Wind Cords- Elasticated or Non-?

[BellyTank]

I was just having a conversation about wind cords/trolleys and my experience seems to differ from others-

I have only experienced non-elasticated cords on vintage hats but others seem to have seen sheathed elasticated cord. The only type I have seen on old hats are a Rayon chain-knit cord of about 1-1.5mm, that's around 1/32". I have however seen polyester/'whatever' sheathed elastic cord on new hats- the functioning and dummy types...

What is the consensus on vintage wind trolley materials?

What do we know?

B
T

 

[Matt Deckard]

I like the elastics myself... there have been scenes in movies where Harpo Marx and even one where Buster Keaton uses elastic cords from their hats to drop the hat and pull it back into their hand.

 

[BellyTank]

OK, Cool. there's one...

B
T

 

[besdor]

Very few companies use wind cords today . They are hard to find . Mostly you will see them on the imported hats such as Borsalnio and Cervo . Most people cut them off as they have no idea what they are .

 

[BellyTank]

I know-

B
T

 

[Brad Bowers]

My vintage hats are all non-elasticized. Since I have no experience with the elastic ones, I can't really comment on them. I do like them on hats. They add a classy touch, and they are functional.

Brad

 

[Michaelson]

Well, at least the old ones are. I've told this story before, but it can bear retelling....

I was demonstrating to my wife what the cord was for on my Borsalino. I held the end of the cord with one hand, and dropped my hat from the other. The hat hit the floor, and I was standing there with the cord still hanging from my other hand. My wife just looked at me standing there with the broken cord, and said, 'That's nice, dear.", then walked out of the room. [huh]

The new ones aren't attached to well, so don't trust them, unless they've been installed by a hat maker like Art or Steve.

Regards! Michaelson