Need a New Hat

S. Quentin Quale, Esq. · December 02, 2011, 09:51:11 AM

I'm in need of a new hat. It will likely have to be custom made. I'm looking for referrals to good makers.

The period I'm interested in is from the end of the SAW to roughly the end of WWI. I portray a Naval Officer who's also a Naval Aviator of that period. The hat in those says was a bellcrown hat (similar to a modern firefighters dress hat).

Attached is a plate showing the various hats. I'm not interested in cocked hat (at least not at this time

).

I know about Dirty Billy in Gettysburg. Are there any other suppliers that might be able to do the job?

Thanks, in advance, for any help.

SQQ

River City John · December 02, 2011, 10:16:36 AM

S & S Firearms have 1905 and 1902 bell crown caps. Is this what you're looking for?

www.ssfirearms.com/proddetail.asp?prod=MH316

RCJ

Major 2 · December 02, 2011, 10:45:02 AM

I was tought, If I had nothing good to say about someone ...say nothing $:-\$

In regards to Dirty Billy.... he does do nice hats... but he's not called Dirty Billy for nothing

customer friendly wise.
I'm just saying

Might try Tim Bender (Hats).... fine hat , fine guy

or Clearwater Hats...

Steel Horse Bailey · December 08, 2011, 10:40:35 AM

Apparently, S&S doesn't believe in pictures. What's the point?!!!

Niederlander · December 08, 2011, 12:01:33 PM

Their catalog (paper) has pictures. They are also on the downloadable catalog. I don't why they haven't put pictures on their online catalog.

Drydock · December 08, 2011, 03:17:14 PM

I have their 1902 hat. Its a very good hat, well worth what they're offering. Download the catalog, its worth it as well.

Pony Racer · December 08, 2011, 08:20:46 PM

I second the niceness of Dirty Billy's hats.

He is very gruff; however, I will say when my hat was not shipped to my new duty station and he found where his "guy" had gotten the updated info - he did send my hat (which had been returned to the store from old residence) 2 day express to my new duty station.

I am hoping to get up to Gettysburg on a day where the retail store is open and just do business with him that way.

The S&S hat looks good!

PR

Drydock · December 08, 2011, 08:42:56 PM

I've got a Dirty Billy Hat. I'm wearing it to the left here. Its a great hat, worth the money and the wait. If you want to deal with him, send in the order, then forget about it. He's a master of his art, and being a crusty SOB seems to come with that territory. Don't try to contact him, ain't worth it. It'll be a nice surprise when it shows up! The S&S hat is a fine substitute until then.

S. Quentin Quale, Esq. · December 09, 2011, 07:37:21 PM

I wish to thank everyone for the information!!!

I downloaded the S&S Catalog some time back and their offering is right now the "front runner." Good to know it is of good quality.

The comments here about Dirty Billy echo what most folks have said about him in other places (outstanding product, poor interpersonal skills). The other two sources recommended don't seem to offer anything from this period. I did not contact them. If they do "off website" work please let me know.

One reason I was looking for a finished product is that I want to make this a hat for an CDR/CAPT. That means embroidery ("scrambled eggs") for the bill. So far I've had no luck finding a quality offering. I've seen a few "add ons" for ball caps but they were not what I'd use on a good, period hat. The design is the same as today, but the size is different because the bill size is different. If I can't find embroidery, or find someone to reproduce it from a photo or even a modern had, I may just have to demote myself.

Again, thank you for the assistance.

SQQ

Drydock · December 09, 2011, 07:41:34 PM

Call (on the phone) the folks at Coon Creek Old West. If he don't have it, he knows where to find it!

cpt dan blodgett · December 09, 2011, 09:02:52 PM

Buck and Leta are the antithesis of Dirty Billy when it comes to customer service.
Perhaps we should take up a collection to send Leta to Gettysburg to give some customer service lessons - what think you all?

Major 2 · December 10, 2011, 06:56:07 AM

I would'nt ask her to waste her time....

DB is the poster child for "ASS HAT" and he wears it so well

S. Quentin Quale, Esq. · December 10, 2011, 08:45:21 AM

Quote from: Drydock on December 09, 2011, 07:41:34 PM
Call (on the phone) the folks at Coon Creek Old West. If he don't have it, he knows where to find it!

Thank you. I'll try them.

I've attached a photo of me in the Aviation Khaki uniform based on the M1912 Marine Corps khaki (from Schipperfabrik). In this version, with this cover, I'm closer to the summer of 1918 (to about 1923) than about anything else. It's still a work in progress.

SQQ

cpt dan blodgett · December 10, 2011, 10:58:42 PM

What pier is the Langley tied to, or is she out at a mooring bouy

S. Quentin Quale, Esq. · December 11, 2011, 09:26:32 AM

Quote from: cpt dan blodgett on December 10, 2011, 10:58:42 PM
What pier is the Langley tied to, or is she out at a mooring bouy

I suspect I shaved with part of her this a.m.

Of course that would mean they salvaged metal from the wreck.

LANGLEY was converted in 1920 as CV-1 and sunk in 1942 while serving as a seaplane tender.

During some research a while back I was surprised at the scope of NavAir during the Great War. There were Naval Air Stations from Italy to Ireland. Some Naval Aviators flew with British squadrons. I don't know of any that few with the French but it might well have happened.

According to lore, the first use of air-ground ordnace from a Naval Aircraft occured during the Occupation of Vera Cruz. LTJG Patrick Bellinger returned from a flight and found bullet holes in his aircraft. He is the first Naval Aviator to actually take fire. He was annoyed an this, but was forbidden by his superiors to carry any weapons or ordiance aloft. So on his next flight he carried a sack containing bars of yellow soap. He "buzzed" the position he thought shot at him and threw cakes of soap at them. I guess you can interpret that on many levels.

If I ever win the lottery I'll get a Jenny and work the airshow circuit.

SQQ

cpt dan blodgett · December 11, 2011, 07:57:19 PM

Your handle would not have anything to do with a Gary Puckett and the union gap song from back around 67-68 would it or a 63 Bobby Vee hiit with a Steve Lawrence and Carole King Song would it?

S. Quentin Quale, Esq. · December 12, 2011, 02:54:29 PM

Quote from: cpt dan blodgett on December 11, 2011, 07:57:19 PM
Your handle would not have anything to do with a Gary Puckett and the union gap song from back around 67-68 would it or a 63 Bobby Vee hiit with a Steve Lawrence and Carole King Song would it?

No, Sir, I'm a Dedicated Marxist. I've studied the writings of Groucho, and Chico extensively. Karl and Harpo, not so much!!!!!

SQQ