Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

Going Atomic With Dalton

Messages
10,455
Location
Boston area
88dd0506a005f7235983c21135cb007b.jpg


Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk

HA!!!
Mazel tov, Jim! That kind of rounds out the collection
 
Messages
17,839
Location
Nederland
Well, here we go. This may be the first Dalton to make its way overseas and I'm glad
Dalton in white-ish colour, let's say chalk, with a cream/ivory brim binding and ribbon. Size 55 (close enough to my 56 to give it a nudge) with the bound brim at 7cm and crown 11cm at the center dent. Final shape is yet to be determined.
The pictures show it sagging through the shape I gave it just by its weight (and it weighs only 100 grams).
This is very much a white knight kind of hat. There's lots of attention to detail in the finishing (like the way the back-seam of the sweatband has been done). The felt is very soft, especially on the crown, and seems a bit more loosely felted than for instance the similar looking Knox twentyfive. But a nice hand to it and quite thin and light.

dalton_01.jpg
dalton_02.jpg
dalton_03.jpg
dalton_04.jpg
dalton_05.jpg
dalton_07.jpg
dalton_08.jpg
dalton_09.jpg
dalton_10.jpg
dalton_11.jpg
 
Messages
17,839
Location
Nederland
Dalton #7. Photo is eBay's. More to come upon delivery.

View attachment 200616

Too small for me at 6 7/8, but it's Mrs. Fruno's size. Sold originally out of Kaufman's in Pittsburgh, it has a Kaufman, rather than Dalton, liner. there were only 4 pics to go on, so I'm curious on what's hiding in there I haven't seen.
Nice catch, Jim. I didn't follow it until the end, but it didn't go for much, did it? Looks to be in very good condition.
 
Messages
19,093
Location
Funkytown, USA
Here are some shots of the Dalton I picked up for my wife on eBay last week. All of the markings are from Kaufmann's in Pittsburgh. However, a debossment on the sweat says "by Dalton." Very nice felt, rather heavy and dense. Overwelt brim with some decorative stitching, and the teal ribbon is great. Not a lot behind the sweatband, just a generic black and white size tag. You wouldn't know it's a Dalton if not for the sweatband. She likes it, so it's a win.

Kaufmanns5.jpg
Kaufmanns1.jpg
Kaufmanns2.jpg
Kaufmanns3.jpg
Kaufmanns4.jpg
 
Messages
17,839
Location
Nederland
Here are some shots of the Dalton I picked up for my wife on eBay last week. All of the markings are from Kaufmann's in Pittsburgh. However, a debossment on the sweat says "by Dalton." Very nice felt, rather heavy and dense. Overwelt brim with some decorative stitching, and the teal ribbon is great. Not a lot behind the sweatband, just a generic black and white size tag. You wouldn't know it's a Dalton if not for the sweatband. She likes it, so it's a win.

View attachment 201976 View attachment 201975 View attachment 201977 View attachment 201978 View attachment 201979
A fine looking hat, Jim. The pics give a much better idea about the hat than the original auction shots.
 
Messages
19,093
Location
Funkytown, USA
Cont.

May 28, 1943
7-MAY 28 1943.jpg


Nov 22, 1946

8a-NOV 22 1946.jpg


April 8, 1949

8-APR 8, 1949.jpg


Oct 14, 1949

10-OCT 14, 1949.jpg


April 6, 1951

11-APR 6, 1951.jpg


The next ad is important, as it supports the previously posted information that the company went out of business in 1953. The outlet has added Champ hats, but still has Daltons in stock.

Sep 17, 1954

12-SEP 17, 1954.jpg


And going out of business shows no Daltons, but Champ and Caxton hats for sale.

March 8, 1956.

15-MAR 8, 1956.jpg
 
Messages
19,093
Location
Funkytown, USA
The latest. Dalton "Beaver Suede Finish." Interesting felted ribbon/bow treatment. Also note the "Controlled Brim." I believe this to be the brim treatment patented by Harry Siegelbaum, the President of the Dalton Hat Company. If it weren't for a light little critter nibbling, I'd call it pristine.

https://patents.google.com/?q=seigelbaum,+Harry&q=A42C1/06

Open Crown: 5 1/2"
Brim Width: 2 3/4" with that I would call an overwelt with a decorative stitch.

On with the pics...

Picture10.jpg
Picture9.jpg
Picture8.jpg
Picture7.jpg
Picture6.jpg
Picture5.jpg
Picture4.jpg
Picture3.jpg
Picture2.jpg


The patent referenced above indicates a rubber tube being inside here. Not sure about that, it pretty much feels like an overwelt. Additionally, the patent describes the brim treatment as being for hats with a lower quality of felt. The felt is rather thick and dense, but I think it's not "lower quality." Not certain if a lower quality hat would feature a Beaver Suede Finish. However, the liner on this one doesn't have a quality designation (Regal Quality, etc.), that we've seen in some other Daltons. I think I'll avoid cutting it open to see.

Picture1.jpg
 
Messages
17,839
Location
Nederland
The latest. Dalton "Beaver Suede Finish." Interesting felted ribbon/bow treatment. Also note the "Controlled Brim." I believe this to be the brim treatment patented by Harry Siegelbaum, the President of the Dalton Hat Company. If it weren't for a light little critter nibbling, I'd call it pristine.

https://patents.google.com/?q=seigelbaum,+Harry&q=A42C1/06

Open Crown: 5 1/2"
Brim Width: 2 3/4" with that I would call an overwelt with a decorative stitch.

On with the pics...

View attachment 275012 View attachment 275011 View attachment 275010 View attachment 275009 View attachment 275008 View attachment 275007 View attachment 275006 View attachment 275005 View attachment 275004

The patent referenced above indicates a rubber tube being inside here. Not sure about that, it pretty much feels like an overwelt. Additionally, the patent describes the brim treatment as being for hats with a lower quality of felt. The felt is rather thick and dense, but I think it's not "lower quality." Not certain if a lower quality hat would feature a Beaver Suede Finish. However, the liner on this one doesn't have a quality designation (Regal Quality, etc.), that we've seen in some other Daltons. I think I'll avoid cutting it open to see.

View attachment 275003
That's a nice find, Jim. I'm usually not all that keen on self felted ribbons, but this one works very well I think.
 

Randall Renshaw

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,737
Location
Nahunta, Ga.
6BBF9EE0-BF07-4430-BA86-4161FE6BA7E1.jpeg
My first Dalton came to me in fairly rough shape in a med.dark gray.
It not only needed a full refurb to include a re-block and flange, but because of deep stubborn stains in the felt it ended up getting dyed to a midnight blue. The wide binding features 4 rows of decorative stitching adding to this Dalton’s exclusivity.
It came with blue grosgrain, but because of sweat and wear it was faded quite red in places, which I re-dyed to an even blue.
Sewed her all back together and gave it a diamond crease. The felt is super sweet.
BA4E9736-5BC0-4B32-A06A-09990EE3D634.jpeg
BDF9A365-912E-4F79-86AC-F223EF75E97A.jpeg


The small word you see here says, “Oxford”. Don’t know why it bares this name, but I’ve seen this exact same small name stamp used on a different hat brand, but don’t remember what the other brand was.
...And just what is a “saxony hare”?

FED15EAC-A23F-4932-B09E-429D87CB9D0D.jpeg
F8F11280-C4C5-4271-873F-58183149456F.jpeg
 
Last edited:

Randall Renshaw

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,737
Location
Nahunta, Ga.
82AD8A6B-ECCF-46EC-A3EE-714651B018F6.jpeg
6D37E124-9D0A-4ACC-A90D-2572E18480D2.jpeg

This dove gray “World’s Finest” Dalton with gold binding is a beautiful example of the perfect fedora—if you were to ask me. I’m so happy to have this one in my humble collection.
“Premier quality”. Don’t know if that’s Dalton’s best felt, but it sure is nice.
D7860312-6EEB-48EA-9DCB-99013F58CE4D.jpeg

Added this last photo to show that I had added the all important wind trolley. Now it’s fully loaded and fully satisfying.
Chose not to attach the trolley to the bow, ala Dalton style, so it’ll be useable just in case an Ohio bound wind picks up while wearing it.
B07BF62A-5DDB-4F6B-9154-36864CC1745D.jpeg
 
Last edited:

Randall Renshaw

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,737
Location
Nahunta, Ga.
B2B7CF0A-991C-47CC-BA12-DF5B93603356.jpeg
90616263-F73D-4C3C-93B8-B790FB3DC965.jpeg
This dark gray “America’s Finest” Features a dark purple grosgrain ribbon with contrasting dark gray binding that blends right into the felt color.
This Dalton also stands out with an embroidered liner tip. No quality designation, but the felt is thick and dense and still sports the diamond crease it came to me with.
60A91F07-D7F6-470D-8AC2-A961E027BAE4.jpeg


Came with a rare box, too, but it’s blown apart at the seams more so than not. I’ll repair it later.
An astute observer may notice that these last two Daltons were originally purchased at the same store in Sacramento that Jim posted photos of above. So, too, were the two Crofut and Knapps. The ole mid Cal boy with at least 4 hats must’ve had good taste!
Incidentally, my Mother grew up only a few miles from Sacramento in a small town called Woodland.
84EFA64B-26F2-4A7C-AE87-8DC2BEE52169.jpeg
 
Last edited:

Randall Renshaw

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,737
Location
Nahunta, Ga.
F4F1243E-0A6C-48F4-92FC-C3F23BC0FFDA.jpeg
FB0C9C35-4C3D-4713-B7E6-429AF59F9ECA.jpeg
This brown Dalton came with the dark gray one in a twofer deal from the same eBay seller, who I was lucky to be able to buy two Crofut and Knapps the next day while perusing eBay again.
Out of the 4 fedoras the original owner had, he must’ve really liked wearing this one as it was well worn.
The reedless sweat was mostly unattached and the OR styled thin ribbon was irretrievably sweat stained and unraveled.
I dyed 1 1/2” white vintage grosgrain to this copper-ish color and sewed it on with a low dip at the bow keep.
The original sweat was stitched back to the felt and I’ll admit that is some seriously tedious work!
Yes. Wish I would’ve used a lighter brown thread, too.
I thought this hat would look great with just a center crease and an unsnapped brim. I like it. Comfy, dress hat.
The last photo represents the copper color of the ribbon best. Don’t know why it looks so red in the others.
365096BB-EE0A-4277-B938-28A0ED4F38EC.jpeg
50DA6266-A281-4B34-BF9F-E6E4D0F0A9AB.jpeg
8E4CB0CD-5076-4C86-8003-83DD275A60CD.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Messages
19,093
Location
Funkytown, USA
@RandallRenshaw,

Wish I knew the quality designation hierarchy. Regal and Premier, but not certain which is above the other.

The one I bought from the seller was the first one he listed. He indicated more Daltons were coming, but the window closed for me before I saw them. He indicated later they sold within minutes, so you must have seen them right away. Then he tried to sell me a Dorfman Pacific, LOL.

On the one with the gold brim binding - do you think that's the original color?
 

Forum statistics

Threads
106,931
Messages
3,024,655
Members
52,470
Latest member
GokhanB
Top