Bagged me a Nutria!

[fedoralover]

In about 8 years of collecting fur felt fedora's this is one I've yet to obtain until this week. I was surprised I got it so cheap, $74.00. Probably because the seller adverstised it as a size 6 1/4. Which of course was wrong, the tag said 1/4 which told me it was exactly my size, a 7 1/4.

It looks totally unshaped and worn very little if at all. Comes with the original box. I should get it this coming week. I'll post some pics when I get it. Until then here are the auction pics. By the way how many others here have Nutria felt hats? I know some of you do, how does the felt compare to the beaver and rabbit and hare felts?

Now the real question is, "should I get a wider ribbon on it or leave it as is?"

fedoralover

 

[Duck]

WOW!!!!

Nice score!! It looks like it isin great shape. Is the brim 3"? Be sure to post more pics when you get it!!

 

[rcinlv]

Wow!

You lucky (edited for content; suggested alternative: "So and So")! I wouldn't change the ribbon- just bash it up and have yourself the ultimate OR clone.:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

Cheers

RC

 

[John in Covina]

Score!

Congrats!!! I don't recall seeing or handling a Nutria hat ever!

That hat is a beauty and you should keep the Thin Ribbon, as this will shape up nicely like the Fedora bashed Open Roads. The thin ribbon with the the fedora bash and front pinch makes for a great hat. If you haven't looked at the threads on Open Roads or Thin Ribbons do the search and you see some great hats owned by Loungers. I like to describe the effect as an outdoorsy but classic and a classy look for men of action. scions of industry type of hat.

 

[jimmy the lid]

Good for you! That is quite a find. It will be interesting to hear your report on the felt once it is actually in your hands.

As far as the ribbon goes, I think it's a winner either way. The thin ribbon will make it retain a kind of OR feel. A wider ribbon with a fedora bash, though, would certainly look killer.

Congrats!

Cheers,
JtL

 

[fedoralover]

To be honest I don't know where on the quality level the Nutria fur sits. Judging by the box it comes in I'm guessing the hat is from the 60s, which either way still makes it a high quality hat by comparison to what Stetson makes today (no offense meant hatco). I do know that they are rare on ebay and especially rare to be in such great shape and in ones size.

If anyone else has any info on the Nutria fur that is actually factual and not hearsay or just made up I'd love to have you share it here.

regards fedoralover

 

[duggap]

That's it, FedoraLover, I am never speaking to you again. That is not just a great find, that is a great steal. Congradulations.:eusa_clap

 

[deanglen]

I see you have Dinerman's curse. It should happen to all of us. Very, very wonderful hat you have there. As for the ribbon, go for 3/8" grosgrain, if you switch it.

dean

 

[EricH]

Great find! I don't attribute it to your luck. It's persistence and hard work on your part.

Eric
(See you in the dark corners of Ebay)

 

[L HATLEY]

NUTRIA

Bash it, leave the thin ribbon on,weare it with a smile...:eusa_clap

 

[Jerekson]

Wow, that crown looks huge! You could have fun with a crown like that.

 

[Dinerman]

*drool*

 

[ideaguy]

great hat!! why not try both kinds of ribbon? Nutria is so soft & forgiving,
you could give the hat 2 different bashes,2different ribbons-
buy 1 get 1 free... congrats on a great score!:eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[DanielJones]

Leave the ribbon as is. Very nice looking lid. I know we had a discussion about nutria fur (possibly coming from the swamp rat of the same name ).

In any case you scored a nice looking lid at a fair price! Congratulations!!:eusa_clap Please post some pics when you get it and have it bashed to your liking.

Cheers!

Dan

 

[AlanC]

Excellent find! I can't wait to see it bashed.

 

[fedoralover]

I'm curious as to what the measurements will be on this hat as I never asked. Right now it looks like a Hoss Cartwright type of hat, but I've learned that most pics make the crowns look higher than they really are. We will see next week.

I've googled Nurtria fur felt and so far all I can find is that beaver and nutria fur are used in the higher quality hats.

fedoralover

 

[feltfan]

To be honest I don't know where on the quality level the Nutria fur sits.
(...)
If anyone else has any info on the Nutria fur that is actually factual and not hearsay or just made up I'd love to have you share it here.

How does the felt feel to you?
The "Nutria Quality" hat I have does not feel
fine and soft. It seems to me, from my one
data point, to be an ideal work hat felt. Strong
and although not easy to form into any bash,
once formed (or stretched), it complies better than most.

I would also like to learn more. While I find my Nutria
Quality Stetson to be made of tough stuff, the "Clear Nutria"
hat I have (admittedly decades older) is a very fine felt and
clearly meant to be both durable and a "dress" western hat.

In any event, congratulations. These don't come around
all that often. Particularly not in that condition.

 

[BellyTank]

Is "Nutria Quality" actually Nutria fur?
...or a process, or a finish.
Just a question.

B
T

 

[jimmy the lid]

The "Nutria Quality" hat I have does not feel
fine and soft. It seems to me, from my one
data point, to be an ideal work hat felt.

It's interesting that you say this, Feltfan, as I have noticed over time that a whole lot of auctions on eBay for state trooper hats, military hats, etc., etc. are "Nutria Quality."

FWIW, here is some info gleaned from Snyder's "Stetson Hats" book:

"Nutria" is the name given to fur from the "coypu" -- a South American aquatic rodent introduced into both the Gulf Coast and the Pacific Northwest in the United States. According to Snyder, nutria and beaver were the highest quality felts. Apparently, "side nutria" and "back nutria" were natural fur colors that were offered in Stetson western hats as early as 1901.


Cheers,
JtL

 

[Rick Blaine]

Horrid giant aquatic rats. Some of the kinfolk down on the bayou stew 'em up fer supper...MMMmmmmm:essen:
But they do make a nice hat, that is lovely...caint wait to see the bash, Fedoralover!