Dating Your Hat (A Place to Discuss the Age of Your Vintage Hat)

[Steve1857]

Christopher, please post your Herbert Johnson hat in The Great British Hat Makers thread once it arrives.

Hi everyone! I just won this hat in an auction on Ebay and was wondering if anyone could help me put a date on it. I read in another thread that Herbert Johnson hats used to have a tag under the sweatband that had the year of manufacture. So I'm sure I'll be able to check that once the hat arrives. I heard that after 1982 they stopped including that tag so I have some good information on how I can figure this out myself once I get the hat. Anyway, can anyone give me an estimate based these pictures?

 

[Christopher Smith]

Got it Steve! I’ll make sure I do that.

Christopher, please post your Herbert Johnson hat in The Great British Hat Makers thread once it arrives.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Anyone want to take a stab at it? For some reason I’m thinking it’s not as old as I estimated it to be when I first saw it.

 

[Just Daniel]

“Protecto” gets a few hits...

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/miller-western-hat-xxxx-protecto-7-3-8.38311/

https://vintagehaberdashers.com/2014/08/07/1930s-protecto-the-rancher-cowboy-hat/

Not a whole lot, but closer. The quality of the stamp looks nice, the debossing is usually a sign of at least a pre-50s hat.

On the other hand the threads look a bit bigger and rougher than 30s hats.

Anyone want to take a stab at it? For some reason I’m thinking it’s not as old as I estimated it to be when I first saw it.

View attachment 285431 View attachment 285432 View attachment 285433

 

[Rmccamey]

I sure like how they put that logo in the crown.

Anyone want to take a stab at it? For some reason I’m thinking it’s not as old as I estimated it to be when I first saw it.

View attachment 285431 View attachment 285432 View attachment 285433

 

[Christopher Smith]

Hi everyone. I purchased a MacPhergus fedora from eBay. The interior leather band says "The Strouss-Hirshberg Co." which from what I understand was the name of the department store "Strouss" prior to 1947. My information is coming from Wikipedia, so I'm not 100% sure how accurate it is. Any idea how old this hat could be or if it is possibly from before 1947? It should be arriving in the mail today, so I may be able to check for information under the leather band. Just wanted to get some opinions. I like the fact that this hat doesn't have a pinch in the front. It kind of reminds me of the hat that the hockey player Maurice Richard wore in the 50's - 60's. I've also seen pictures of hats that are very similar to this in older photographs. JM Barrie (author of Peter Pan) wore a similar hat with the brim up.

 

[jlee562]

Hi everyone. I purchased a MacPhergus fedora from eBay. The interior leather band says "The Strouss-Hirshberg Co." which from what I understand was the name of the department store "Strouss" prior to 1947. My information is coming from Wikipedia, so I'm not 100% sure how accurate it is. Any idea how old this hat could be or if it is possibly from before 1947? It should be arriving in the mail today, so I may be able to check for information under the leather band. Just wanted to get some opinions. I like the fact that this hat doesn't have a pinch in the front. It kind of reminds me of the hat that the hockey player Maurice Richard wore in the 50's - 60's. I've also seen pictures of hats that are very similar to this in older photographs. JM Barrie (author of Peter Pan) wore a similar hat with the brim up. View attachment 307175 View attachment 307176 View attachment 307177 View attachment 307178 View attachment 307179 View attachment 307180 View attachment 307183 View attachment 307189 View attachment 307190

Looks pretty much like most 60's hats.

Any time you see the clear plastic/vinyl tip liner, it's mid-to-late fifties at the absolute earliest. Black sweatbands were also more typical in the 60s/70s.

 

[Steve1857]

Hi Christopher.

Welcome to the FL and congrats on your purchase. I agree with Jared @jlee562 about the date of this hat. It's a cool hat whatever it's vintage.

Please do send photos of labels etc. under the sweatband.

Your hat can be worn brim up or brim down, with or without pinches as you wish, and as are shown in the photo of the hockey player.

J.M. Barrie was known for wearing a Homburg. These are stiff felt hats. That is to to say, stiff in the brim. You can put pinches and dents in the crown, but the brim cannot be flipped down in a Homburg.

A Bowler hat and Top Hat are stiff all the way round. That is to say, you cannot put a pinch or a dent in the crown, nor can you flip the brim down. Well, you could, but you'd ruin the hat ;-)

Looking forward to seeing your photos of your new hat once it arrives.

Best wishes - Steve

Hi everyone. I purchased a MacPhergus fedora from eBay. The interior leather band says "The Strouss-Hirshberg Co." which from what I understand was the name of the department store "Strouss" prior to 1947. My information is coming from Wikipedia, so I'm not 100% sure how accurate it is. Any idea how old this hat could be or if it is possibly from before 1947? It should be arriving in the mail today, so I may be able to check for information under the leather band. Just wanted to get some opinions. I like the fact that this hat doesn't have a pinch in the front. It kind of reminds me of the hat that the hockey player Maurice Richard wore in the 50's - 60's. I've also seen pictures of hats that are very similar to this in older photographs. JM Barrie (author of Peter Pan) wore a similar hat with the brim up. View attachment 307175 View attachment 307176 View attachment 307177 View attachment 307178 View attachment 307179 View attachment 307180 View attachment 307183 View attachment 307189 View attachment 307190

 

[Genester]

Hey gents,

I'm new here and was hoping some of you could help me figure out what era this Stetson is from or point me in the right direction. There's a lot of information on here-which can be a bit overwhelming. Anyhow I thought this would be a great place to start!

Is there a thread/links to learn about the numbering system Stetson used?


Cheers,
Gene

 

[jlee562]

View attachment 316902 View attachment 316905 View attachment 316906 View attachment 316907 View attachment 316908 Hey gents,

I'm new here and was hoping some of you could help me figure out what era this Stetson is from or point me in the right direction. There's a lot of information on here-which can be a bit overwhelming. Anyhow I thought this would be a great place to start!

Is there a thread/links to learn about the numbering system Stetson used?


Cheers,
Gene

Somebody else might be able to get you more specific, but the wider sweatband and onionskin liner tip are generally indicative of 50's hat.

 

[carouselvic]

Post war to mid 50’s

 

[Genester]

Somebody else might be able to get you more specific, but the wider sweatband and onionskin liner tip are generally indicative of 50's hat.

Nice. I found a site online that puts the hat between 30's and 50's based on the style of that tag so that sounds about right!

 

[Just Daniel]

Vic is right on point, I’d risk a little more and say late 40s, early 50s. With the red tag probably to the right of that orange tag, the oilskin on the liner, and stars in the 3X crest: maybe even say ‘48-50...52 max.

If you find a need to search FL, put this site: in the google search line before the text you are searching for. It will limit your results to the Lounge.

site:thefedoralounge.com

Nice. I found a site online that puts the hat between 30's and 50's based on the style of that tag so that sounds about right!

 

[Snowman]

I need some help with this one. I’ve exhausted my limited knowledge, and everything I thought I knew from rereading various threads on the lounge. There are some confusing elements (to me, anyway) here.
Lightweight dress western, 4 1/2” crown, 2 5/8” brim. The black sweat with gold stripe and poor quality inking says 2000’s, but it is a pretty soft leather. Keyhole size tag with a union label on back. Last Drop liner with a clear plastic tip. The only markings are the felt quality “The Sovereign” and a stamped number on the inside of the sweat. Liner is glued, and I felt around under it, but I don’t think there is a tag of any kind underneath. Is it 1980’s or 2000’s or something else altogether?

 

[Just Daniel]

I can’t help too much because I think a lot gets mixed up in the later decades. What I can add is that the non-embroidered liner and black sweatband are at least 60s. From them on I don’t know much on tracking 70s, 80s, etc.

I need some help with this one. I’ve exhausted my limited knowledge, and everything I thought I knew from rereading various threads on the lounge. There are some confusing elements (to me, anyway) here.
Lightweight dress western, 4 1/2” crown, 2 5/8” brim. The black sweat with gold stripe and poor quality inking says 2000’s, but it is a pretty soft leather. Keyhole size tag with a union label on back. Last Drop liner with a clear plastic tip. The only markings are the felt quality “The Sovereign” and a stamped number on the inside of the sweat. Liner is glued, and I felt around under it, but I don’t think there is a tag of any kind underneath. Is it 1980’s or 2000’s or something else altogether?
View attachment 322574 View attachment 322575

 

[Snowman]

I can’t help too much because I think a lot gets mixed up in the later decades. What I can add is that the non-embroidered liner and black sweatband are at least 60s. From them on I don’t know much on tracking 70s, 80s, etc.

Thanks for the input Daniel. This is the first Sovereign I’ve had, and I am a bit confused by the western liner and the dress weight felt.

 

[quixoticTexan]

Need an age for this Stetson that I inherited from my dad, who inherited it from his brother. All I know is it's pre-1996 because that when my uncle died. Is it straw, grass? Thanks!

 

[Styleslover]

Good day

I was wondering if you guys base on your knowledge and expertise would help place a era on this hat or time period. It a jcpennny extra quality hat. Thanks!
https://ibb.co/XttBxqk
https://ibb.co/ZT11zcg
[URL]https://ibb.co/VWBr9BT[/URL]

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Good day

I was wondering if you guys base on your knowledge and expertise would help place a era on this hat or time period. It a jcpennny extra quality hat. Thanks!
https://ibb.co/XttBxqk
https://ibb.co/ZT11zcg
https://ibb.co/VWBr9BT

I believe that the union label in your photos came into existence in or around 1934. It was made after that date, but you’ll have to wait for someone more knowledgeable than me to tell you ‘30s, ‘40s, or ‘50s. It would be helpful if we could see the rest of the hat as clues can be hidden there.

 

[Styleslover]

I believe that the union label in your photos came into existence in or around 1934. It was made after that date, but you’ll have to wait for someone more knowledgeable than me to tell you ‘30s, ‘40s, or ‘50s. It would be helpful if we could see the rest of the hat as clues can be hidden there.

Thanks! Here is some more photos of the hat. Would you happen to know when mecurey was ban in the us?
https://ibb.co/QDqkLKm
https://ibb.co/TgjJVqc
https://ibb.co/JKyMXcZ
https://ibb.co/SrLGN0R