The International Wool Felt Consortium

[PanosChris]

B.B. "Bristol" upbrim, wool felt in mixed colors. Probably 30s

 

[PanosChris]

Very similar to the Germania, down to the stitching on the brim. All these old woollies are survivor hats; great to see.

Talk about survivors! Incredible.

Thanks, Stefan! I particularly like the backbows you've posted

 

[steur]

Thanks, Stefan! I particularly like the backbows you've posted

Thanks, Panos. Love the Bristol you've posted above. It's a style I really like.

 

[PanosChris]

A French in long hair mix with a good amount of wool content. Probably pre-WWII

 

[PanosChris]

Another French, "Thibet" in a special wool recipe. This is probably the most elegant wool felt that has passed from my hands. More silky than rough. Pics from Daniele

And with that I've just remembered a Thibet wool bowler if someone wants to post it here

 

[mayserwegener]

"Orion", 58cm, Open Crown 6 inches, Brim 2 3/8 inches, No Company Mark probably late 1930s.

 

[mayserwegener]

Brüder Böhm Wien, No Paper Label possibly 1920s. I haven't worn this one in 10 years. Will have to pull it out of the vault.

 

[Mean Eyed Matt]

"Orion", 58cm, Open Crown 6 inches, Brim 2 3/8 inches, No Company Mark probably late 1930s.

That one's fantastic, Steve! I really dig the felt and ribbon colour combination.
And it's a wonderful example of a high quality wool felt hat - perfect for this thread!

By the way, I think the hat could have come from one of the factories in Guben,
as the coat of arms on the lining matches that of the town:
A very similar crowned city wall with three towers/city gates.
I can hardly imagine that this is a coincidence...
https://guben-online.de/stadt/stadtwappen/wappen/

 

[PanosChris]

"Orion", 58cm, Open Crown 6 inches, Brim 2 3/8 inches, No Company Mark probably late 1930s.

Altogether fantastic! Thanks for posting, Steve.

 

[glider]

My local hat shop, Levine, has some very nice wool felt hats that are priced comparable to fur felt. You would be very hard pressed to tell the difference.

 

[mayserwegener]

That one's fantastic, Steve! I really dig the felt and ribbon colour combination.
And it's a wonderful example of a high quality wool felt hat - perfect for this thread!

By the way, I think the hat could have come from one of the factories in Guben,
as the coat of arms on the lining matches that of the town:
A very similar crowned city wall with three towers/city gates.
I can hardly imagine that this is a coincidence...
https://guben-online.de/stadt/stadtwappen/wappen/

Matt, Super detection! This solves the issue with these WWII era and earlier no company Wool Hats with similar paper labels and stamps. I always thought that they might come from a Guben source. My guess would be BGH but it could be another factory like C. G. Wilke but I tend to think BGH. The first BGH that you posted is probably 1950s because F. W. Schneider Köln (now Stetson Europe) had the BGH mark. The paper label of that hat has FWS. Thanks regarding the hat!

 

[mayserwegener]

Altogether fantastic! Thanks for posting, Steve.

Panos, Thank you! I have many old European Soft and Stiff Felt Hats. Mostly German and Austrian.

 

[Mean Eyed Matt]

Matt, Super detection! This solves the issue with these WWII era and earlier no company Wool Hats with similar paper labels and stamps. I always thought that they might come from a Guben source. My guess would be BGH but it could be another factory like C. G. Wilke but I tend to think BGH. The first BGH that you posted is probably 1950s because F. W. Schneider Köln (now Stetson Europe) had the BGH mark. The paper label of that hat has FWS. Thanks regarding the hat!

You're welcome, Steve. That was more of a coincidence, as I came across the Guben crest not too long ago when I compared mine to Stefan's dark blue VEB Guben "Luxus" Homburg and inspected the lining of his hat (first picture above). Surely there are other city coats of arms with 3 towers, but I think Guben - whether BGH or Wilke or something else I dare not decide - is obvious. And as you say, even the later "Cologne" hat still bears the coat of arms - that could actually speak for BGH and against Wilke, who - as far as I know - did not use the city coat of arms, right?

Are there any paper labels inside your hat other than the size label?

 

[mayserwegener]

You're welcome, Steve. That was more of a coincidence, as I came across the Guben crest not too long ago when I compared mine to Stefan's dark blue VEB Guben "Luxus" Homburg and inspected the lining of his hat (first picture above). Surely there are other city coats of arms with 3 towers, but I think Guben - whether BGH or Wilke or something else I dare not decide - is obvious. And as you say, even the later "Cologne" hat still bears the coat of arms - that could actually speak for BGH and against Wilke, who - as far as I know - did not use the city coat of arms, right?

Are there any paper labels inside your hat other than the size label?

Matt, Yes the paper label and inspection stamps are similar to the other hats.

I moved this conversation over to the German & Austrian Hutmacher topic.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/german-austrian-hutmachers.32103/page-457#post-2879714

 

[PanosChris]

Panos, Thank you! I have many old European Soft and Stiff Felt Hats. Mostly German and Austrian.

Old wool hats are great. Unfortunately I haven't managed to get new pics from the ones you sent me (e.g., KAMI) to post them here.

 

[Mean Eyed Matt]

Remember that one?
"Panonia" Hut "Deutsche Wertarbeit" in grey (greenish) thick wool felt; no paper labels

ribbon work reminds me of Steve's "Orion

old pics - sweat cleaned up nicely and is now restiched

"German workmanship"

no linner - but marks of a crease clip

 

[mayserwegener]

Remember that one?
"Panonia" Hut "Deutsche Wertarbeit" in grey (greenish) thick wool felt; no paper labels

ribbon work reminds me of Steve's "Orion

old pics - sweat cleaned up nicely and is now restiched

"German workmanship"

no linner - but marks of a crease clip

Matt, Suoer! Most likely the same source. I am currently traveling but when I am back home I will go over what I have documented on my website.

 

[mayserwegener]

Old wool hats are great. Unfortunately I haven't managed to get new pics from the ones you sent me (e.g., KAMI) to post them here.

Panos, Yes that is a Czech source for Wool Soft Felts. They took over O. F. Hess which also had Fur Felt. B.B. had a Prague factory that made Wool Soft and Stiff Fekt hats. There is info on my website.

 

[mayserwegener]

You're welcome, Steve. That was more of a coincidence, as I came across the Guben crest not too long ago when I compared mine to Stefan's dark blue VEB Guben "Luxus" Homburg and inspected the lining of his hat (first picture above). Surely there are other city coats of arms with 3 towers, but I think Guben - whether BGH or Wilke or something else I dare not decide - is obvious. And as you say, even the later "Cologne" hat still bears the coat of arms - that could actually speak for BGH and against Wilke, who - as far as I know - did not use the city coat of arms, right?

Are there any paper labels inside your hat other than the size label?

Matt, F. W. Schneider Cologne brought back old company marks. This was a common practice for distributors and large retailers. I am not aware of C.G. Wilke Guben using the coat of arms. Probably should check my website.

The components, felt, finishes, paper labels/ stamps and construction are similar with these no company mark German Wool Soft and Stiff Felt Hats. I don't think they are C. G. Wilke Guben. I think there is a good chance they are BGH.

 

[PanosChris]

Remember that one?
"Panonia" Hut "Deutsche Wertarbeit" in grey (greenish) thick wool felt; no paper labels

ribbon work reminds me of Steve's "Orion

old pics - sweat cleaned up nicely and is now restiched

"German workmanship"

no linner - but marks of a crease clip

That one is also fantastic, Matt!

As a side note, the lettering on the sweatband reminded me my "Echter Haarvelour"

And maybe the STECO, "Hora velour"