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Side By Side/ Hat Comparisons

AbbaDatDeHat

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,828
Thanks Bowen and Joe, I’ll give that a try for next time. Can’t tell ya how frustrating it was, guess I’m no longer hip with tech haha
Lol
Not at all. When i first started it was awhile before folks started telling me they were getting neck aches looking at my pics even though on my iPhone the were oriented correctly which was weird. I felt total stupid, not just the usual.
B
 
Messages
15,077
Location
Buffalo, NY
On the campaign trail...

I recently added a second Stetson campaign styled hat to accompany a similar/later example that I've had for some time. The original is a Stetson No.1 Quality grade, likely from the period from 1935-1940. The new addition is a Stetson 1X Nutria grade which I believe dates from the second decade of the 20th century, so perhaps twenty years earlier than the No.1. Some thoughts accompany the photos below...

campaign_trail1.jpg


The overall style and dimensions are very close with a clear color difference between the felts. Both have the same height ribbon with simple bow (without frayed edge). The campaign cords are also very similar, with the older hat having enough length to accommodate a knot.

campaign_trail2.jpg

The felt on the No.1 is thick and very stiff. I suspect it might be able to hold a tighter pinch with some steam. The nutria felt is very supple and moldable. It's a very nice grade as is the 1X nutria western I've had and enjoyed for many years. The brim on the nutria campaign is much thinner and completely flexible.

campaign_trail3.jpg


campaign_trail4.jpg


The grade marking imprints compared. Both hats feature a chin strap - much more substantial on the later hat, it wraps around the campaign cord and passes through an elongated grommet on the brim. The strap on the nutria wraps around the back half of the hat and passes through a small bakelite grommet-like piece which can be removed. I took off the strap and removed the bakelite piece when I steamed and cleaned up the hat. It is a different fitting than the brass grommets in the crown.

campaign_trail5.jpg


The store imprints compared. The nutria has the early silver foil which I haven't seen much of in hats after about 1920. It didn't seem to hold up well and was pretty much eclipsed by the gold foil imprint more commonly seen. VVVV stitching on the Fray sweatband... some reed is exposed and it appears to be a natural fiber.

campaign_trail6.jpg


A substantial weight difference between the two hats - the No.1 quality comes in at a hefty 8 ounces.

campaign_trail7.jpg


Hard to show a comparison of the two brims, but the nutria seems to have a softened edge compared to the No.1 which is thick, sharply cut and stiff as a board. The nutria brim could be brought up and affixed to the crown in the manner of a slouch hat.

cheers,
Alan
 

Short Balding Guy

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,871
Location
Minnesota, USA
They rarely are as similar as these two showcased hats.

I selected the minty Royal to sport about this morning. When I came inside to change hats the Whippet caught my eye. Inspired by the similarities, I selected the Whippet to wear about.

Below are pics of the Stetson Royal and Whippet. I see them as nearly the same.

i-SC2jcTX-M.jpg


The lighter hued gray felts feel the same. If I close my eyes and pick one up I can not discern which one I am creasing. The crown blockings are similar. The flange is similar. I have creased them different.

i-MgVvf7B-M.jpg


i-3VFhSnD-M.jpg


i-QBfKpFr-M.jpg


The ribbon treatment is similar.

i-8SSmPqM-M.jpg


The liner is different in that one includes "Whippet." The leather sweats are similar.

i-hXqRq2w-M.jpg


They wear similar. The first pic is the Royal and the second in the Whippet.

i-cz2L8zs-M.jpg


i-ZCp4dTc-M.jpg


Thanks for letting me share.

Cheers, Eric -
 

RossRYoung

Practically Family
Messages
940
A few forties made lids from Stetson. A fedora, a cross-over, and a proper western. Different felt types, dimensions, ribbon treatments, felt colorings, edge finishings, and unprotected embroidered liners. The open road type and nutria share the squiggly lines crest, but that’s about the only similarity to these 3 lids. These have been getting the most attention lately, though the Nutria is quite a substantial hat that becomes somewhat heavy on a full days wear.

IMG_0277.jpeg IMG_0274.jpeg IMG_0276.jpeg
 

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