White Smithbuilt

[Bud-n-Texas]

I recently acquired this lid off of ebay, sold by a former lounger. There has been very little information about Smithbuilt here on the lounge, so I have been doing some investigation. Ultimately I went to the source for information on my new lid. I found out that Smithbuilt like so many other hat companies has been bought and sold several times. According to the compnay spokesman, seems as though my hat was made by the original company sometime in the seventies or earlier. The two inch sweat was used on their high end beaver felt hats. The model number was used by the original company prior to them actually giving their hats a name. The bashed crown is 4 3/4" and the brim is 3 1/2". The sweat as noted before is 2", the ribbon is 7/8' and the brim binding is 3/8". The felt is thin and supple and fits like a glove. Here are a few photos, I will post more when I finish cleaning it up and steam the diamond crown.

 

[CdnDandy]

A beauty from my home town. Good buy!

 

[AlanC]

"Original company" sounds like the right track. With a white hat you can be one of the good guys!

 

[Bud-n-Texas]

Gee Alan, I thought I was one of the original "good guys".

 

[bolthead]

Bud, that hat is so you.

 

[tandmark]

Howdy,

I'm liking that Smithbilt a lot, Bud!

I kinda recall that the Smithbilt guys mostly do cowboy hats. This one, despite the wide brim, doesn't look to me like it's got more than a little cowboy in it. Maybe it's the diamond crown that gives me that impression. Whatever the reason, I bet the result is that it will look nice & classy when you wear it. Can't wait for the photos.

One odd thing about this great hat is that the ribbon around the crown doesn't have a much different width than the ribbon that finishes the brim edge. If I were to design a hat like that, I'd instinctively want to give it a much wider ribbon.

All in all, when you won this one, you really made a great score!

Cheers,
Mark

 

[Razzman]

That is one sharp looking lid Bud! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[RBH]

WOW Bud!!!!
I love that hat. I looked at it a few time in my scan of the bay.
GLAD YOU GOT IT!!
:eusa_clap CANT WAIT FOR PHOTOS!!!!:eusa_clap

 

[deanglen]

Good buy , Bud! Very impressive lid!








dean

 

[Bud-n-Texas]

Howdy,

I'm liking that Smithbilt a lot, Bud!

I kinda recall that the Smithbilt guys mostly do cowboy hats. This one, despite the wide brim, doesn't look to me like it's got more than a little cowboy in it. Maybe it's the diamond crown that gives me that impression. Whatever the reason, I bet the result is that it will look nice & classy when you wear it. Can't wait for the photos.

One odd thing about this great hat is that the ribbon around the crown doesn't have a much different width than the ribbon that finishes the brim edge. If I were to design a hat like that, I'd instinctively want to give it a much wider ribbon.

All in all, when you won this one, you really made a great score!

Cheers,
Mark

Interestingly enough, the brim width as well as the crown height are identical to my black borso shown below. The Borso has been my go to hat for the past year, as I love the dimensions. I am still trying to figure out what I will pair the hat with. Being light colored and light weight, seems like a shoe-in for spring and summer. You are correct about Smithbuilt being known for Westerns, but they do offer dress hats as well and not just in white.

http://www.smithbilthats.com/dress-hats.htm

 

[Bud-n-Texas]

Bolt, Razz, Rusty, Dean, Alan and CdnDandy thanks for the kind words. I have gotten much more selective in the hats I pick up. There has to be something special about one to interest me. This one was so unique, I just couldn't pass it up.

 

[carter]

Bud, That is a beautiful hat. I'm looking forward to more photos once you get it cleaned and blocked. :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[Art Fawcett]

Good lookin hat Bud!! Smithbuilt made great hats ( original co.) and i think I still have one in a box somewhere. I just couldn't sell it with the rest...didn't have the heart to part with it.

 

[J.T.Marcus]

Bud, Absolutely beautiful! I can't believe how white it is, even after all these years. it's a rare gem, indeed!!! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[jimmy the lid]

Just stunning, Bud. It's a beauty! :eusa_clap

Cheers,
JtL

 

[besdor]

I believe that Smithbuilt is out of business. I spoke to someone in Canada a few years ago and was told that the factory was sold soon after that. They were in Calgary and made hats for the Canadian Mounted Police and to the western market in Canada.




Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[AlanC]

Gee Alan, I thought I was one of the original "good guys".

Well, of course!

 

[DOUGLAS]

Now, that is a cool lid!! Congrats:eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[Ande1964]

Hey... I'm not a "former lounger"!

Glad you like it, Bud. It was a size gamble for me, and it just didn't work out on my giant head. Can't wait to see it on you!

Anj

 

[Bud-n-Texas]

Hey ande, my apologies. I looked at Ande1963, even asked Art if he knew were you were. Long and short, glad you are still around. Once again thanks for a great hat, sorry it did not work out for you.