Vintage hat form question

[Flatch]

Local antique store has a wooden 7 3/8 hat form. I took the pieces apart and examined them - it appears to be in excellent shape (and the dome was a dead match for the 7 3/8 I happened to be wearing).

I'm wondering what is the most those of you who have them, or would consider buying them, would pay for it?

I have no intent of buying it - I could use it to fix up some felts I've found, but am not (yet!) into hats seriously enough to really justify the price. At $70, I suspect it's overpriced (and that's with a 10% discount). I'm curious for a ballpark figure from experts who'd know what it should reasonably go for.

Thanks,

PS Did not look at the Bay of E for pricing ranges...figured you guys would know better.

 

[billyspew]

I've seen them go for a lot in the past - upto a few hundred dollars. Did it have any other numbers/markings on it?

TTFN,

Bill

 

[Flatch]

There were some other numbers stamped on it, but I have no idea what they meant and was mainly looking for size. And as you can see, I edited my first post to include the price they wanted (duh, how could I forget that).

 

[Brad Bowers]

Sounds like a reasonable price. You said you took the pieces apart, so it sounds like they're selling both the crown block and the brim flange for $70. For that size, that's a good price, but it would also depend on other factors, such as height of the crown block and style, which are what the other numbers on the bottom represent. Same thing with the flange, brim width and style numbers are relevant as to just how much of a good deal it is.

I've paid over $100 just for a crown block alone.

Brad

 

[Flatch]

Thanks, Brad. It is both block and flange. The flange had a really tight fit on the block; took me about 30 seconds of wiggling it back and forth to get it off. I don't know if that's how they're supposed to be or what. Anyway, the block is a plain dome shape, just like an open crown hat.

Now I'm curious about its particulars; will stop in next week to see if I can figure out if I can decipher the other numbers on it.

And I did look at eebay - there are 2 on there now much like it for about that price, but this one is in better shape than either, with overall darker wood (looks almost like it was deeply oiled at one time) and few scuffs. Thank you again!

 

[scottyrocks]

Anyway, the block is a plain dome shape, just like an open crown hat.

Now I'm curious about its particulars; will stop in next week to see if I can figure out if I can decipher the other numbers on it.

There is no such thing as a plain dome shape. There'll all different, and the right 'plain dome shape' will shape your hats exactly the way you want them. Check out those numbers and get back to us.

 

[Flatch]

SIR YES SIR!

 

[ScottF]

Here's mine - 7 1/4 block and flange for $32. I've gotten a lot of use out of each. I think I got lucky in that the block is exactly the size I needed, and exactly the crown shape I prefer. I was expecting to have to buy 3-4 blocks before I found just what I wanted.

ebay block and flange

 

[Flatch]

I assume the "6" means it's six inches high? What's the "30" mean?

 

[Brad Bowers]

30 is the style number. Each #30 block from that particular manufacturer would yield the same style crown, regardless of size. The various manufacturers often times used the same block numbers as their competitors, and while being roughly similar, they weren't exact matches.

This is what makes it maddening when trying to buy hat blocks on eBay. All my various #52 blocks are close to each other, but not quite the same. Sizing is a problem too, as I have a size 7 #52 block that is larger in circumference than a 7 1/8 #52 block I have! I don't think one is U.K. block, either. eBay is quite the crapshoot.

That #30 block is very interesting. That shape doesn't come up too often. I'd love to see how a hat turns out on it.

Brad

 

[Flatch]

I'll just have to bring my tape measure with me to make sure it's true to size, then.

 

[CRH]

30 is the style number. Each #30 block from that particular manufacturer would yield the same style crown, regardless of size. The various manufacturers often times used the same block numbers as their competitors, and while being roughly similar, they weren't exact matches.

This is what makes it maddening when trying to buy hat blocks on eBay. All my various #52 blocks are close to each other, but not quite the same. Sizing is a problem too, as I have a size 7 #52 block that is larger in circumference than a 7 1/8 #52 block I have! I don't think one is U.K. block, either. eBay is quite the crapshoot.

That #30 block is very interesting. That shape doesn't come up too often. I'd love to see how a hat turns out on it.

Brad

I'm sure that the numbers and corresponding shapes have been cataloged over the years but I sure can't seem to find anything on the web.

 

[ScottF]

That #30 block is very interesting. That shape doesn't come up too often. I'd love to see how a hat turns out on it.

Brad

I've blocked three hats with it - a size 7 Stetson, a 7 3/8 short-crown hat with some taper, and a 7 1/4 Knox twenty. Results for the first two were fairly drastic for obvious reasons, but the Knox twenty was a perfect fit before and after. Here are before and after pics of the Knox - unfortunately, I didn't get unbashed pics before blocking:

(Thanks Tony, for all the tips on blocking)

 

[Flatch]

Went back and checked out the hat block. It has the numbers 6 and 55 on it. I assume the 55 is that company's crown style, the exact meaning of which is probably now unknown.

Looking at your photo, your block's top is noticeably more angled than this one's is; it has a pretty well rounded top, which is why I called it a plain dome shape, since that's pretty much what it looks like. Yours clearly isn't.

Thank you all again for your interest and expertise on this.