New Life for an Old Hat

[Swamp_Fox]

I thought I would share my latest thrift store find with you folks.

I picked up this nice vintage beaver fur western hat for $8 at a Goodwill store. When I got it, the crown had something like a safari bash and the brim was terribly misshapen from sitting on it too long. It was also sporting a gaudy ribbon made from big brown feathers. It looked like a rejected stage prop, but I knew it had potential. I wish I would have taken some "before" pictures, but I didn't think about it.

The crown is very high and it would have looked ridiculous on me with the original bash, since I'm not a tall guy. When I got it home, I removed the feathered band and let the shower run over the hat to get it good and wet. I re-bashed the crown as you can see, reducing its considerable height. I guess it would be considered a pinched telescope or perhaps a c-crown, now. (I was thinking of Blondie's hat from the Dollars trilogy when I bashed the crown) Then, I gently reshaped the brim. Finally, I put on a new leather band from a western store.

I'm pretty happy with the final result! I feel good that I rescued a nice vintage hat from an uncertain fate; I expect that I will get many years of use from it.

http://s758.photobucket.com/albums/xx230/Francis_Marion/?action=view&current=HPIM0768.jpg

 

[CRH]

...

I'm pretty happy with the final result! I feel good that I rescued a nice vintage hat from an uncertain fate; I expect that I will get many years of use from it.
...

Now that strikes me as a hat that someone who goes by the handle Swamp_Fox should be wearing. That concave crown tapering that you ended up with speaks of heritage.

Keep your step away from the quick sand, Brother!

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

The end result looks great, Swamp'! My kinda' western for sure. Good save.
:eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[Swamp_Fox]

Thanks for the encouragement!

 

[Stoney]

Nice job

lowering the crown height with the telescope style bash.