The Open Road Guild

[Hurricane Jack]

I’ve been on an Open Road kick lately. I’m sure I’ve documented this one in this thread before, but here she is again. An OPS Era in Royal DeLuxe. Not sure what this color was called but maybe someone here could enlighten me. It’s a steel blue/gray color. The crown is about 4 3/8” at the front as creased and with a 2 5/8” brim. View attachment 817705 View attachment 817706 View attachment 817707 View attachment 817708 View attachment 817709 View attachment 817710 View attachment 817711 View attachment 817714

I had a theory once that the 2.625” brim was found mostly on RD’s (& in the Eastern US). But the theory couldn’t be proven now anyway. Nice OR!

 

[hambone71]

I had a theory once that the 2.625” brim was found mostly on RD’s (& in the Eastern US). But the theory couldn’t be proven now anyway. Nice OR!

Very interesting theory! Yesterday’s hat was a RD in silverbelly. I’ll have to measure that brim and see what it is. Of course it’s 8-10 years younger than this OPS one. Thanks for the comments! You have some real dandy’s in your collection and I take great pleasure in admiring them!

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Very interesting theory! Yesterday’s hat was a RD in silverbelly. I’ll have to measure that brim and see what it is. Of course it’s 8-10 years younger than this OPS one. Thanks for the comments! You have some real dandy’s in your collection and I take great pleasure in admiring them!

Thank you! I also thought the RD’s likely got more wind trolleys.

 

[Adman256]

That’s a fine looking hat.

 

[hambone71]

That’s a fine looking hat.

Thank you, sir!

 

[hambone71]

I took a little time this morning and dug out all my ORs, save for the one straw one, and took a couple group pics to catalog them all in one photo.

Bottom row L to R: Modern 160th Anniversary, Late 50s/Early 60s RD, Late 50s/Early 60s Sovereign Twenty
Top row L to R: Early 50s 7XCB, Early 50s 3X, Late 50s/Early 60s 3X, OPS RD.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

I took a little time this morning and dug out all my ORs,

First BB did that, now you. That’s a lot of work! Nice grouping.

 

[hambone71]

First BB did that, now you. That’s a lot of work! Nice grouping.

Thanks, HJ! It needed to be done. Until today, I don’t think I’ve ever had more than two of those ORs out of the box at the same time.

 

[Bamaboots]

I think the RD version of the OR is a great weight and maybe my favorite. One of them, anyway. This one is mid 50’s in Sky Gray.

 

[Rmccamey]

Mighty purdy, gents!

I’ve been on an Open Road kick lately. I’m sure I’ve documented this one in this thread before, but here she is again. An OPS Era in Royal DeLuxe. Not sure what this color was called but maybe someone here could enlighten me. It’s a steel blue/gray color. The crown is about 4 3/8” at the front as creased and with a 2 5/8” brim. View attachment 817705 View attachment 817706 View attachment 817707 View attachment 817708 View attachment 817709 View attachment 817710 View attachment 817711 View attachment 817714

I think the RD version of the OR is a great weight and maybe my favorite. One of them, anyway. This one is mid 50’s in Sky Gray.
View attachment 817860 View attachment 817861 View attachment 817862 View attachment 817863 View attachment 817864 View attachment 817865 View attachment 817866

 

[Bamaboots]

Mighty purdy, gents!

Thank you, Randy.

 

[moontheloon]

A very light restoration on a hat that I took a chance on.
The sellers photos of this 3X showed a grime that I wasn't sure I could get out around the brim and on the sweatband.
To remove the grime on the brim I first used some packing tape which surprisingly took off a nice top layer then lightly sanded the rest with 400 grit sandpaper... then a hat sponge and finally brushing.
Came out beautiful.
For the sweatband... after realizing the build up was a bit too stubborn for a damp paper towel I moved to some Chamberlain's Leather Milk cleaner... which took it right off.
Then followed that with chamberlain's leather liniment.
The sweatband is like new.
There was a gorgeous 3X Open Road under the years of grime.
I'm glad I took that chance on a hat that the seller was zero help able to answer no questions at all... which is fine.
I chalk this up as a win.
Saving the world one hat at a time.

 

[jeffgarf]

A very light restoration on a hat that I took a chance on.
The sellers photos of this 3X showed a grime that I wasn't sure I could get out around the brim and on the sweatband.
To remove the grime on the brim I first used some packing tape which surprisingly took off a nice top layer then lightly sanded the rest with 400 grit sandpaper... then a hat sponge and finally brushing.
Came out beautiful.
For the sweatband... after realizing the build up was a bit too stubborn for a damp paper towel I moved to some Chamberlain's Leather Milk cleaner... which took it right off.
Then followed that with chamberlain's leather liniment.
The sweatband is like new.
There was a gorgeous 3X Open Road under the years of grime.
I'm glad I took that chance on a hat that the seller was zero help able to answer no questions at all... which is fine.
I chalk this up as a win.
Saving the world one hat at a time. View attachment 818199 View attachment 818200 View attachment 818201 View attachment 818202 View attachment 818203 View attachment 818204 View attachment 818205

Fantastic restoration.

 

[EL-Jimenez74]

A very light restoration on a hat that I took a chance on.
The sellers photos of this 3X showed a grime that I wasn't sure I could get out around the brim and on the sweatband.
To remove the grime on the brim I first used some packing tape which surprisingly took off a nice top layer then lightly sanded the rest with 400 grit sandpaper... then a hat sponge and finally brushing.
Came out beautiful.
For the sweatband... after realizing the build up was a bit too stubborn for a damp paper towel I moved to some Chamberlain's Leather Milk cleaner... which took it right off.
Then followed that with chamberlain's leather liniment.
The sweatband is like new.
There was a gorgeous 3X Open Road under the years of grime.
I'm glad I took that chance on a hat that the seller was zero help able to answer no questions at all... which is fine.
I chalk this up as a win.
Saving the world one hat at a time. View attachment 818199 View attachment 818200 View attachment 818201 View attachment 818202 View attachment 818203 View attachment 818204 View attachment 818205

Wow, came out fantastic!!!