My first vintage Royal Stetson...

[Samsa]

I undoubtedly paid too much for this thing, but oh well.[huh] It's my first eBay hat, and my first Stetson. Thoughts?

In the last picture, above, you can see what looks like a stain... I'm not sure if I will have any luck getting it out. As of right now all I've done is steamed it and given it a center dent bash.

I didn't take a picture of it, but there's a price tag glued to the sweatband that reads $13.95. Along with the plastic covering the top of the liner and the circle around the Stetson logo I'm guessing the hat to be late 50s, early 60s... does that seem right?

 

[nulty]

You can't go wrong with a Royal Stetson...Nice first hat..I wear one very similar to it everyday...

As far as dating I'm inclined to say you might be right based on that bound edge but a few more pictures might help that story...

As long as it fits you and you like it enough to wear it when the mood strikes you, you'll sleep easier with what it cost.....

That stain looks indented into the felt?....My opinion is to soak some naptha into it then brush it off with a hat brush...Lots of good threads around concerning hat cleaning....

Most of all have fun....

 

[Dinerman]

It's a nice looking hat. If it were me, I'd put a pinch in the front.

 

[Stoney]

I have two similar ones, with a mode edge, rather than ribbon bound edge.
One gray and one dark brown. They are great hats to wear with front brim up or down depending on your mood. I agree with Dinerman, pinch it and you're there.

I wouldn't worry about the stain too much.. Hey it's old and has seen some use.

Enjoy

 

[Jerekson]

That's a good hat. And in a 7 1/2, no less!

Personally, the crown shape bothers me, though.

 

[Bogie]

In the last picture, above, you can see what looks like a stain...

The thing is, don't think of it as a stain, but as a well earned mark of character. <br>
Many a fine vintage hat will have a few of these well discerning marks, making it truely one of a kind.

Of course, the thing is to try and find one without too much uniqueness, but I think your case to be a snazzy Royal Stetson, with just a bit of distinction.

Either way, you wear it well.

 

[tonyb]

It looks better on your noggin than it does on its lonesome, or so I think. As to that stain -- I'd bet a hat sponge would lift it out. And if it doesn't, well, every old-hat fancier needs at least one hat sponge anyway.

 

[SinatraStyle]

Nice hat, Samsa.

I agree, I think it needs a pinch. From the pictures it looks like it used to have one.

I usually play with my hats for quite a while before they take on my own character. With the exception of an eBay-purchased straw I don't think I have a single hat that has retained its original bash...just one of the many things I love about hats.

 

[Lee Lynch]

That's a nice hat, Samsa!

 

[Samsa]

That's a good hat. And in a 7 1/2, no less!

Personally, the crown shape bothers me, though.

I'm not entirely happy with the crown shape, either. It came pretty beat up - I wish I had taken a "before" picture. I popped the crown out and applied liberal amounts of steam to it before bashing it, and there are still remnants of the old style (from what I could tell it was a teardrop with a pinch). It's pouring here in Michigan tonight, though, and I was out with it on for several minutes, and it got a soaking. I'm hoping the water, in addition to another steam treatment, will fix the crown shape.

 

[Feraud]

After a good rain soaking I tend to shape and leave my hats to dry. They retain their shape just fine.

 

[RBH]

Nice hat Samsa, pinch that dude and I say you got yourself a winner!

 

[MKL]

Great find. Nice!

 

[Matt Deckard]

And it's about time. Looks like a later model possibly from the 60's

 

[funneman]

I have almost the exact same hat..

...I love it. In fact I'm wearing it today. An excellent score. Wear it in good health.

 

[Feraud]

Just a reminder that all crowns do not need to be pinched!

 

[Samsa]

Thanks for the photos, Feraud.:eusa_clap I always thought there was something appealing about a stingy brim with a center dent and no pinch, which is why I didn't pinch this hat right away. That being said, the crown looked off due to its previous bash, so I put a pinch in it as it started to dry last night.