The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

[jeffgarf]

Bought this mystery Borsalino (also, my first Borsalino) in dark grey from a small local hat store that doesn't even carry the brand anymore. It came without a box or any tags and has allegedly been sitting in the store for longer than the current owners. Going by the old store sticker on the sweatband, it could be from anywhere between the mid 80s to mid 2010 when management changed. If anybody has an idea about the model or other info, I'd appreciate it. The felt is soft yet structured and I'm pretty certain it's rabbit.

What got me are the dimensions, I'm a 6'7 dude so almost all "ready to wear" hats look undersized on me. This one has a 2,7 inch Brim and a 5,6 Inch Crown even with the bash.

That is a fantastic looking hat. The information on how to date your hat, to the best of collective knowledge, is contained here in the thread. A simple search should allow you to answer your question as well as anyone.

 

[Team_Feisar]

That is a fantastic looking hat. The information on how to date your hat, to the best of collective knowledge, is contained here in the thread. A simple search should allow you to answer your question as well as anyone.

It sadly seems to be missing the usual white label under the sweatband, it only has a "08" where I suppose it should be.

 

[jeffgarf]

It sadly seems to be missing the usual white label under the sweatband, it only has a "08" where I suppose it should be.

Well, that will certainly complicate matters. I will wait for others to jump in, but the lining does seem older than the contemporary models.

 

[jeffgarf]

There is a saying, "everything old is new again." This is a proper Borsalino black hat, sold in Brooklyn, presumably to a member of the Jewish community. Its dated 2000 on the white cell label and, at 3 1/2" on the brim and with a shark gill bow, this has not been "in style" for the Jewish religious wearer for many years. Even there, styles come back around and I am ready! A great hat.

 

[jeffgarf]

Last one in for a bit, a Qualita Aquila in Nero from some time between '61 and '72, sold in Naples. It is a 3 star and a velour finish. The brim is 1 7/8", but seems even smaller, with a crown height of 5". Very, very soft finish.

 

[steur]

Last one in for a bit, a Qualita Aquila in Nero from some time between '61 and '72, sold in Naples. It is a 3 star and a velour finish. The brim is 1 7/8", but seems even smaller, with a crown height of 5". Very, very soft finish.

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Cool find, Jeff. These aquila quality hats don't show up often.

 

[jeffgarf]

Cool find, Jeff. These aquila quality hats don't show up often.

I noticed it and grabbed it, as a collector, for exactly that reason, it's rarity.

 

[TheEnglishSwede]

Another Borsalino for my collection.

Labelled as a 58 cm but fits my slightly smaller noggin just fine.

Arrived in the week and was covered in a lot of dust, and these photos are after I took a vacuum cleaner and brush over it, so it looked a bit more presentable. This morning the hat received a wipe down with a damp cloth and looks a lot cleaner now.

The brim is 5,5 cm, so that is a tad over 2 inches













So thanks to Steur's database on page 500, I'm dating this between 1961 and 1972. Also there is a number 6 or 9 printed on the inside of the hat band.

Google translate forra as gorge, so I'm guessing the name was chosen to reflect the fuller green foliage that one finds in the hills / mountains of Italy.

Ströms is a fashion shop located in Stockholm, started in 1906 and it remained with the Ström family until 1972, when it went over to become part of Austin Reed from England, in the 1980s Austin Reed sells the shops to the shop managers. The shop still sells hats but offers only Stetson on their online shop.

Here is an image of the Ströms hat display from the 1960s.

If anybody can tell me more about the hat, please do.

/Mike

 

[Steve1857]

Another Borsalino for my collection.

Labelled as a 58 cm but fits my slightly smaller noggin just fine.

Arrived in the week and was covered in a lot of dust, and these photos are after I took a vacuum cleaner and brush over it, so it looked a bit more presentable. This morning the hat received a wipe down with a damp cloth and looks a lot cleaner now.

The brim is 5,5 cm, so that is a tad over 2 inches

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So thanks to Steur's database on page 500, I'm dating this between 1961 and 1972. Also there is a number 6 or 9 printed on the inside of the hat band.

Google translate forra as gorge, so I'm guessing the name was chosen to reflect the fuller green foliage that one finds in the hills / mountains of Italy.

Ströms is a fashion shop located in Stockholm, started in 1906 and it remained with the Ström family until 1972, when it went over to become part of Austin Reed from England, in the 1980s Austin Reed sells the shops to the shop managers. The shop still sells hats but offers only Stetson on their online shop.

Here is an image of the Ströms hat display from the 1960s.

If anybody can tell me more about the hat, please do.

/Mike

That's a really nice find.

The icing on the cake is the history and photos of the hat shop. I think that's only the second hat we've seen from Ströms on the Lounge.

Congrats EnglishSwede from the EnglishDane

 

[mojoboy31]

Question for all you Borsalino pros. I usually wear a 60 or 7 1/2 with all my other hats. But the Borsalino I have runs small. I am in the market for another one. Would you recommend sizing up to 61 or 62?

 

[Bill Hughes]

Question for all you Borsalino pros. I usually wear a 60 or 7 1/2 with all my other hats. But the Borsalino I have runs small. I am in the market for another one. Would you recommend sizing up to 61 or 62?

Yes. Borso's tend to run small.

 

[jeffgarf]

Yes. Borso's tend to run small.

Agreed

 

[M Hatman]

Question for all you Borsalino pros. I usually wear a 60 or 7 1/2 with all my other hats. But the Borsalino I have runs small. I am in the market for another one. Would you recommend sizing up to 61 or 62?

To answer directly, all my experience says yes on running small (ESPECIALLY modern ones). And one size up will most always do it. So in your case, go to a 61.

 

[steur]

Now here's something interesting to chew on. The Borsalino model names remain an enigma or a mystery we haven't cracked yet. @Blare recently had some fun with AI inserting himself into a Stetson ad. That gave a an idea to put AI to work. So I asked the AI (using SafeGPT) to come up with three hypotheses about Borsalino's model names considering linguistic or dialect influences and the similarities in affixes used. Here's what it came up with:

Hypotheses on Model Name Meanings​

Based on the list of Borsalino hat models, here are three hypotheses about what these model names could mean, considering linguistic or dialect influences and the similarities in affixes used. They are ranked from most likely to least likely:

1. Regional and Dialectical Origin (Most Likely)
- Many names appear to be derived from place names, dialect words, or historical terms from Northern and Southern Italy (Piemonte, Calabria, Sicily, etc.).
- Examples: Amalfi (a coastal town), Calabrese (from Calabria), Sicilindro (Sicily + cylinder), Etrus (Etruscans).
- Affixes like “-san”, “-sca”, “-ata”, “-gu” may be dialectal or diminutive forms typical in Italian dialects.
- These names could refer to the style, origin, or inspiration of the model.

2. Combinations of Sounds and Brand-Specific Codes
- Some names seem to be composed of sound combinations not directly recognizable as existing words, possibly internal model codes.
- Examples: dolfosan 38, drudosti 39 1/2, fantesan 39, mulasca 40 1/2 — numbers likely hat sizes, rest is model code.
- Affixes like “-san”, “-sca” may be a systematic naming within the factory to classify models.

3. Symbolic or Artistic Names with Mythological or Historical References (Less Likely)
- Some names appear to reference mythological or historical figures or concepts, e.g., faunosca (from Faunus, Roman god), stregone (wizard).
- This could be an artistic choice by Borsalino to give hats a certain allure or story.
- Combination with sizes suggests this is secondary to the practical model number.

After that I asked it for explanations about the affixes and to look into 20 of the model names.

Explanation of 10 Affixes and Their Possible Meanings​

1. -san
- May indicate an honorific addition (like in Japanese naming) or a dialect suffix.
2. -sca
- Often a feminine or diminutive form in Italian dialects.
3. -gu
- Possibly a dialect variation, often adding sound color or emphasis.
4. -ata
- Typical Italian suffix, often used for actions or collective forms, may indicate a specific variant.
5. -sti
- Could indicate plural or agent form, or a sound-rich addition for model naming.
6. -po
- Short affix, may denote smallness or playfulness.
7. -ia
- Typical feminine ending in Italian, can indicate elegance.
8. -el
- Can be a diminutive or abbreviation, often used in dialects.
9. -os
- May indicate masculine or strong character.
10. -ta
- Sometimes feminine or abstract form, used to distinguish models.

Analysis of 20 Selected Model Names​

1. amalfi
- Likely refers to Amalfi, a coastal town in Southern Italy. Could denote a style inspired by the region.
2. calabrese
- Means “from Calabria”, Southern Italy. Suggests regional style or origin.
3. sicilindro
- Combination of “Sicilia” (Sicily) and “cilindro” (cylinder). Possibly a cylindrical model with Sicilian inspiration.
4. fantesan
- “Fante” means soldier or servant, “-san” possibly affix. Could be a tough or military-inspired model.
5. drudosti
- Possibly a coined word; “dru” might refer to druid or something mystical, “-sti” affix.
6. mulasca
- “Mula” means mule, “-sca” could be diminutive or feminine. Possibly a sturdy, robust model.
7. etrusgu
- Refers to “Etruscans,” an ancient Italian civilization, “-gu” affix. Historical inspiration.
8. faunosca
- Derived from “Fauno” (Faunus), Roman god, “-sca” affix. Mystical, natural style.
9. stregone
- Italian for “wizard” or “sorcerer.” Mystical, artistically inspired name.
10. nadir
- Astronomical term, lowest point in the sky. Could denote a low-profile model or specific shape.
11. lunasca
- “Luna” = moon, “-sca” affix. Possibly an elegant, soft model.
12. cronaca
- Means “chronicle” or “news report.” Perhaps a classic or timeless model.
13. gatergu
- Possibly a combination of “gato” (cat in Spanish/Italian) and affix “-gu.” Playful name.
14. dolfosan
- “Dolfo” might refer to a name or abbreviation, “-san” affix. Could be a refined model.
15. capellota
- Diminutive of “capello” (hat). May denote a smaller, subtle model.
16. caloiasta
- Difficult to analyze directly; possibly region “Caloi” + affix “-asta.” Regional naming?
17. pospodelias
- Complex word, possibly compound. “Pod” may mean foot, “delias” could refer to Delia (epithet of Artemis).
18. gugorasp
- Possibly a brand or model code, playful, no direct meaning.
19. idora
- Sounds like a female name, possibly an elegant line.
20. floragigia
- “Flora” (flowers), “gigi” (playful), feminine association.

Could be interesting to ask other AI models to see what they come up with and see what we think of these different hypotheses.

 

[Pellie]

Borsalino Toledo end '60's, early '70's came in, again in a plastic bag, why??? Littlebit of steam and it turned out to be a very nice hat. Great color, good proportions. It needs a littlebit of a stretch to fit completely well. So it's on the hatstretcher now.

 

[Pellie]

Borsalino Trionfo in color Toledo. Great hat in 100% mint condition.
Very nice hat from the age '61-'72 according to the label. Sold by J. S. Meuwsen in the netherlands.

 

[Pellie]

Last 2 pics....

 

[steur]

Last 2 pics.... View attachment 783074 View attachment 783075

Again: fantastic find, Marcel. Great hat.

 

[steur]

Echter Borsalino homburg in a grey colour called Argento. Model is a new one called Sanvulcan. Size is 59 or 60 depending on which of the labels you choose to believe. Unlined with the bound brim at 6cm and the crown at a generous 12cm at the center dent.
This one is one of the early ones before 1936. I was hoping for a date inside the sweatband (which the German ones often have), but alas. In as good a condition as can be hoped for for a hat this age and being shipped in an envelope! But what a thing.

 

[Pellie]

Echter Borsalino homburg in a grey colour called Argento. Model is a new one called Sanvulcan. Size is 59 or 60 depending on which of the labels you choose to believe. Unlined with the bound brim at 6cm and the crown at a generous 12cm at the center dent.
This one is one of the early ones before 1936. I was hoping for a date inside the sweatband (which the German ones often have), but alas. In as good a condition as can be hoped for for a hat this age and being shipped in an envelope! But what a thing.

Fantastic!