Pre 1940s (non-Stetson) Westerns

[H Weinstein]

What a great bunch of hats! Really shows the variety of styles and individuality hat wearers and makers come up with. Hard to believe they all start as the same basic shape.

 

[Joshbru3]

Alan, these are spectacular!!!! Its incredible how preserved the sweatbands, sweatband printing, and size stickers are! The contrast of color between the gray felt and the pearl white ribbon/trimmings is wonderful. I'm so glad you picked these up! :eusa_clap:eusa_clap

I'm in love with that ribbon treatment!!! I may actually use this exact design on my next western conversion if you don't mind....

 

[Joshbru3]

......................I'm speechless.......................:eeek:

This is my favorite out of all of your Wyoming purchases. The felt is beautiful, the crown height/shape is perfect, the silk lined underside of the brim is so unusual and spectacular, this hat is a once in a lifetime find. The sweatband is perfect and the embossing is out of this world. This might just be one of my favorite hats ever. The bow and tassels are just amazing. ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL HAT!!!!!!! :eusa_clap:eusa_clap:eusa_clap

 

[randooch]

Incredible, isn't it? And of course! Alan looks grand in it.

 

[countryclubjoe]

Alan

That hat is fabulous. I like the color combo when you wear the brim turned up even tho wearing the brim turned up partially hides the great looking ribbon. I wish I had that dilma. A six inch crown? Love it.
Thanks for sharing.

Best regards
CCJ

 

[countryclubjoe]

Those are great - I was watching them & hoped someone here ended up with them!

Simply OUTSTANDING.

CCJ

 

[alanfgag]

Alan

That hat is fabulous. I like the color combo when you wear the brim turned up even tho wearing the brim turned up partially hides the great looking ribbon. I wish I had that dilma. A six inch crown? Love it.
Thanks for sharing.

Best regards
CCJ

Thank you. This hat wouldn't respond well to a snapped brim because of the silk under brim lining. It is intended to be worn uppity.

 

[rlk]

American Hat Co. Longhair Western

Must be the American Hat Co. of Norwalk CT. United Hatters of North America tag. Not new to the lounge but recent.

 

[alanfgag]

Such a tease to keep the liner in the shadows. Great one!

 

[Joao Encarnado]

Really nice long hair!

 

[Joshbru3]

1900's "The Defender"

Just received this one yesterday. Its not as tan as the pictures show, its more of a gray-tan. The felt is nearly flawless except for a couple very shallow tracks. The sweatband is soft and pliable and feels new. The hat originally came with a Guss crease, but I have steamed the crown open. Some of the original crease lines can still be seen, I could have gotten them out, but I felt they add more character left in. There are no manufacture markings and the reorder tag is present but left blank. The felt is finished very nicely and reacts and feels very much like old Nutria hats that I have had. It doesn't feel like Rabbit or beaver, but most definitely has that Nutria feel. I have no way of knowing, but its a guess.

6 1/2 inch crown

Brim is 3 1/4 inches With the curl, and 3 inches not counting the curl.

with center crease and side dents

with guss crease

 

[carouselvic]

koool

 

[buler]

Nice, Josh. the initials under the Defender logo appear to be L & M or M & L. Time for you to scour the American Hatters.....

B

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

Nice nice Josh looks like the ribbon in frayed on the ends also. My favorite touch to the ribbons on the old hats.

 

[Joshbru3]

Thanks, guys!!

Bill, I looked through all editions of the American Hatter on google and used certain search words. I was only able to come up with a couple editions that mentioned "The Defender." It appears that The Defender brand was made by The Waite Hat Co (Which later became Blake & Waite Co) but based on the initilas in the logo, it doesn't really match up. I see a "W," "M," and an "L." The company was from Minnesota, so Im not sure if they made my Defender. [huh]

 

[hatophile]

I like the Gus crease!

 

[gtdean48]

I like the Gus crease!

+1...I'm with Perry...that one screams for the Gus/Montana Slope crease....

 

[Chepstow]

+1...I'm with Perry...that one screams for the Gus/Montana Slope crease....

+2 looks fantastic!

 

[mikespens]

Amazing survivor.

 

[Joshbru3]

Thanks guys, If I ever decide to wear it, I will do the Gus crease. For now, its resting nicely in open crown.