Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.
Messages
17,477
Location
Maryland
C.G. Wilke Velour (Guben, Germany), measures ~ 59cm, non-reeded sweatband, probably early 1930s. This one is in very good condition with all original parts. The Velour felt and finish are very high quality. Also a unique light green-blue silk liner. Been looking for one these in my size for a long time. The only other pre 1940 soft felt C.G. Wilke I have is a small size and in below average condition.

9605170261_cfab144382_b.jpg


9608415538_eca11bf216_b.jpg


9608426544_8a383da404_b.jpg


9606025196_553682c745_b.jpg


9602681599_b0708426f6_b.jpg
 
Last edited:

John Galt

Vendor
Messages
2,080
Location
Chico
Here's a new Flagship that arrived after some long delay due to an illness in Seller's family. I'm thinking 1940's based on "Stetson Royal Deluxe," block style, unprotected liner, unreeded sweat, stars logo & embroidery, but I don't know the real timeline for the Flagship. It's faded a bit, and needs a proper cleaning, but still a beauty when brushed, steamed & reshaped from dirty & badly squashed condition.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk 21377579486.436128.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk 21377579508.868719.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk 21377579530.786041.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk 21377579555.885449.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk 21377579583.085654.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk 21377579617.702351.jpg

Crown 7 5/8, Block 91A
 

John Galt

Vendor
Messages
2,080
Location
Chico
Great find Steve.

John - Nice find. Looking much better for a steam and shape.

Thanks. I put this on a size 7 (one size smaller than actual size) 7 5/8 tall open no flare block from the Langenberg factory, and it fit perfectly. When I took it off and steamed it, that old shape popped right out.

It feels like archeology sometimes, making these beaters look good and finding the old creases.
 

bowlerman

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,294
Location
South Dakota
That Miller is superb! I love those unreeded sweatbands. This morning I saw a really beautiful brown heather overwelt hat with an unreeded and beautifully textured sweatband, and a unique ribbon where the bow was a square with a diagnonal stitch and two buttons (the kind they use on button cords) sewn diagonally across the square. Alas, it was two sizes too small!

I did come across this, however. It's a Finchley, a brand I've never heard of, but beautifully made with perfect derby dimensions. The felt has a real softness to it, slightly more velvety than the 30s Mallory "Cravenette" derbies I've seen. The first picture looks blue, but indeed it is a black hat.

11oj.jpg

v3i.JPG

4e3s.jpg
 

Lefty

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,639
Location
O-HI-O
It arrived very much as I expected from the ebay photos. The moth divots described by the seller, but that I couldn't find in his photos, are visible around the base of the ribbon. There's also one in the top of the crown, and none of them is of any concern to me. All of the sweat stitching is tight and the leather is soft and supple.
DSCN0355_zpsddbd1697.jpg


DSCN0357_zpsbee9e75e.jpg


With a little steam, there's a quite respectable hat under here.

DSCN0366_zpscb8f38e7.jpg


more photos here
 

Tommy

One of the Regulars
Messages
284
Location
Pennsylvania USA
Dobbs Westward - probably mid 1980's vintage with cattleman setup. I'm closer to a 7-3/8, it is a little tight, but surprisingly not too bad. My questions to the experts here are: how can I stretch it a little? what's a simple way for me to clean it? how do I tie/correct position the wind thingy down? and after all that, is it easy enough for me to rebash to an open road format, or does all this stuff I wish to do mean sending it away somewhere? Help appreciated.



 

TheDane

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,670
Location
Copenhagen, Denmark
All beautiful hats, gentlemen! :eusa_clap

how can I stretch it a little? what's a simple way for me to clean it? how do I tie/correct position the wind thingy down? [...] is it easy enough for me to rebash to an open road format?

You can purchase a hat stretcher and stretch it a little at a time - very gently - till you have stretched it one size. That would be around 1/8" in each side of the stretcher - or 1/4" in circumference. Stretch a little and try it on, so you won't overstretch it.

To me it seems pretty clean. You can give it a brush. First against the nap (clockwise), and then with the nap (counter clockwise). Do you see any real spots - and if so, what do you think they are?

The type of wind trolley looks a little weird to me. Could you take a pic where it is unwound? I'd especially like to see the button. I think there should be a loop on one side of the button and the rest of the string on the other(?)

Most ORs you see is actually creased in cattleman's crease, but if you're asking if you can crease it in C-crown, diamond, or any other crease - the answer is "yes". You may need a little help from a steaming kettle, but it's quite easy and won't ruin the hat :)
 

Forum statistics

Threads
109,097
Messages
3,074,088
Members
54,091
Latest member
toptvsspala
Top