan

 

[mayserwegener]

It's fur felt. Hare or a Hare - Rabbit blend. It's a Velour with longer nap (clipped hair).

I think it could be older than the 1960s. It has the look of a older hat. I would have a better idea if I had it in hand.

Is the head opening 20.5 cm front to back?

 

[Gillan]

It's fur felt. Hare or a Hare - Rabbit blend. It's a Velour with longer nap (clipped hair).

I think it could be older than the 1960s. It has the look of a older hat. I would have a better idea if I had it in hand.

Is the head opening 20.5 cm front to back?

Thanks for confirming .

That is correct . From forehead to back of head.

Lock & Co Hatters have since made a comment on the hat via my Instagram page . Hopefully I should know more in the near future . It may mean searching the archives. I will be in touch with my findings .

You can catch me on Instagram at both 'Gillan Bell' or retrovintagelove_ - where I preview other styles of hats before being sold on my EBay site .

All the best ., Gillan

 

[mayserwegener]

It will be interesting to see what they tell you. Sounds like it's around 58 - 59cm . A English size 7 would be 57cm but it could just be on the large size.

 

[Gillan]

It will be interesting to see what they tell you. Sounds like it's around 58 - 59cm . A English size 7 would be 57cm but it could just be on the large size.

I may have over estimated the internal sizing slightly . I would say it is pretty much true to size , if not a bit smaller . I wear a 59cm and there is little chance of it fitting . Not even with force .
I shall try again with a tape measure.

All the best . Gillan

 

[Bird Lives]

What does this tell me about my Lock & Co Sandown?

Does this mean the hat was made in spain? Or that the fur was sourced by Isesa? I heard Lock used a couple of places in Manchester to block many of their hats....I've no idea what this means but would love to....

The hat is wonderful though no matter what this does mean....It's soft, light and luxurious...holds a bash wonderfully and with a little steam I change the bash often....I have some older Borsos, one from the early '50's that has wonderful fur felt, but this Sandown is by far the most comfortable hat I own....

Thanks for any help in interpreting this ....

 

[Bird Lives]

Bump

 

[mayserwegener]

Based on the paper label I would say the entire hat was made by Isesa.

 

[Bird Lives]

Based on the paper label I would say the entire hat was made by Isesa.

Thanks 'MW'.....I have always been a fan of your knowledge.....

Wow...if thats the case, Isesa is making a great hat....Is Isesa the same as Fernandez y Roche, or is FyR just one of the labels Isesa is making hats for....

I'm wondering what the word "York" means....and also EA120....is that another type of sizing ?

I've emailed all this to Lock & Co....Hopefully they will decipher...But I'm thinking you are right about Isesa making the hat, because, for one thing, the tag is attached to the leather hat band which was the final part put on the hat...also we all know Lock doesn't make their men's dress hats anymore....So we need to know who is, because whoever is is doing a beautiful job...

I would like to know as much as I can get from this tag though....to relay it to others...Someone suggested the hat was made somewhere on the continent and finished in Manchester...I would like to find out....But there is no doubt, whoever did make this, they did a top $ job, and the attention to detail shows it...aswell as the quality of the fur-felt...all I can say is bravo...Lock & Co is still a force to be reckoned with....

 

[Bird Lives]

BTW, what do you guys think of Isesa Hatters and the product they are cuttrently manf...?
And I know Isesa is producing their own felt....whoelse is sourcing felt to the big $ Co's like Lock, Stetson etc.?

 

[Gillan]

The hat will be ending in around 3 hours or so via my eBay store should anyone care to want to buy.

I have estimated the size to be a medium 56-57 cm. Further details available via the links below.

Approx 14:50 P.M U.K TIME (GMT)

I am offering free U.K Next Day delivery with the sale.

Warm Regards, Gillan

- www.retrovintagelove.co.uk

or

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RARE-VINT...T-M-56-57cm-/301842284537?hash=item464733bff9

 

[Bird Lives]

Today I spoke with Lock & Co over the phone....I was trying to get the complete hat tag on my Sandown trilby deciphered...And they were glad to help...

First off, Isesa E is were they sourced the fur....He said, they can't source it in the UK so they buy the best fur they can from where ever they can so it may be different on several of the same type hats...The (EA 120) is the lot number for the furs....

So the fur was sourced from Isesa and the hat was made from start to finish in Manchester at their own facility. The word York on the second line is the color....I was thinking it had something to do with the city, }8^))....Wrong, simply the color followed by the size and lot number and serial number for the finished hat...

They also checked the serial number and told me when it was supplied to Brooks Bros. where my wife picked it up for me....

So there we have it....Thanks to @meyserwegener for getting back to me....He has always been a great help to so many of us...

PS...I think it's good to know that Lock & Co is still making a great hat....I read so many things, from not knowing to downright negative over the last decade regarding "new" Lock Hats...Well this one is new and it's really excellent...

 

[RJR]

Today I spoke with Lock & Co over the phone....I was trying to get the complete hat tag on my Sandown trilby deciphered...And they were glad to help...

First off, Isesa E is were they sourced the fur....He said, they can't source it in the UK so they buy the best fur they can from where ever they can so it may be different on several of the same type hats...The (EA 120) is the lot number for the furs....

So the fur was sourced from Isesa and the hat was made from start to finish in Manchester at their own facility. The word York on the second line is the color....I was thinking it had something to do with the city, }8^))....Wrong, simply the color followed by the size and lot number and serial number for the finished hat...

They also checked the serial number and told me when it was supplied to Brooks Bros. where my wife picked it up for me....

So there we have it....Thanks to @meyserwegener for getting back to me....He has always been a great help to so many of us...

PS...I think it's good to know that Lock & Co is still making a great hat....I read so many things, from not knowing to downright negative over the last decade regarding "new" Lock Hats...Well this one is new and it's really excellent...
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Interesting,thanks for the info.

 

[Mr. Pickett]

Just paid a visit to Lock and Co, along with Bates Hatters on Jermyn Street. Both times I thought I had died and gone to headware heaven.

Didn't buy anything though

 

[RJR]

Just paid a visit to Lock and Co, along with Bates Hatters on Jermyn Street. Both times I thought I had died and gone to headware heaven.

Didn't buy anything though

Sounds as though they have you "hooked" just a matter of when you're reeled in!

 

[Frunobulax]

Sounds as though they have you "hooked" just a matter of when you're reeled in!

 

[Mr. Pickett]

Oh definitely. Very worrying.

Much preferred Lock over Bates. Didn't bother going into Christy's.

I found the staff in Lock slightly more accomodating too, actually.

Will have to pay another visit come my next pay packet. Eep.

 

[Bird Lives]

Man, the service at Lock & Co. Is Legendary and I can see why!...I've been inquiring about my hat recently as you can see just a few posts above, and I just got an e-mail from Sue Simpson, Managing Director at Locks, telling me a little more about Sandowns in general and wishing me many years of enjoyment from their Sandown...Wow!