The Bowler or Derby Hat

[guitarmasta12]

No. That is how the small stitches popped in the first place. There is really no reason to turn the sweat inside out. You have already seen what is behind it.

Oh sometimes I just like to see the labels in my hats but I will do this with my chester not my hall and hall because I removed it's reed.

 

[mayserwegener]

On the stiff felt I posted the stitches popped when I removed folded paper (was being used as a spacer) that was behind the sweatband. I tried to be very careful but they still popped.

 

[guitarmasta12]

ahh..makes sense it would pop.

 

[mayserwegener]

I think it was more a case of thread dry rot. Regardless I would rather have the original sweatband. There aren't any modern sweatbands that would be a proper (only functional) replacement.

 

[mayserwegener]

C. G. Wilke Guben made for A. Breiter München, size 55cm, probably 1930s. This one is made of wool or a fur - wool blend. Interesting black sweatband.

 

[bombin]

Identifying a bowler hat?

I got a bowler hat off of ebay recently, and it's missing its sweatband and lining, but there is a remnant of a tag left - I was wondering if anyone could identify:

It looks like "19..." at the top, and "Of Nor--" "REGIS-" at bottom ("REGISTERED TRADEMARK", I assume).

Maybe "Of Norfolk"?

The hat itself has a sort of odd star shape punched into the top of the crown (hard to see, but here):

 

[Brad Bowers]

The only help we'll be able to give you is a rough idea on the date. The label remnant in your Derby is from the United Hatters of North America, a consolidated union of hat makers and hat finishers. The tag would date it to between 1896 and 1934. Other than that, there's no way of knowing which manufacturer made the hat without and other information. Some were union shops, and some weren't.

It's possible that there was a manufacturer known for that type of bow, as it's fairly atypical, but not completely unknown.

Brad

 

[bombin]

Many thanks, Brad. That dating information is very interesting, even if it doesn't identify particular manufacturer, as I had really no idea about the date. Does the star shape in the crown mean anything to you?

 

[Brad Bowers]

Many thanks, Brad. That dating information is very interesting, even if it doesn't identify particular manufacturer, as I had really no idea about the date. Does the star shape in the crown mean anything to you?

It's just one of many different ventilation patterns that manufacturers had available to them. I don't know that it's specific to any one maker.

Brad

 

[facade]

Can I join the club now?

Here's my Bowler, click the pictures for somewhat larger images.

 

[bombin]

....
It's possible that there was a manufacturer known for that type of bow, as it's fairly atypical, but not completely unknown...

Offhand, do you know of other examples of this bow style?

 

[bombin]

Has anyone here an Akubra bowler? ( They're listed here: http://www.yatesmenswear.com.au/buy/akubra-bowler-hat/AKU040 though not on the Akubra site - I emailed the former site and they confirm that they are made-to-order Akubra bowlers.)

 

[Brad Bowers]

Two C&K Derbies

Two fairly recent additions to my Derby collection from Crofut & Knapp, the second one very special! More here in the Crofut & Knapp Tales thread.

Mid- to late-1930s house-branded for Matthess in Hollywood:


1909-1914 Knapp-Felt for Dobbs & Co.:




Brad

 

[Brad Bowers]

Offhand, do you know of other examples of this bow style?

Not that I can specifically point out. I've seen them turn up in eBay searches before. I can't remember if there's on on the Lounge.

Brad

 

[bombin]

Here are my two bowler hats:

(an album of futher images is here)

The left is the vintage bowler I posted earlier, and the right is my wool bowler from Meyer Hats.

I'd like to change the brim of the vintage one to a deeper side curl.

 

[ofcoursemyhorse]

Not mine, it would unfortunately be far too small, but this is bar none one of the most unique bowlers i've come across on ebay.

 

[mayserwegener]

It's most likely German or Austrian. I haven't come across any special felt / finishes Melone in my size. They are very rare. Where was it listed? If you have a chance please post it in the German - Austrian thread.

 

[Brad Bowers]

That's fantastic, ofcoursemyhorse! I'd like to know more about the finish, too. Is it a gray heather felt, because that's what it looks like.

Brad

 

[ofcoursemyhorse]

Will do Mayser, I saw it listed on ebay germany. Bard, you are correct sir, it was listed a grey with special finish and a hard shell. Without a doubt one most awesome bowlers i've seen in a while. If it was anywhere near my size i'd be all over it.

 

[mayserwegener]

I am pretty sure Robert Hanisch was the shop that sold it. The building is gone but there are some old buildings around it that survived. My guess is that was made in Germany (probably right around Berlin since there were so many factories in the general area, Guben, ect.) and it has some Wool content. I can't see any company markings but that isn't unusual.