German & Austrian Hutmachers

[Rabbit]

I would be interested to hear more about the current Wegener situation. [/URL]

I would be interested, too.

Here's a side-by-side closeup of a vintage 1950s Borsalino, a vintage 1950s Resistol and a VS Art Fawcett custom hat together with the current production Borsalino model Film (bought in 2011). As you can see, the finish is very different. See here for more pics and info.







Keep in mind that the finish is only one part of the equation that makes the felt quality.

[Chepstow]

Rockel Echt Haar Homburg arrived! Lovely Hat, indeed. Nice the white sweatband!
The condition is very good, I would say little worn. No label inside. I think it's from the 50s, maybe earlier.

[Erich Johann]

mayserwegener, thanks for the information. I have already come across your forum -- which is what made me aware of Wegener in the first place I will definitely ask the Hutladen people if they have old stock, though I have some doubts (they only had that ONE Homburg to show me and told me they would have a bigger selection of felt hats when they'd get the fall/winter collections, so I guess they sell mostly [seasonal] hats from contemporary production). I came across an online newspaper article that stated that some Wegener production has been outsourced to Poland and, especially in the case of more "modern" headgear, Asia. I suggest that if you are interested to know if they have an in-house hatter (which I guess [or at least hope] they have if they put a handmade in Germany label in the lining), just shoot them a message via their website -- the response turnaround time was super fast.

Rabbit, many thanks for the links. I am aware that long-standing members on forums sometimes freak out when newbies ask questions that, to the old hands, either seem too simple or already answered a long time ago. A forum's search function is a useful tool for research, and I like to do the latter, but if you are "new" to a certain topic, a lot of information is just too much to sort and to process effectively, and it is hard to search for certain things if you do not even know what to look for in the first place. I thereby appreciate your kind help in the form of those links, especially the one comparing the felt qualities of hats of different age and makes and most of all the thread that helps dating hats by general style features. I will keep the tapering issue in mind when looking at modern-day production hats! I guess, as in so many cases, it boils down to if one is willing to live with the compromises of modern-day clothing or to either go the route of the "real deal" (a.k.a. vintage hats in this case -- any leads on size 60 / 7 1/2 appreciated ) or the (also somehow compromised) custom route. To not steer off topic too much, I also appreciate any PMs.

Back to topic: When I get the chance, I will take some photos of a variety of hats in my parents' possession, among them some Tiroler/Jäger style hats (who would have thought that there are people around the world interested in German folklore-ish hats? Although there are a lot of people in the States who know more about e.g. German militaria than most German buffs ...), a fedora that I would like to see dated, and a type of hat that might not have shown up so far (I have not read this whole thread, though): a Schützenfest one.

Again, many thanks for the friendly reception!

[mayserwegener]

Erich, The info you found on Wegener is similar to what I heard from my friend. I think it is possible they still have some hats locally sourced or old stock. The hat below is a special model Wegner Velour made for my friends store in Augsburg. I think this was made in the early 2000s and still high quality workmanship. I will have to ask him about Mayser now that production has moved to Slovakia. It is unfortunate that everything is being out sourced. The next step is to close the business. Look forward to seeing photos of your family's hat collection. By the way what area do you live in Germany?

[mayserwegener]

Manfred, The Rockel Homburg is fantastic! I agree about the dating.

[Rabbit]

You're welcome, Erich. I live in Germany, too.
For your information, you can send and receive PMs once you have 15 posts.

Btw, I like your spelling style.


Manfred, that Rockel is really amazing. With the leather being so light-colored, how does the sweatband's front section handle skin contact?

[Chepstow]

Steve and Rabbit, thanks for the kind words! The sweatband looks good in the front section, no stains, he is not often worn. My guess!

[alanfgag]

very beautiful, Manfred... that white sweat is special.

[mikespens]

Nice snag again Manfred! I really want a German hat, the quality is obvious, even just in pictures.

[Chepstow]

Alan and Mike, thanks very much! Yes, indeed, a white Sweatband is very rare and a Rockel Homburger too! It's the first Homburger what I have seen from this brand!
Mike, you are right! Do it. Ebay Germany waits to you! Nice German Vintage Hats for peanuts.