The Bowler or Derby Hat

[1mach1]

That is a nice one Scott!!

 

[Lt.hats]

Just received this Collins and Fairbanks Derby in the mail.

 

[Lt.hats]

I'll have to retake that first photo, you can't see the logo very well.

 

[ofcoursemyhorse]

Fantastic old bowler and in a hard to find size as well, congrats!

 

[mayserwegener]

+1

Yes rare to see one in that size. How does it fit? Looks like a good fit in the photos.

 

[Lt.hats]

It's a bit tight as its not a LO but it's definitely wearable right now, (right after a haircut) I'm not so sure it will fit as well in two weeks.

 

[Lt.hats]

Fantastic old bowler and in a hard to find size as well, congrats!

Thanks, I have found several over the last year, but finding a vintage derby size 7 5/8 in a long oval is my goal, especially one with a taller crown.

 

[1mach1]

Lewis and Thos. Saltz. Store in Washington DC, that closed in the 70s. My Dads friend had this one. Made by Churchill.

 

[mayserwegener]

Fantastic (but it's a Homburg)! I have / had a few hats sold by Lewis and Thos. Saltz.

 

[ofcoursemyhorse]

Couldnt be more happy with the both of them, the grey one is an older example looking like 30's or 40's.

The one in black cherry/maroon looks like 50/60's but is very well made, it's identical in blocking as a brown Herbert Johnson bowler I used to own.

 

[ofcoursemyhorse]

This one will be making its way stateside soon, its more of a carbon grey than the one I just posted.

 

[mayserwegener]

Great see the alternate colors. The lighter band and brim binding color on the Scott is really fantastic.

 

[hatsRme]

EVERYTHING about the Scott is Fantastic! Congrats, OCMH.

 

[bowlerman]

Oh man, that is a beaut!

Does anyone remember how to shape a vintage derby brim? As I recall it is not as simple as steam, but I've been looking at a lot of old photos where the sides are much higher than anything I've seen in person.

 

[bowlerman]

Oh my lord, I just saw that black cherry one. OCMH, that is awesome.

 

[Lt.hats]

OCMH, you have the best derbies. I am still trying to find even a single vintage derby in any color other than black (in my size). Good job!

 

[ofcoursemyhorse]

Thank you very kindly for the kind words gents, after seeing some of the beautiful old grey melones that Mayser owns i've been on the hunt for a grey bowler for a long time now. It really is amazing how rare it is to see other colors pop up from the standard black.

That black cherry one really is something else. It's even got kind of a long hair finish to it as well, John Steed on the old Avengers show wore one that was more than likely from the maker of this one.

And Bowlerman, I actually had to steam the brim of that first grey bowler I posted because both sides of the brim had been were bent upwards in different directions, it took a quite a bit of steam but it eventually shaped really easy.

 

[ofcoursemyhorse]

Been looking for one of these ever since I saw the photos of the one owned by Dreispitz.

 

[Joshbru3]

I was tempted to bid on it...but it was pretty small, so I didn't. I had been watching it for a while. It needs a good brushing and steaming, but after that it should polish up VERY nicely!

 

[ofcoursemyhorse]

I almost bid on it the first time it was listed as being 58-59 cm. It'll more than likely be a bit too small, but i'm just keeping my fingers that just perhaps they were off on their measurements again in my favor.