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redhawks2

One of the Regulars
Messages
171
Location
Long Beach, CA
Here's a very nice, mostly olive gray hat that many of you probably saw on ebay. It's reportedly from the estate of Whitey Kaufman, a big band leader. Very soft felt. Not sure about the bash yet. I have so many diamond bashes that I may leave this one alone. I'll try to get a picture up that more accurately shows the color. It is practially new. There is no wear to the reeding and the felt is pristine. Fits me fine.
achamp009.jpg
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indycop

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,325
Location
Jacksonville, Florida
redhawks2 said:
Here's a very nice, mostly olive gray hat that many of you probably saw on ebay. It's reportedly from the estate of Whitey Kaufman, a big band leader. Very soft felt. Not sure about the bash yet. I have so many diamond bashes that I may leave this one alone. I'll try to get a picture up that more accurately shows the color. It is practially new. There is no wear to the reeding and the felt is pristine. Fits me fine.
achamp009.jpg
achamp004.jpg
achamp005.jpg
Beautiful!
 

Neil

A-List Customer
Messages
335
Location
Maryland
Glad you like it

I didn't. One man's mead and all that. . .
The reason I let it go for $100 shipped is that I found a pristine Optimo for sale on Ebay in 61, my size, and got it for $175. Meaning for another seventy-five bucks, I got what I consider the best hat you can buy. Same color, but, I don't know. . . . just such a different look. So everybody's happy, which is good.
And here it is. In perfect, and I mean unworn/perfect condition.

optibrown.jpg
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Roninjedi said:
Looklook!!! [jumps up and down like a little schoolgirl] I've wanted a decent Indy fedora for years and now, thanks to Neil and the Classifieds, I finally have one! It's a Federation IV Deluxe, no less! Mmmmm. Buttery felt!

4017215335_75638b6cdf.jpg


I found it on my doorstep as I was rushing out to work. The postman must've left it without knocking or while I was in the shower. At any rate, I paused, looked at the box trying to decide whether to open it right there or toss it inside on the couch for after work. Instead, I snatched the box and continued hurrying out to my car.

The size on this is 61cm. My head measures 61.5 and it's a long oval which means I really should be wearing a 62. The price was right, though, and I couldn't let it slip away. As I suspected the hat was tight when I put it on in the car. I drove to work with it, wore it in between incoming calls at work, and thought I noticed it loosening slightly during my shift. When I got home I folded up some cloth and put it on my head as a do-rag, steamed the outside of the hat to pop out the C-crease and soften the sides, and jammed it as far down on my head as I could. After a half-hour or so, I took off the rag and the hat fit almost as well as my size 62. It's on my head right now, a bit more snug than last night but still pretty good. I suspect I'm going to have to do a few more of these "training" sessions in order to convince the felt to permanently accept it's new size.

While I'm not overly concerned with Raiders screen accuracy, I tightened the front pinch and put in a center dent, for a more Indiana Jones look, like so...
4017977718_da2c26ea99.jpg


Maybe I'll change it back to a "C" since that center dent is touching the top of my head right now. Perhaps I can join Admiral Goose's fleet?

Mediocre picture but it shows the top view of the center dent.
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Here's that awesome mid-brown in the late afternoon sunlight.
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I'm like a kid with a new toy. I'll probably be wearing this hat constantly for the next week or so. It's going to get sweated up and dusty over time, which should be just right for both an Indy hat and an Akubra. :)
 

Neil

A-List Customer
Messages
335
Location
Maryland
Also . . .

Snagged this puppy.
Also Optimo, in khaki, with apple-green ribbon, in very lightweight felt. And for a fraction of the Optimo asking price. And seemingly unworn.
I love paying fractions.
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Tom-n-Perris

Vendor
Messages
471
Location
Moreno Valley, California
mayserwegener said:
Very nice find. Is the rope loop at the back retractable? I am thinking very early sixties. If you get a chance please post the pics in the German and Austrian thread.

First of all thank you BobC, Mr Paladin and Indycop for you kind comments.
Mayserwegener the small loop in the back of the sweat band is only retractable if I manually pull in the excess from behind the sweat band. I will also put some pictures on the German and Austrian thread.
 

rlk

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,100
Location
Evanston, IL
mayserwegener said:
That is one fine hat. The ribbon / felt color combo is fantastic. Is that considered dark blue?
Its a very dark blue. The photo is the right intensity/saturation but is a tiny bit redder in hue than in person(actually less purple-truer blue).
 

rlk

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,100
Location
Evanston, IL
Cervo Bantam-Crown restored

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Back from Optimo which had the block that popped it back into true form--a High Crown Bowler.
 

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