The Bowler or Derby Hat

[Hurricane Jack]

My new BCD just arrived from the Hattery & I'm real tempted to shape it up like the HOW Derby. I just rolled & held it by hand & it has a good look to it. But being the Spring season & a black hat, I got time to think on it.

 

[Steve1857]

Great looking CD, Jack. However, no matter how you roll or shape it, it will never be a Bowler or Derby.

My new BCD just arrived from the Hattery & I'm real tempted to shape it up like the HOW Derby. I just rolled & held it by hand & it has a good look to it. But being the Spring season & a black hat, I got time to think on it.

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[Hurricane Jack]

Great looking CD, Jack. However, no matter how you roll or shape it, it will never be a Bowler or Derby.

I know. I just really like the look of the HOW HAT, but not sure how I would like it on me. If I did it I may or may not change the ribbon but I wouldn't change the binding. So there's that. It will fit in with the run what you brung philosophy so present now.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

1941 -- The use of mercury in hatmaking was outlawed in the US, & replaced by hydrogen peroxide leading the way to much softer hats.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

@Steve1857 & others,

Good candidate for HOW Western Derby? What say you?

 

[Rmccamey]

Looks like a match to me, Jack.

@Steve1857 & others,

Good candidate for HOW Western Derby? What say you?

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[Mm25]

Looks good, Jack. A great series. I looked a long time before I found this; an old Resistol stage coach. I think I’ve shown it before , but it’s been a while.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Looks good, Jack. A great series. I looked a long time before I found this; an old Resistol stage coach. I think I’ve shown it before , but it’s been a while.
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Looks great Joe! I like everything about the hat & the pic.

 

[steur]

National Hat Co. 1913
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Fantastic series of ads, Dave. Thanks for posting these.

 

[steur]

1941 -- The use of mercury in hatmaking was outlawed in the US, & replaced by hydrogen peroxide leading the way to much softer hats.

Informative vlog by the Gentlemen's Gazette. They do have a genuine interest in hats and seem to be willing to dig a little deeper than the average youtuber. I doubt though if the use of hydrogen peroxide as opposed to the mercury nitrate solution had any impact on the stiffness of the felt.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Looks good, Jack. A great series. I looked a long time before I found this; an old Resistol stage coach. I think I’ve shown it before , but it’s been a while.
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Joe, I really like this pic. I keep coming back to it. You remind me of Warren Beatty in McCabe and Mrs. Miller.

 

[Mm25]

Joe, I really like this pic. I keep coming back to it. You remind me of Warren Beatty in McCabe and Mrs. Miller.

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Cool. I’ll have to check it out. Don’t know that I’ve seen that one.

 

[mayserwegener]

Informative vlog by the Gentlemen's Gazette. They do have a genuine interest in hats and seem to be willing to dig a little deeper than the average youtuber. I doubt though if the use of hydrogen peroxide as opposed to the mercury nitrate solution had any impact on the stiffness of the felt.

Stefan, It was due to a fast shrinking market and Stiff Felt production was separate from Soft Felt production so too expensive to continue. I know in Germany there were still some nice Fur Felt Stiff Felts made post WWII but I don't think they lasted past the 1950s.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Cool. I’ll have to check it out. Don’t know that I’ve seen that one.

A Robert Altman film, with Julie Christie.

 

[Mean Eyed Matt]

P.&C. Habig Wien - black Melone/Bowler/Derby - pre war - 1930s?
Hat (felt, liner) in nice condition - just the sweat is worn & some stitches lost.
This one is a smaller size and therefore reserved for our friend Panos.
@ Randy & Steve: I will keep looking for larger Maysers too

 

[Hurricane Jack]

These guys are artisans & craftsmen whose trade allows them to pretty much live the lifestyle everyday, they're not reenactors. I always thought they had several things going from them.

 

[Steve1857]

Thanks Matt
Congrats to Panos, that Habig is a beauty.

P.&C. Habig Wien - black Melone/Bowler/Derby - pre war - 1930s?
Hat (felt, liner) in nice condition - just the sweat is worn & some stitches lost.
This one is a smaller size and therefore reserved for our friend Panos.
@ Randy & Steve: I will keep looking for larger Maysers too

 

[Mm25]

These guys are artisans & craftsmen whose trade allows them to pretty much live the lifestyle everyday, they're not reenactors. I always thought they had several things going from them.

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Man I wish I had time to grow a beard like that one!

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Man I wish I had time to grow a beard like that one!

Just let it grow & morph into whatever you like. I've gone from rounded to a box, & now to a Victorian taper but I could really use the help of a Victorian beardsmith.

 

[Rmccamey]

That is another sweet bowler. Thanks for looking out for us, Matt!

P.&C. Habig Wien - black Melone/Bowler/Derby - pre war - 1930s?
Hat (felt, liner) in nice condition - just the sweat is worn & some stitches lost.
This one is a smaller size and therefore reserved for our friend Panos.
@ Randy & Steve: I will keep looking for larger Maysers too