The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

[lauro13]

Just picked this up and it needs a tune up. If anybody can tell me what year they think it is that would be great. Also, why is the sweatband doing this and can it be fixed?

.

 

[mayserwegener]

The sweatband probably had something behind (for example newspaper) it to make it smaller. You can probable use some leather conditioner like Bick 4 and a Hatjack (just enough tension to make the sweat taught) to smooth it out.

It is tough to date Borsalinos. Can you post a photo of the paper label behind the sweatband? By the way nice hat!

 

[mikespens]

Agree with Steve Lauro, looks like someone tried to size down the sweat. Looks like a nice vintage borsy though, the unreeded and I'm guessing 2" wide sweatband would place it solidly in the 50's I'd guess.

 

[mayserwegener]

Could be 50s but not sure you can go by the sweatband. Borsalino used similar non-reeded sweatbands into the late 1970s. Also this one was sold out of Italy which also complicates the situation.

 

[Syne7]

My first vintage purchase - Borsalino

Figured that I would dive in and learn the hard way. Here is my first vintage purchase:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-40s...=&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

I'd appreciate any feedback on the hat or deal.

Jason

 

[splintercellsz]

Welcome to the lounge, Jason!

That is one NICE Borsy! When it arrives, be sure to post some photos in The Borsalino Brotherhood.

I'd say that is a great price for a great hat! Now that you have gone vintage, you have caught the plague that can only be cured by more hats!!!!

~Justin

 

[fedoralover]

That was a very good purchase. You got a great hat in what appears to be excellent condition. That era of borsalino's were fantastic. The vintage ones have fantastic felt and are put together with a lot of skill. A word of warning though, just don't think that a new borsalino will be of the same quality, they aren't.

fedoralover

 

[Syne7]

Thanks for the feedback. I live in Austin and thought about taking it to the Hat Box to be checked out and cleaned. They sold me my first hat, a black Stetson Inwood, which I am enjoying.

Does that seem advisable?

 

[-30-]

"A word of warning though, just don't think that a new borsalino will be of the same quality, they aren't."
QUOTE fedoralover.

I regrettably, I have to agree with you.


Regards,
-30-

 

[Blackthorn]

Figured that I would dive in and learn the hard way. Here is my first vintage purchase:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-40s...=&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

I'd appreciate any feedback on the hat or deal.

Jason

Great choice, Jason! If i'd seen it first...

 

[mikespens]

Steve is correct, I still suffer from premature speculation, a common condition of the out of practice hatophile.

 

[memphislawyer]

I tried on a Borsalino rain hat, a fedora, priced about $150 and it was fur felt but wow, so dang soft, but yet, the brim held. Alas, black and size 61. Anyone know which model it was (i forgot to note) and where I can go online and perhaps view it in brown and greys?

 

[Benzadmiral]

I tried on a Borsalino rain hat, a fedora, priced about $150 and it was fur felt but wow, so dang soft, but yet, the brim held. Alas, black and size 61. Anyone know which model it was (i forgot to note) and where I can go online and perhaps view it in brown and greys?

Perhaps here: http://www.bencrafthats.com/list.php?cattype=2&subcatid=4&subcname=Borsalino

Steven Bencraft is a member here, and a number of Loungers have bought hats, including Borsalinos, from him.

 

[tridentine]

That was a very good purchase. You got a great hat in what appears to be excellent condition. That era of borsalino's were fantastic. The vintage ones have fantastic felt and are put together with a lot of skill. A word of warning though, just don't think that a new borsalino will be of the same quality, they aren't.

fedoralover

Just to chime in a new poster on this forum, and please forgive me if I am off base, but I have a 70 old Borsalino [actually the one used by William Macys character in the film Pleasentville] and I also have a brand new Continental Homburg Borsalino from Bencraft, and the quality does not seem much different.

 

[lewisskimonster]

very nice!

 

[Rodkins]

Here are some dry bashes on the Borsalino "open road stingy" as suggested. I tried ironing the brim but had very little luck due to the edge binding limiting my ability.

I think the center dent looks most reasonable.

 

[Chepstow]

Mike, you are right! The center dent is the best for that hat!
I like the shorty!

 

[EggHead]

Mike, I like the first picture with the brim up.

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

Mike that is one crazy OR styled Borso. I see that it just doesn't look right I like how Josh tilted his to get it to work for him.
I know the felt must be really great the center dent is the best maybe with a cattleman's crease it could work just fine.

 

[rlk]

Big Baby-Blue Bunny Borsalino "Cow Boy"

XXXX Columbo

Most felt per $ at $6.02. Needs some brim work.