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Dating Vintage Stetsons by size tag

Dinerman

Super Moderator
Bartender
Messages
10,562
Location
Bozeman, MT
c. 1920s, maybe earlier as well - Sticker on the sweatband
IMG_2183.jpg


StetSelectSweatx2.jpg


_1266468746524.jpg


4378455474_ee7a70409a.jpg


SweatBow.jpg


P1010439.jpg


IMG_4440.jpg
 

Dinerman

Super Moderator
Bartender
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10,562
Location
Bozeman, MT
1930s for sure. Maybe late '20s as well.

Embossed gold foil over cardstock
Serif numbers

The top and bottom loop of the "8" are the same size.

IMG_1013.jpg

from a hat dating to 1933-1935

exc_7.jpg


Different design- not sure if it's the same foil- but it has a serif font. The angle of the 1 is different.

stetsonbowler003ir7.jpg

Bowler c.1935
 

Dinerman

Super Moderator
Bartender
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Location
Bozeman, MT
'30s- c.1942
Gold over cardstock. Non-embossed.
Note the numbers are sans serif and the one has an angled top.

IMG_2965.jpg

Hat c.1941

IMG_4309.jpg

Hat c.1935-37

DSCN3533.jpg


DSCN3104.jpg


J9EZCPZNDFAK-1.jpg


182725144_o.jpg


P1010414.jpg


IMG_4279.jpg
 

Dinerman

Super Moderator
Bartender
Messages
10,562
Location
Bozeman, MT
c.1942-late '50s/early1960s (depending on the hat). There do seem to be exceptions to this rule, with later appearing hats showing up with this tag from time to time.
Black lettering on manila cardstock.

Early '40s
DSC_0462_004.jpg


C. 1950
IMG_0844.jpg


Post 1952 hat. Note the lack of "Stetson"
IMG_4352.jpg


Early 1950s
IMG_0880.jpg


Mid-late '50s hat.
IMG_2773.jpg


'50s - Different font than the other one.
IMG_3025.jpg


late '50s (color liner crest)
122309_106.jpg
 
Messages
17,218
Location
Maryland
Very informative / interesting post! :eusa_clap

I have Mayser made Stetson that has a time stamp of 12/27/58 on the inside of the sweatband. I will take a photo to see how the size tag compares. I know it looks very similar to the circular ones you posted but has a cm size.
 

Feraud

Bartender
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17,190
Location
Hardlucksville, NY
Can we assume there could be decade crossover on tagging?

I *think* I have a Stetson with a round size tag stuck on the sweatband that is considered to be a middle to late 30s. Could the hat be earlier or an older tag used on this one?
 

carouselvic

I'll Lock Up
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4,903
Location
Kansas
Feraud said:
Can we assume there could be decade crossover on tagging?

I *think* I have a Stetson with a round size tag stuck on the sweatband that is considered to be a middle to late 30s. Could the hat be earlier or an older tag used on this one?

Got Photos? Sweatband seam, liner?
 

Dinerman

Super Moderator
Bartender
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10,562
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Bozeman, MT
Probably some kind of overlap.

Here's one, unfortunately no better pic, which doesn't seem to match any of the others. Looks like there's a ring within the tag itself, and that the Stetson text is at the bottom instead of at the top.

 

CRH

Call Me a Cab
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2,106
Location
West Branch, IA
Stetson Medalist Cuenca

I'm thinking '40s on this Stetson Panama. There appears to be the gold foil on the card stock.

Maybe it just landed on a later hat?

What do you all think?

hpim2332.jpg


hpim2334.jpg
 

Dinerman

Super Moderator
Bartender
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10,562
Location
Bozeman, MT
Definitely '40s- going by the sweatband marking having the stars in the left corner. It's hard to tell from the pictures, but if there's gold on the tag, c. 1942 or earlier. I'd say closer to '42.
 

AXL DEMOCRACY

One of the Regulars
Messages
105
Location
NYC
What size would a long oval 1/8 be?

Those are some really cool photos though. Very interesting to see all the changes over the years.
 

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