The Official Stetson 25 Thread

[suitedcboy]

Felt beaver content is one of the most consistently inconsistent grading systems I've ever run across. The variables of where on the beaver's body the fur is sourced, shellac content, mercury and non mercury felting, and pouncing and you have quite a mess. I'm only referring to the first half of the twentieth century too. The other factor affecting this is the effects of age and on the felt. I can't recall having anyone in the 80s or 90s speak to what some of the high end hats, 7x and 100s, etc. were like as new hats compared to how well kept example's felt feels today.

 

[wsmontana]

Here is a recent find of a 1950’s Twenty-Five OR with a 2 5/8” brim and 6” open crown. It is in great condition except for a few popped stitches on the sweatband (which I made worse by digging behind … argh!). The felt is great but not as moldable as the 40’s hat I posted earlier. There is also no labelling of Beaver content like on the 40’s hat.

 

[Rmccamey]

A Twenty Five OR is a mighty special hat. Congrats.

Here is a recent find of a 1950’s Twenty-Five OR with a 2 5/8” brim and 6” open crown. It is in great condition except for a few popped stitches on the sweatband (which I made worse by digging behind … argh!). The felt is great but not as moldable as the 40’s hat I posted earlier. There is also no labelling of Beaver content like on the 40’s hat.

View attachment 559420 View attachment 559421 View attachment 559422 View attachment 559423 View attachment 559424 View attachment 559425

 

[Rmccamey]

A Twenty Five OR is a mighty special hat. Congrats.

Here is a recent find of a 1950’s Twenty-Five OR with a 2 5/8” brim and 6” open crown. It is in great condition except for a few popped stitches on the sweatband (which I made worse by digging behind … argh!). The felt is great but not as moldable as the 40’s hat I posted earlier. There is also no labelling of Beaver content like on the 40’s hat.

View attachment 559420 View attachment 559421 View attachment 559422 View attachment 559423 View attachment 559424 View attachment 559425

 

[wsmontana]

A Twenty Five OR is a mighty special hat. Congrats.

Thanks Randy!

 

[Hurricane Jack]

The felt is great but not as moldable as the 40’s hat I posted earlier.

You’re on a roll!

 

[wsmontana]

You’re on a roll!

Thanks @Hurricane Jack! Fortunate finds for sure!