Pedigree Boater

[Dinerman]

This is something that's been in the basement for a while. It was a gift to my dad. It doesn't fit either of us, (size 6-7/8) but I thought I'd share.
It's got a nice looking weave.
how old do you think this is?

 

[Dinerman]

I'm not an expert when it comes to boaters, but I can't say ive seen that fine weave near the sweat on many. anybody else have this feature?

 

[John in Covina]

Cool boater!

Since it doesn't fit have you considered putting it up for sale to get it a new good home? You can use the proceedes to get one that does fit!

Just an idea,

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I reckon that it was made in the 1930s.


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[jake_fink]

I'm not an expert when it comes to boaters, but I can't say ive seen that fine weave near the sweat on many. anybody else have this feature?

Most boaters do have that fabric or elastic portion between the hat and the sweat. It's because the hat body itself is so stiff that it won't conform at all to a head, and that cloth segue allows for a more comfortable fit. Actually, it allows for a fit, period.

As to age, I think boaters are hard to figure, just because they were made with so little variation over such a long period of time. The cloth bit I've already mentioned, the ribbon puggaree, the weave and the brim width lead me to believe that it is probably 40s, but I'm no expert either. There might be a reorder ticket under the sweat that offers some information.

I'm sure, as John suggests, you could sell it either in the classifieds here or on that terrible auction site. I'd wait until spring for ebay though, since people tend apparently to shop for "instant gratification" on ebay, and buying a straw hat at this time of year would involve some delayed gratification, and hence a lower price.

 

[jake_fink]

I reckon that it was made in the 1930s.


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I defer to Marc.

 

[Dinerman]

see- towards the middle of the brim, it switches over from woven to a sewn braid.
the problem with the hat is that the sweatband's out. The stitching is gone, but the sweatband's very soft and looks like it could be sewn back in. The back isn't sewn, instead it's got a piece of paper glued to the underside holding this together. I've got that same feature on my stetson bowler and my very old borsalino.
The code 29679 is under the sweat.
It may very well go up in the classifieds.

 

[Dinerman]

the boater I actually wear is a much more modern one, but for 2 bucks at a yardsale, I can't complain. The boater is the one hat I can't get away with without full vintage dress. No boater and a t-shirt.