Crofut & Knapp Tales

deadlyhandsome said:

No disappointment here. Has a very early 20th century vibe with the tall crown and modest brim. The felt is spectacular as is the sweatband and liner. Hard to believe this hat is close to 100 years old! Heather charcoal grey with black ribbon.

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deadlyhandsome said:

And a couple more photos:

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hatsRme said:

Truly a special moment, Brent!!!! How cool is this hat!?!?!??? Your perseverance pays off.

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Daniele Tanto said:

Very beautiful. Very stylish. A truly interesting shape. A classic of the thirty

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deadlyhandsome said:

Thanks, Charlie. You’re able to understand how rare such a hat is in our size.

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deadlyhandsome said:

And a couple more photos:

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deadlyhandsome said:

I saw this hat on ebay and wondered if anyone here might take a stab at dating it. The $5 price tag makes me think it isn’t anything too recent.

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Blare said:

Crofut and Knapp - Coronet Fifteen

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Black Felt - 1 7/8 Black grosgrain ribbon
4 7/8 crown at highest point as bashed
1 1/2 brim with Cavanagh edge
Wind Trolley

Here is a much later entry.. my guess would be late 60’s early 70s. Has the ‘a product of Hat Corporation of America” branding on the sweat. I have a couple straws from this era I believe have this marking as well. It is the shortest brimmed hat I have in my collection at 1 1/2 inch. This hat may be short of brim.... but isn't short on features. Cavanagh edge...wind trolley and nearly 5 inch crown give it some “bells and whistles”.

inside... glued in liner... and a stamp inside the sweat. “Factory Reject”

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steur said:

Very nice,Joe. It seems to have fully recovered from being stuffed in that small shipping box.

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Rmccamey said:

Crofut &Knapp Palm Grade Knapp-Felt bowler from Wideman's, Stanford and Palo Alto.
5 1/2 crown.
2 brim.
1 ribbon, flared at the rear.

This one has seen some head time, based on the sweat stains on and under the band itself, but is overall in very good condition. The felt has a smoother (not better) feel than my Kaller (Swiss?) and Mauerer (Vienna) and comparable to my 1930 Knox bowler.

Here is what I think I know. All you C&K experts, please jump in. The taped sweatband makes it pre-41. The Duplicate Code (sticker) was started sometime 1917-1922. This tag is partially hand written. Many C&K tags had what I call "beveled edges" on each corner. I found a C&K tag on a 30's fedora that was a perfect rectangle, without the beveled corners. Some years back, Alan @alanfgag posted a bowler with a tag that has the same format/layout as this one and the consensus was that his is/was a 20s or 30's model. I have found precious little on "Palm Grade". My best guess on dating is late-20's to mid-30s.

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Rmccamey said:

Crofut &Knapp Palm Grade Knapp-Felt bowler from Wideman's, Stanford and Palo Alto.
5 1/2 crown.
2 brim.
1 ribbon, flared at the rear.

This one has seen some head time, based on the sweat stains on and under the band itself, but is overall in very good condition. The felt has a smoother (not better) feel than my Kaller (Swiss?) and Mauerer (Vienna) and comparable to my 1930 Knox bowler.

Here is what I think I know. All you C&K experts, please jump in. The taped sweatband makes it pre-41. The Duplicate Code (sticker) was started sometime 1917-1922. This tag is partially hand written. Many C&K tags had what I call "beveled edges" on each corner. I found a C&K tag on a 30's fedora that was a perfect rectangle, without the beveled corners. Some years back, Alan @alanfgag posted a bowler with a tag that has the same format/layout as this one and the consensus was that his is/was a 20s or 30's model. I have found precious little on "Palm Grade". My best guess on dating is late-20's to mid-30s.

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Rmccamey said:

Crofut &Knapp Palm Grade Knapp-Felt bowler from Wideman's, Stanford and Palo Alto.
5 1/2 crown.
2 brim.
1 ribbon, flared at the rear.

This one has seen some head time, based on the sweat stains on and under the band itself, but is overall in very good condition. The felt has a smoother (not better) feel than my Kaller (Swiss?) and Mauerer (Vienna) and comparable to my 1930 Knox bowler.

Here is what I think I know. All you C&K experts, please jump in. The taped sweatband makes it pre-41. The Duplicate Code (sticker) was started sometime 1917-1922. This tag is partially hand written. Many C&K tags had what I call "beveled edges" on each corner. I found a C&K tag on a 30's fedora that was a perfect rectangle, without the beveled corners. Some years back, Alan @alanfgag posted a bowler with a tag that has the same format/layout as this one and the consensus was that his is/was a 20s or 30's model. I have found precious little on "Palm Grade". My best guess on dating is late-20's to mid-30s.

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alanfgag said:

Great addition... thanks for posting.

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mayserwegener said:

Randy, Great looking Derby! Congrats on the find!

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