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[belfastboy]

I'm near Wilmington, DE. I don't mind shipping...

I am west coast Canada. I think a good first step would be to contact Tim @Purebeaverhatsupply.com located in PA. He is in touch with a lot of hat makers on the east coast and may be able to direct you to someone close to you. $50 to $100 to replace the sweat band plus the cost of postage.

 

[belfastboy]

I am west coast Canada. I think a good first step would be to contact Tim @Purebeaverhatsupply.com located in PA. He is in touch with a lot of hat makers on the east coast and may be able to direct you to someone close to you. $50 to $100 to replace the sweat band plus the cost of postage.

Depending on the level of restoration you are seeking. It would not take too much more, seeing as how the sweat band has to come off, to give the hat a wash, reblock and reflange, clean up the liner a bit. The felt looks in wonderful condition.

 

[Delawareguy]

I am west coast Canada. I think a good first step would be to contact Tim @Purebeaverhatsupply.com located in PA. He is in touch with a lot of hat makers on the east coast and may be able to direct you to someone close to you. $50 to $100 to replace the sweat band plus the cost of postage.

Done! Thanks!!!

 

[belfastboy]

Done! Thanks!!!

If he doesn't come through drop me a note.

 

[Delawareguy]

If he doesn't come through drop me a note.

He sent me to what I hope will be the right guy!

 

[belfastboy]

He sent me to what I hope will be the right guy!

Close by, eastern seaboard?

 

[Dan718]

Is/Was you Federation IV a snap brim hat?
Mine had the brim turned up when I bought it, I steamed the front down as it kept popping back up anyway.
After spending a day getting rained on yesterday it’s decided it wants to turn up again, so I’m wondering if I should just let it and treat it as a regular fedora in that sense.

 

[jlee562]

Is/Was you Federation IV a snap brim hat?
Mine had the brim turned up when I bought it, I steamed the front down as it kept popping back up anyway.
After spending a day getting rained on yesterday it’s decided it wants to turn up again, so I’m wondering if I should just let it and treat it as a regular fedora in that sense.

Not a snap brim. The flange, such as it is on the Fed IV, is too shallow to be "snappy." The brim on the Fed IV is one of the reasons why it's not my favorite.

 

[Dan718]

Not a snap brim. The flange, such as it is on the Fed IV, is too shallow to be "snappy." The brim on the Fed IV is one of the reasons why it's not my favorite.

I’m finding I really like the crown height and shape but am hankering after the flexibility of a snap brim.

 

[Dan718]

Aside from open vs shaped crown and colour options, are there any tangible differences between the Akubra Campdraft and the RM Akubra that RM Williams sells?

The website says the RM has ventilation holes, but I don’t see them, which would be an advantage.

Also it’s unclear if the RM has a snap brim, as I’m pretty sure the Campdraft does.

Basically I’m leaning towards the Campdraft generally but if I could get it in brown then I would prefer that, and if the only real difference is colour availability then I might spring for an RM.

Edit: a few minutes with the search function and I think I’ve found the information I want. Campdraft wins aside from colour options.

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

Aside from open vs shaped crown and colour options, are there any tangible differences between the Akubra Campdraft and the RM Akubra that RM Williams sells?

The website says the RM has ventilation holes, but I don’t see them, which would be an advantage.

Also it’s unclear if the RM has a snap brim, as I’m pretty sure the Campdraft does.

Basically I’m leaning towards the Campdraft generally but if I could get it in brown then I would prefer that, and if the only real difference is colour availability then I might spring for an RM.

Edit: a few minutes with the search function and I think I’ve found the information I want. Campdraft wins aside from colour options.

Take your FED IV and steam the hell out of it right at the front brim break (the place where the crown turns into the brim). Then fold that front end up and pinch it until the felt sets. After that, you should be able to snap the brim up and down. Akubra felt has a lot of variability so I can't guarantee this will work, but it absolutely worked for my imperial felt Fed IV - now the brim snaps and down like it was made that way.

If it doesn't work and the brim turns out a bit wonky, just hold it over steam and it should return to its original flange.

 

[bmw1976]

I have a older Stetson flat-cap that I was hoping to narrow down or confirm the age of. I checked into Maurice L. Rothschild & Co, which appeared to be in business, mainly in the Chicago area, from 1905 to perhaps the early 70's. I was thinking that this might be anywhere from 1935 - 45ish based on the logo. The photos attached are the only markings I can find. There is nothing on the back of the size tag.

 

[carouselvic]

I have a older Stetson flat-cap that I was hoping to narrow down or confirm the age of. I checked into Maurice L. Rothschild & Co, which appeared to be in business, mainly in the Chicago area, from 1905 to perhaps the early 70's. I was thinking that this might be anywhere from 1935 - 45ish based on the logo. The photos attached are the only markings I can find. There is nothing on the back of the size tag.

I think the dates that you lay out are spot on for that cap.

 

[wsmontana]

I have an older Stetson flat-cap that I was hoping to narrow down or confirm the age of. I checked into Maurice L. Rothschild & Co, which appeared to be in business, mainly in the Chicago area, from 1905 to perhaps the early 70's. I was thinking that this might be anywhere from 1935 - 45ish based on the logo. The photos attached are the only markings I can find. There is nothing on the back of the size tag.

With a lot # 7405 I think this would date closer to your 1935 estimate.

 

[bmw1976]

With a lot # 7405 I think this would date closer to your 1935 estimate.

I think the dates that you lay out are spot on for that cap.

Thank you, both. Good eyes Montana, I couldn't barely make that out. I appreciate the help!

 

[Dan718]

Those who know the Japan hat scene: aside from mercari, Stetson Japan and Tokiyado, where are the best places to try and buy hats?
I’m considering getting hold of a whippet or stratoliner over the summer, but would prefer to try before I buy.

 

[The Shoe]

Those who know the Japan hat scene: aside from mercari, Stetson Japan and Tokiyado, where are the best places to try and buy hats?
I’m considering getting hold of a whippet or stratoliner over the summer, but would prefer to try before I buy.

I’ve made a couple of decent purchases on Mercari. I got a couple of Akubras at a steal, but generally find the decent hats to be way overpriced. Recently, I’ve seen Akubras posted for more than new plus shipping would cost me. I haven’t looked at Stetson Japan for some time, but when I did, again, way overpriced. More than buying through Stetson USA via a proxy and paying shipping. I don’t know your head shape, but Japanese heads tend to be a lot rounder than the more oval western heads. You’ll struggle to find a long oval hat here.
I’ve got all of my best hats through the classifieds on this site.

 

[Dan718]

I’ve made a couple of decent purchases on Mercari. I got a couple of Akubras at a steal, but generally find the decent hats to be way overpriced. Recently, I’ve seen Akubras posted for more than new plus shipping would cost me. I haven’t looked at Stetson Japan for some time, but when I did, again, way overpriced. More than buying through Stetson USA via a proxy and paying shipping. I don’t know your head shape, but Japanese heads tend to be a lot rounder than the more oval western heads. You’ll struggle to find a long oval hat here.
I’ve got all of my best hats through the classifieds on this site.

Your experience matches mine really. I got my Borsalino for about 26,000 yen on Mercari which was pretty good, but overall it seems that there’s not much advantage to buying there than ordering from overseas. If I decide to spring for one I may well just go to a US vendor, unless I find a decent Mercari deal.

Also noted on Stetson Japan, for the same price as a fur felt in the US, the Japanese equivalent LS are wool felt. To get fur felt you have to pay about double, so undoubtedly cheaper to get someone to pick one up in the states and post it.

 

[MisplacedHillbilly]

OK first it's been quite awhile since I've been active. Looking for information on this hat that should be on my way. Searching here brings up some fedora posted here and there. Nothing western though. So my questions are, is it a quality hat, and what kind of fur blend should it be? Wool,rabbit,beaver? Or a mix, thanks , oh and I plan on restoring it, then maybe a brick crown, looks to have been a horseshoe before.

 

[The Shoe]

Right? I ordered these during the sale, too. From all appearances, it looks like they’ve registered a whole lot of hat deliveries, taken the money and done a runner. If that is the case, it’s a pretty ignominious way for a 250 year old business to end.

Good news on my Christys' purchase. The credit card company came through for me and I got my money back.