Unusual Vintage Panama Weave

Rick Blaine · Sep 5, 2008

This is a Panama that belonged to Gen. Wm. Kunzig who was second in command to Gen. Omar Bradley during the D-Day invasion of Europe.

The General passed in May at age 98, the oldest living graduate of West Point. It is the only of my 50+ lids on which I have a solid provenance. But that is not why I am posting it here.

This hat has an unusual (to me) weave pattern in the crown's center.

It seems to grow from an initial thicker central braid or plait in a fashion I am unacquainted with. Has anyone else seen this or know how it is called?

You can see here the degree of oxidation that has occurred.

I don't think it is a particularly fine hat, but a nice one with a killer backstory. It had a ventilated gray leather band (from a local D.C. Gentleman's shop) that was fried as crisp as Sunday morning bacon, which is ok as it only just fits, the straw does sorta irritate my forehead tho' ... gonna have to do something about that prior to next spring, I suppose...

GWD · Sep 5, 2008

That is wild, I wonder if Panama Bob has seen anything like it. Cool looking hat though.

Panamabob · Sep 5, 2008

I've seen similar hats in Catacaos, Peru. I'm so busy with school, I barely have time to go to the places I need to go to in Ecuador, but maybe I can get down there to Peru to get some hats and take picture.

Rick Blaine · Sep 5, 2008

Thanks again!

I knew ya'll would come through!

Bruce Wayne · Sep 6, 2008

hey bob, could you block one like that?
thanx!!!
Charlie

Rick Blaine · Sep 6, 2008

One more

Lefty · Sep 6, 2008

The D-Day 2nd in command part is a secondary to the weave?

Though the weave is interesting, if you've got more hats with stories even close to as good as that one, regardless of how unsure the facts of those stories may be, post 'em and tell those stories! I don't even care if the hats are ordinary.

bolthead · Sep 6, 2008

Super Hat....

.....and like Lefty said, Great Story. :eusa_clap

I love the Crease in the other Panama as well, something I might even copy and put in one of my Vintage felts.

RBH · Sep 6, 2008

Rick Blaine said:

Sweet hats Rick!!!
But I love this one!!!

AlanC · Sep 6, 2008

Great hat!

Panamabob said:
I've seen similar hats in Catacaos, Peru. I'm so busy with school, I barely have time to go to the places I need to go to in Ecuador, but maybe I can get down there to Peru to get some hats and take picture.

Sounds like fun, Robert. Do you have any idea what those hats would sell for?

Lefty · Sep 6, 2008

Am I crazy, or is there only one hat pictured here? There are 2 responses talking about liking one hat more than another, but I'm under the impression that it's the same hat in a different setting. Is it me? [huh]

carter · Sep 6, 2008

Nice Panama!

That's a terrific backstory! Any information available from the sweatband or is it gone?

What are the crown height and the brim width?
I really like the look of the hat with a pugaree but it would look terrific with a grosgrain ribbon as well.

cookie · Sep 6, 2008

Gen Kunzig's Hat

I was of the view it was/is/may be a superb vintage Balibuntal or Parabuntal weave ex Phillipines.

I grabbed a pic also of one of his hats...maybe it is the same one?:

How about this 1930s French Leghorn?

Rick Blaine · Sep 6, 2008

Wow, Cookie!

cookie said:
I was of the view it was/is/may be a superb vintage Balibuntal or Parabuntal weave ex Phillipines.

I grabbed a pic also of one of his hats...maybe it is the same one?:

That is the very one Cookie, you smart cookie you! You can see the condition of the sweatband, eh? Sad.
So do you think it is something other than a conventional Panama in terms of material?
It is a 4 1/2" crown w/ a 2 5/8" brim and just as light as a butterfly's wing.

duggap · Sep 6, 2008

Rick, that hat looks like it might have been blocked in an optimo block at one time.[huh]

Panamabob · Sep 6, 2008

I had a customer send me photos of a sisol or buntal hat a few months ago. It wasn't this type of weave, though.

Also, I know Gary White has made me some hats with a similar block, and perhaps Art, too, so there are blocks out there with this crown.

cookie · Sep 6, 2008

Rick Blaine said:
That is the very one Cookie, you smart cookie you! You can see the condition of the sweatband, eh? Sad.
So do you think it is something other than a conventional Panama in terms of material?
It is a 4 1/2" crown w/ a 2 5/8" brim and just as light as a butterfly's wing.

http://www.hats-plus.com/detail.aspx?ID=383&Name=Mark-Parabuntal-Straw-Fedora http://www.levinehat.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=216 http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=8225 http://bencraft.com/product.php?pid=112&subcname=Tesi

http://hattalk.blogspot.com/2005/11/straw-typesa-straw-hat-is-not-only-sun.html

Bull Moose · Sep 10, 2008

Thats a great hat, and a cool story. A true piece of history.

Stoney · Sep 16, 2008

That really is a neat hat Rick. I've never seen another weave like it.
If I had one in my possession I would probably never wear it, but just keep it for historical purposes. Very cool.

Colby Jack · Sep 16, 2008

Rick does it again!...Bravo!!!!!!!!:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

Unusual Vintage Panama Weave

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