I have been trying to find a correct period hat and while I have found some the prices are astronomical for what it is.

I had heard that period hats were made almost exclusively with animal felt, primarily beaver, but were there exceptions?  Were wool felt hats available?  If so, how would they have handled waterproofing?

I ask because wool felt is maybe 10% of the price of beaver felt and true 100% beaver felt hats are not common, most are a blend.

The answer to your questions is yes.
And don't worry too much about waterproofing or style. Most hats became a shapeless mass atop the head in a very short time.

Generally, if your occupation had you outdoors alot, the brims were wider and hat was shaped by hardship and abuse. Sweat stained. Horse trampled.
If you're a Townie, brims tended to be narrower and hats were maintained close to the condition when you walked out of the Dry Goods store after purchasing. Appearances, you know.
The Old West was filled with immigrants, and the wheel cap, or similar, was adopted from the old country and popular, especially if occupation was working in cramped spaces, like miners or shop workers. Your cap could be stuffed into your pocket when removed.
You can still find hats or fedoras from the 40's and 50's in Goodwill that can be reshaped easily. Estate sales, garage  sales, etc.
Also, as you attend more events you'll have the opportunity to upgrade headwear as fellow shooters retire items out of their wardrobe.
.

As I said before, I've got 14 hats and I didn't pay over $50 for any of them.  Shop around for used and clearance.

Suggest searching your area for any stores that cater to Amish or Mennonite customers. Won't have a wide selection of colors and styles, but basic black with an appropriate flat brim and fully rounded crown priced between $45-$99. The $99 hat was particularly fetching, but I have a similar hat already. However,  I did pick out a slightly modern business style which I've already reshaped (steam & hand work) into a pork pie -$22 plus 15  minutes of my work. Any basic hats you'll find there can be reshaped with steam to emulate authentic types.

The Mennonite's in my area wear John Deer baseball caps     

Quote from: Tascosa Joe on December 06, 2024, 10:56:13 AMThe Mennonite's in my area wear John Deer baseball caps     

Those are period correct.
Just the wrong period.

Ya, and to be sure..one should look into the nearest store catering to the Amish. I saw a very nice quality flat brim ready to go at $100. Others that can be easily be reshaped into useable styles for as little as $25.

Regards,
Slim

Buying a Hat is an arguably singular personal decision.
I mean by that, how "You" in vision yourself looking...

Part Fad, part fashion, part utility but in the end does it look good on you.
I have friend that can look the part no matter what hat he try's on... 

He's of Polish descent; I mention that because He once put on a WW II Japanese
Officer field cap, and even with his European features, danged if he didn't look Japanese. 

In my case, a round face of Welsh/Scot ancestry finding a hat I liked but also like me so to speak.
I found the FLAT Cap suits, and they are of the time period.
However, they don't necessarily appear old west.

As an old movie quote stated " it just doesn't sing "

I would suggest you search the period photo's (like the ones River City John posted)
  Then maybe, peruse, Goodwill online shopping or EBay.

One the other hand, if you are a clothes horse, and something expensive is your style
this is of little help.
You need to go to a Hatter, and have them style a blank to suit, they have that knowledge.
It will be both an experience and a wallet hit.

I wear a flat cap, AKA Baker Boy, the style can be traced back to the 16th century in Northern England.

 

 

 

Hey Slim!! 

How the heck are ya and how have ya been???  Haven't actually heard from ya in a while.  Nice to see your stuff again you betcha!!

Speaking of hats, just prior to leaving Denver Colorado when I retired the second time, I "New" western hat store opened in Denver's Cherry Creek Mall.  That's where we went to watch the Rich and Famous Shop.  Anyway, the cheapest Western Style/Cowboy/Rodeo hat they offered, was well priced at $350.00 bucks.  I almost needed CPR.  I do admit though, I did spring for a really nice custom fit hat for a hundred bucks.  From a much more reasonably priced Western Store.  I have a bunch of much more reasonable hats for the odd monthly match though.  Expecel my swell SteamPunk Hat.  Too KOOL for SKULE!!

I realize my eloquent dissertation has no useful information for the OP or anyone else, but it Friday morning and Mouse Safari is at an end and return home is imminent.  I'm bored as well so here it is.  Some swell Friday morning unless Trivia for those also looking for some easy reading.  If in fact, you're reading this missive, it's too late.  You're here already and can't go back.  No real earthshaking information so "Suck it up Buttercup" and I'll see if I can come up with something worthwhile sooner.  Burma Shame 

A hat is a piece of equipment, more important than any other.  Keeps you cool, keeps you warm, keeps the sun off.  Buy the best hat you can afford.  The more beaver, the better.  An all beaver hat is a lifetime investment.  It can be rebuilt and reshaped ad infinitum.  D bar J often has full (100%) beaver seconds for a fraction of the cost of first line hats.  These are built on the same beaver blanks that go into first cabin hats.  One of those will be your best friend over time.

Quote from: August on December 13, 2024, 02:48:38 PM"The more beaver, the better." 

Well, I can't argue with that !

"Save a tree; eat a beaver!"   

Are hatters even still using beaver or is it nutria now?

Quote from: Coffinmaker on December 13, 2024, 09:02:11 AM Hey Slim!! 

How the heck are ya and how have ya been???  Haven't actually heard from ya in a while.  Nice to see your stuff again you betcha!!

Howdy back coffinmaker!! Long story short - I'm not dead😆 as an infamous orator says - not hyperbole!😅 I'm now almost 1-yr out from my proposed expiration date & supposedly cancer free. Spending more of my time outdoors this year & currently doing a little deer hunting with some favorite fire sticks.

Hope your well! Til next time,
Regards,
Slim

Quote from: Abilene on December 13, 2024, 06:27:24 PMAre hatters even still using beaver or is it nutria now?

Absolutely, I just got a new 100X pure beaver a couple years ago. Custom hatter is the only way I know to get one though and grab your wallet.

So....did you not know there is NO requirement for head wear of any kind in the Rules and Regulations: approved lists or un-approved lists or anywhere in NCOWS. Just as RCJ has posted period photographs of 'real'period correct people of the day; not everyone has a head cover. My favorite large format reference book of Mathew Brady's photographic works oddly enough rarely exhibits head coverings on everyone photographed. What head-ware I choose is more of a firing line personal safety issue. Nobody likes a screaming ass HOT piece of black powder discharged brass flipping down their shirt collar. Tends to make one dance about in a not so safe prancing with loaded weapons. Although such gyrations are most amusing.