VintageEveryday
A-List Customer
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- 383
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- Woodside, NY
-
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"Uncontested - The Champ"
- Thread starter bolthead
- Start date
Bill Hughes
My Mail is Forwarded Here
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- 3,126
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- North Texas
I believe it would be 50s - 60s timeframe.
AbbaDatDeHat
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 8,645
I’m with Bill.
I must say that’s quite a stunner!
Very very nice contrast and proportions.
B
VintageEveryday
A-List Customer
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- 383
- Location
- Woodside, NY
Thanks. As far as I can tell from this thread, it's maybe 1950-1954 ish. The older ones (I was originally hoping it was late 40s) had more colorful linings sans the plastic. But I don't know the model... The label is blank. There's also a small stamp on the interior of the lining: DOW,7 1 2. Obviously that's the size but I don't know what DOW is. This is either a Diplomat, a Captain or a Dash.
VintageEveryday
A-List Customer
- Messages
- 383
- Location
- Woodside, NY
How do you date your hats??(darn 10 photo limit)
apologies for the lack of credit on this one
VintageEveryday
A-List Customer
- Messages
- 383
- Location
- Woodside, NY
That lining looks mid 50s.I just bought this Champ today at an antique shop. Its marked 6 7/8, but fits like a 7. My head is exactly 21 7/8 inches, so an exact 7 or large 6 7/8 would do the trick. The felt is in excellent condition, extreamly soft and pliable. The ribbon has some sweat staining so I might get it replaced by Optimo with a 2 or 2 1/8 inch ribbon of the same color. Based on the very small and even "I" stiching on the sweat band, and the fact that its reeded, I would date the hat to the early 40's, maybe a little before. It has a 2 3/8 inch brim which I find to be a perfect size for me. Ive been stepping away from stingy brims. It seems that lately the smallest brim that I will wear is a 2 inch. Here's some pics:
AbbaDatDeHat
I'll Lock Up
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- 8,645
You are looking at posts from about 8 yrs ago. Think those folks are pretty much gone.
Bill’s timeframe seems pretty reasonable.
Nice hat. Enjoy
B
VintageEveryday
A-List Customer
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- Location
- Woodside, NY
I know. I wabted to be a Smartass. So at least we're in agreement that it's 50s. I say early
AbbaDatDeHat
I'll Lock Up
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- 8,645
Nah...you weren't being that. It’s a great way to revive a thread. Thanks man.
B
VintageEveryday
A-List Customer
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- 383
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- Woodside, NY
I just got the hat, figured there's gotta be a thread on it. I still don't know how to pinpoint it to an exact year though
AbbaDatDeHat
I'll Lock Up
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- 8,645
We’d all like exact year, but generally settle for decade unless some unique identifier like sales slip or Happy Birthday Dear card is included.
Imho you can’t do much better than this one Bill posted. Your’s is right there with it. Imho
Be well. Bowen
VintageEveryday
A-List Customer
- Messages
- 383
- Location
- Woodside, NY
If it's late 40s, it's probably very late 40s. Though the original seller says the sweatband is identical to one on here dated to the early 40s. It's the one I commented on earlier and noted the lining looks 50s, because the lining which is the same as mine has a usually 50s era plastic covering. The 40s lining had the logo that was colorful. I don't know...I've seen similar sweats on 50s Champs in this thread
VintageEveryday
A-List Customer
- Messages
- 383
- Location
- Woodside, NY
I believe the late 40s date is correct .the lining must be a replacement because it a: wasn't stitched in and b: the hat band is darker than the brim trimming. It's faded considerably but noticable in the right light, and was more than likely the same as the one in this 1948 Diplomat ad, so this is more than likely a c.1947-1951 ish Diplomat based on that and the crown shape
Wyldkarma
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,805
- Location
- Austin, TX
According to this vintage Champ ad, The Champ Featherweight is "Not just ordinary fur felt - but made of KS fur." Anyone know what KS fur is? I wasn't able to find any reference on Dr. Google. 
Best guess on the age of this "new to me" hat below? 50's???
Best guess on the age of this "new to me" hat below? 50's???
Wyldkarma
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,805
- Location
- Austin, TX
My impressions so far about the Champ Featherweight. All around nice "tough" hat. It holds its shape pretty well. The flange curl at the back of the hat is amazingly resilient. This light blue color is very pleasing to the eye. The brim was heavily creased and wrinkled when it arrived so I brushed it off really well, steamed it, then had to run a steam iron along the rear flange to remove the heavy creases. As it dried the nice curl popped right back into place - minus the creases and wrinkles.
The "KS" felt is quite different than my similar size and weight Stetson Playboy. Both are from about the same time period, I believe, and both weigh in at 2.3 oz. (give or take a fraction). The Champ is more rough feeling and has a very slight stiffness to the felt where the Playboy is smooth, buttery soft, and feels like a much higher quality fur. I believe this Champ is more of an entry level / lower quality hat but it is in amazing shape for it's age and I'm very pleased with it so far.
Just my .2 cents.
Photo below of the Champ and Playboy side by side. (Champ on the right)
The "KS" felt is quite different than my similar size and weight Stetson Playboy. Both are from about the same time period, I believe, and both weigh in at 2.3 oz. (give or take a fraction). The Champ is more rough feeling and has a very slight stiffness to the felt where the Playboy is smooth, buttery soft, and feels like a much higher quality fur. I believe this Champ is more of an entry level / lower quality hat but it is in amazing shape for it's age and I'm very pleased with it so far.
Just my .2 cents.
Photo below of the Champ and Playboy side by side. (Champ on the right)
- Messages
- 19,133
- Location
- Funkytown, USA
My impressions so far about the Champ Featherweight. All around nice "tough" hat. It holds its shape pretty well. The flange curl at the back of the hat is amazingly resilient. This light blue color is very pleasing to the eye. The brim was heavily creased and wrinkled when it arrived so I brushed it off really well, steamed it, then had to run a steam iron along the rear flange to remove the heavy creases. As it dried the nice curl popped right back into place - minus the creases and wrinkles.
The "KS" felt is quite different than my similar size and weight Stetson Playboy. Both are from about the same time period, I believe, and both weigh in at 2.3 oz. (give or take a fraction). The Champ is more rough feeling and has a very slight stiffness to the felt where the Playboy is smooth, buttery soft, and feels like a much higher quality fur. I believe this Champ is more of an entry level / lower quality hat but it is in amazing shape for it's age and I'm very pleased with it so far.
Just my .2 cents.
Photo below of the Champ and Playboy side by side. (Champ on the right)
View attachment 131756
Champ, by it's very nature, were marketed as affordable, lower priced hats. While their quality and construction are better than today, they were, for the most part, a lower end hat.
M Hatman
I'll Lock Up
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- 4,364
Plus 1 BUT still very nice hats.......ESPECIALLY as compared with today's offerings!
- Messages
- 19,133
- Location
- Funkytown, USA
M Hatman
I'll Lock Up
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- 4,364
- Messages
- 19,133
- Location
- Funkytown, USA
It is....I was AGREEING with you!!!
M
I was just confused by the "BUT" in all caps, which would signify you were taking exception with what was said. But I prefer agreement, as it saves me from the effort of releasing the hounds. [emoji4]
Sent directly from my mind to yours.
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