How can I shrink a fur felt hat one size?

[Jubal Starbuck]

   A neighbor of mine gave me a new in the box 10X Stetson made in the sixties, I think he said, that moths or something had ruined the brim on.  I trimmed off the damaged part and made it look like kind of a high crowned derby, but the hat is a 7 3/8 and I were a 7 1/4 normally.  Is there a way to shrink it a size, or is this one destined to be turned into cap & ball revolver wads a la Elmer Keith? 
Wearing a bandanna under it helps, but still a mite sloppy.

[St. George]

This is a question best posed for Delmonico - and I'm sure he'll be replying soon.

For the moment - put away the bandana, and slip a piece of thin insulation foam behind the sweatband in a couple of strategic places, and it'll be fine.

If you 'want' the high-crowned derby look - you can steam it into position, and that will help with the sizing as well.

Good Luck!

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[LoneRider]

Put it in your car/truck for a few days....it'll shrink

[Delmonico]

Put it in your car/truck for a few days....it'll shrink

And it won't even be woth cap and ball wads because it does a lot of damage.

St. George has it right, I have a big roll of that in my hat island with my other goodies.   I hate to do it though, because it collects moisture and sweat bands go bad quick enough.  One should turn the sweat band out on a damp hat anyway. 

[Jubal Starbuck]

  Thank you , gentlemen, for your helpful information.

[GunClick Rick]

Your a great man! The girls say your cute as a june bug,you ride tall in the saddle,your one to ride the river with...

There that should help your head swell up then the hat will fit.

Jubal Jubal Jubal

[Jubal Starbuck]

    Rick:

    In the words of the Comanche chief Ten Bears in "The Outlaw Josey Wales"  "There is much iron in your words!"
  Discovered the danged hat is a 7 5/8 instead of 7 3/8, as previously stated, and I need a 7 1/4, so my head still rattles around inside it like a pea in a whistle!  Maybe I'll wait til winter and wear a stocking cap under it!

[maarty]

Sell it to me, every hat I buy seems to shrink at least that much in shipping.

[TwoWalks Baldridge]

One trick I learned when getting a hat that was too big and wanted a good fit ... Trade. 

[River City John]

Sell it to me, every hat I buy seems to shrink at least that much in shipping.