Peters Brothers

M Brown said:

I live in the N TX area and have been to the Peters Bros hat shop in FW several times. The store has been in operation since the early 1900's and, from what they've shared with me during my times there, they make the bulk of their earnings nowadays from large scale rodeo orders.

When the annual stock show comes around they have the contract to build all the hats for the season, and it's a lot of hats. So everything else gets put to the side so they can get all those hats made, which takes several months.

As for their custom hats, they use stock hat bodies that are sourced from a supplier, I suspect Winchester. And, like any other hat shop, they'll turn that body into whatever you want and sell you whatever grade of fur felt you prefer. Their prices are comparable to any other custom hat maker, but they do not make the felt on sight. They do, however, have 100+ year old hat molding equipment and the shop is a step back in time.

The shop only has two employees, which is the main reason, as far as I can see, that they are perpetually behind. And they pretty much run on Fort Worth Time...which is kinda like 2 hours for every 1 hour of normal time.
So if they tell you it's gonna take a week, it'll take 2. If they say it'll be ready in a month, that means 2.

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Rmccamey said:

Do they stock dress weight felts? The problem I have found with most "cowboy" hat shops is they specialize in the thick, heavy western weight felts but will get you a dress weight felt only if you buy at their exaggerated 100X western weight prices!

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Rmccamey said:

Do they stock dress weight felts? The problem I have found with most "cowboy" hat shops is they specialize in the thick, heavy western weight felts but will get you a dress weight felt only if you buy at their exaggerated 100X western weight prices!

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deadlyhandsome said:

After lots of going back and forth I placed an order for a Peters Bros Milan hemp hat. Very helpful over the phone, but disappointed that most of their Milan bodies are for stingy brims...that surprised me.

After some looking around for an XXL body with the dimensions I wanted the guy on the phone found one that will work. 3” brim, 6 1/2” open crown (very minimal taper) with a 1 1/2” wide pecan ribbon. Came to $175 with shipping with a 4-6 week expected delivery. I just hope that the quality issues from a couple years ago have been resolved...guess I’ll know in 4-6 weeks.

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Apparently Poppa Joe ordered a thousand each of 3 inch and 2 inch brim bodies, and they’ve been working through that inventory ever since 2004!

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jlee562 said:

Now that you mention it, it sparked a memory of a post from Michaelson, the head honcho of COW:

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deadlyhandsome said:

Is there really the demand for the 2” brim? Must be a market not represented here on TFL.

I originally asked if a 3 1/2” brim was possible and I was politely told that was not an option. He said they would be placing another order for Milan bodies for 2022 summer orders, but nothing more for 2021.

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deadlyhandsome said:

I placed my order for a Peters Bros. Milan on April 6th. I was quoted 4-6 weeks. I called today, June 17th, and asked for an update. The hat hasn’t shipped and they were unapologetic about it. It’s sad that I’ve actually gotten use to such poor customer service as it’s getting to be the norm. It’s as though they are doing me a favor letting me buy one of their hats. Can’t say I’m in a hurry to buy another Peters Bros. hat, but I still hope this Milan works out.

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Frunobulax said:

That's too bad, I've been looking forward to seeing it once it comes in. Do you know what individual you were dealing with?

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deadlyhandsome said:

My initial order and my follow up today were both with Brad.

Honestly, it’s not that delayed for a custom hat. I just don’t know why they don’t say 2-3 months if it’s going to be that long.

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Bill Hughes said:

I am 20 minutes from Peters Brothers. I would like to use them as my hatter but every experiance I've had has been similar. And honestly "custom quality" just wasn't there on the hats.

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deadlyhandsome said:

My hat arrived, a few weeks later than promised, but it has arrived.

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I was hoping for a bit more brim, but it’s an acceptable 2 3/4 inches wide. The crown is 5 1/8 inches at the front dip.

The Milan is nothing at all like my VS Milans. It’s also nothing like my vintage Dobbs, Bee Hats, or other vintage Milan hats. It’s not as stiff as the Stratton uniform Milan hats, but it’s closer to them then the others. It’s about what I was expecting. I also think it will soften up a bit with time and use.

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Bill Hughes said:

Brad Peters told me mine would soften up and it did.

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Tukwila said:

It's really a sharp looking hat, Brent. Seriously. I'm with you on the brim width, but what are you going to do? Sometimes you take what you can get and appreciate the outstanding parts over the acceptable parts. If that makes sense.

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