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Maclachlan Hats

Messages
10,584
Location
Boston area
Thanks. Only on photos here on the forum is several threads. So how does that work? Those notches let air flow under the sweatband in? Isn't the sweatband attached to the felt in the front?

Not as firmly attached against the felt as on the rest of the sweatband, (sides, back) theoretically providing more ventilation under the hat.
 

DaveProc

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,119
Location
Rhode Island
1910

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Messages
11,713
Joe, this was from 1910
So looks like they had a run as a combined company before they then split back into separate entities. I found this on the lounge....

He formed the S.A.G. Hat Company in 1904, and in 1909 Mr. McLachlan and Frank H. Lee formed a partnership under the name of the Lee-McLachlan Co., which continued until 1914, when the partnership was dissolved and H. McLachlan & Co.,Inc. was incorporated."
 

Rmccamey

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,862
Location
Central Texas
Sometimes it is hard to get excited about the next old hat we find. But, sometimes those happy accidents occur that make it all worthwhile. Several weeks ago, and for no other reason than it was Oktoberfest season, if you will, I did a quick search on Tyrolian hats. Assuming I would get thousands of pages of hits for bright green wool costume hats, I was surprised when the very first listing was what appeared to be a very nice, fedora-styled hat (with all the typical Bavarian accoutrements - a rope band, various pins, and the distinctive brush or gamsbart). When I clicked the link, I was then shocked to find this was a Mac Lachlan hat. Wow is right! While a specialty hat, no doubt, I am very pleased with this find.

Crown, 5 1/4 open.
Brim, 2 1/4 overwelt. The twin cord, rope band makes it look more narrow than it actually is. Based on the sellers pictures, I was convinced that it would be a 2 inch brim.

The felt is rough in comparison to the smooth finish most of us are accustomed to with vintage hats. It is, however, good quality and consistent with the Tyrolian style hat, in my opinion. This hat has much more taper than usually suits me, but with the higher crown and shallow crease, I have no issues with the hat riding the top of my head. The color is sage (or moss) - middle green with grey/brown undertones. The hat has no construction issues or damage I can find.

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buler

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,380
Location
Wisconsin
Interesting... I never realized Lee and MacLachlan were one company. I knew they were both in same city. Also interesting that both companies did a lot of private label work as well. Any idea when this was they combined?

They were not the same company. The McLachlan that was with Lee was Harry McLachlan. The MacLachlan company that this thread is for was Harry's brother George. Different company.

B
 

TheOldFashioned

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,179
Location
The Great Lakes
Beaver Twenty:
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Crown5-9/16" (open)
Brim2-5/8" with 1/4" felted welt edge
Ribbon1-11/16"
Weight135g

All around an incredible hat, as often is the case with Mac Lachlan. Extremely dense felt as evidenced with the 135g weight, this hat has a noticeable heft to it. Other features include the felted welt (Cavanagh) edge, Air-Vac venting, and tartan lining which is the cherry on the top. Heckuva hat for $20.
 

Rmccamey

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,862
Location
Central Texas
Another mighty fine Mac!

Beaver Twenty:
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Crown5-9/16" (open)
Brim2-5/8" with 1/4" felted welt edge
Ribbon1-11/16"
Weight135g

All around an incredible hat, as often is the case with Mac Lachlan. Extremely dense felt as evidenced with the 135g weight, this hat has a noticeable heft to it. Other features include the felted welt (Cavanagh) edge, Air-Vac venting, and tartan lining which is the cherry on the top. Heckuva hat for $20.
 

Mighty44

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,008
Beaver Twenty:
View attachment 577515 View attachment 577516 View attachment 577517 View attachment 577518 View attachment 577519 View attachment 577520 View attachment 577521 View attachment 577522 View attachment 577523

Crown5-9/16" (open)
Brim2-5/8" with 1/4" felted welt edge
Ribbon1-11/16"
Weight135g

All around an incredible hat, as often is the case with Mac Lachlan. Extremely dense felt as evidenced with the 135g weight, this hat has a noticeable heft to it. Other features include the felted welt (Cavanagh) edge, Air-Vac venting, and tartan lining which is the cherry on the top. Heckuva hat for $20.
A beauty! I feel like I’ve seen a disproportionate amount of hats from Johnstown on the FL over the years for some reason.
 

MikeinRome

One Too Many
Messages
1,016
Mac Lachlan fedora, 2 1/2 inch Cavanagh brim and 6 inch open crown. The liner is the only thing that identifies this as a Mac Lachlan hat, but the liner is sewn into the hat in the manner of an original liner, so I don't doubt it's a Mac. Plus the felt is very nice and soft with a slight velour or Peluche feel. Have no idea what the price or quality level is, but it feels as good or better than other brands of hats of mine priced at $20 during this era. This hat sold in July on eBay to a Lounge member who resold it on eBay this past weekend. The last photo is of the July eBay ad. I don't think the hat dates later than early 50's, if not earlier.
 

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