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Dating Your Hat (A Place to Discuss the Age of Your Vintage Hat)

Just Daniel

One Too Many
Messages
1,449
Yes, you’re point is right on. There was definitely overlap and bleeding over with Stetsons. It’s always good to restate that we’re usually giving a decent guess as to age.

I think other brands are less reliable for dating on the oil skin. HCA hats and Borsalino may have used liner protectors before and after - but some of the other guys might have better information there.



I’ve seen hats made well after 1952 that also used the onion skin liner protectors. It looks like they were years of overlap with the onion skin and the plastic both in use. That’s my guess anyway.
 
Thanks for the reply Louis!

My hat seems to be a bit of an oddball with the 60s/70s date tag but has a trolley cord and the older 5X roundel. Also, it has the appearance of an Open Road but has no such markings. I have not been able to find any other hats like it.

Bill
I have a decidedly 60's Open Road RD that has a wind cord....they even used them on their stingy Stetson Twenty's and Twenty-Fives in the 60's too......so not at all unusual. What is unusual but fits the price point of $40 is your 5X. Especially as a 7X was a $50 hat for a good many years.......up to and including the 60's. Your 5X fits the time frame fine.....
 
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wsmontana

A-List Customer
Messages
397
Location
Montana
I have a decidedly 60's Open Road RD that has a wind cord....they even used them on their stingy Stetson Twenty's and Twenty-Fives in the 60's too......so not at all unusual. What is unusual but fits the price point of $40 is your 5X. Especially as a 7X was a $50 hat for a good many years.......up to and including the 60's. Your 5X fits the time frame fine.....
Thanks for your reply and confirmation that this is likely a 60s hat. I really appreciate your input!

Bill
 

wsmontana

A-List Customer
Messages
397
Location
Montana
Looking for help dating this hat. Thanks!


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Just Daniel

One Too Many
Messages
1,449
Oh, the round marker on the top papear liner. Here is a thread on the lot numbers, the bit we know would also indicate a 30s hat.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/stetson-sweat-stamps-lot-xxxx.62350/page-17


Here is info on Stetson trademarks, including the roundel’s first use in commerce date:

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/stetson-intellectual-property-data.101506/


Thanks Daniel!

Is this the roundel on the sweatband or the liner?

I’m also trying to correlate the lot number 6685 to a date but nothing firm yet.

Bill
O
 
Last edited:

wsmontana

A-List Customer
Messages
397
Location
Montana
Oh, the round marker on the top papear liner. Here is I for on the lot numbers, the bit we know would also indicate a 30s hat.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/stetson-sweat-stamps-lot-xxxx.62350/page-17


Here is info on Stetson trademarks, including the roundel’s first use I. Commerce date:

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/stetson-intellectual-property-data.101506/



O

Thanks again, Daniel.

After more research I believe the 4 panel reorder sticker can also be a 1930s indicator.

Bill
 

VinceG

New in Town
Messages
1
Hi, Folks. I'm trying to ID the general age and model of a heavily worn beaver brimmed Stetson hat I came across. Can anyone help with some info based on its label and style? No plastic covering the label. Looks to be printed silk. No size tag. Black inner band, no writing on it
 

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Christopher Smith

New in Town
Messages
39
Hi everyone, purchased this vintage premier Knox fifth avenue homburg. Any idea on a possible time frame? Also I just recently moved to New York City and take a morning walk everyday to what used to be the Knox showroom and corporate offices on fifth right across from the New York Public Library. So it’s pretty cool having the hat and living so close to where it was possibly originally made or at least sold.
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Steve1857

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,352
Location
Denmark
Hi everyone, purchased this vintage premier Knox fifth avenue homburg. Any idea on a possible time frame? Also I just recently moved to New York City and take a morning walk everyday to what used to be the Knox showroom and corporate offices on fifth right across from the New York Public Library. So it’s pretty cool having the hat and living so close to where it was possibly originally made or at least sold.
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That is one great find, many congrats.
 
Messages
18,929
Location
Central California
Hi everyone, purchased this vintage premier Knox fifth avenue homburg. Any idea on a possible time frame? Also I just recently moved to New York City and take a morning walk everyday to what used to be the Knox showroom and corporate offices on fifth right across from the New York Public Library. So it’s pretty cool having the hat and living so close to where it was possibly originally made or at least sold.
View attachment 468253 View attachment 468254 View attachment 468256 View attachment 468257 View attachment 468258 View attachment 468259 View attachment 468260


Ahh, so you’re the one. You got a good deal on that hat. The seller is a well-respected member here; although, he doesn’t post much. It’s a great hat.
 

Just Daniel

One Too Many
Messages
1,449
I think the liner label suggests early 40s

https://www.thehattedprofessor.com/datehca.html



Hi everyone, purchased this vintage premier Knox fifth avenue homburg. Any idea on a possible time frame? Also I just recently moved to New York City and take a morning walk everyday to what used to be the Knox showroom and corporate offices on fifth right across from the New York Public Library. So it’s pretty cool having the hat and living so close to where it was possibly originally made or at least sold.
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Rmccamey

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,651
Location
Central Texas
Indeed, a great Mallory!

Hi everyone, purchased this vintage premier Knox fifth avenue homburg. Any idea on a possible time frame? Also I just recently moved to New York City and take a morning walk everyday to what used to be the Knox showroom and corporate offices on fifth right across from the New York Public Library. So it’s pretty cool having the hat and living so close to where it was possibly originally made or at least sold.
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Just Daniel

One Too Many
Messages
1,449
’46 or ‘47? I think the switch from Royal Stetson DeLuxe to Royal DeLuxe Stetson was in about ‘46.


Black St. Regis homburg in 7 ¾! The reverse side of the sweatband is stamped with a date. I was thinking some might like to make their best guesses before I reveal the date.

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View attachment 471983
 

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