An old coot and an old HJ

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 5:27 pm

Thought I would post a pic of me at work, but mostly to just show off the a vintage HJ that I am rather fond of wearing. I just bought this one from a lurker, and it came with a 3 x 2 3/4 brim. A bit larger on the sides than I normally wear, but I like it. Also, I am wearing my Real McCoys horsehide A-2 jacket complete with Flying Tiger patches. I have been wearing it constantly to break in this great horsehide. I even slept in it one night to speed up the process. From the looks of it, it may take a few years to break it in right. regards, Fedorahttp://public.fotki.com/Fedora/hats/me_ ... tshop.html

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 5:42 pm

That's a nice lid Steve, but personally, I prefer yours!

I remember when you bought that jacket. I'm glad it's breaking in.
You should post a picture where we can see the entire jacket.
Very nice!

Antone · Post by **Antone** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 6:11 pm

So is that actually a hat that was made with the original Raiders block, or did you reblock that one? How much have you modified it? In any case it looks great, could have been swiped off the set from the look of it. The brim looks perfect in proportion to the rest of the hat!

Out of curiosity, do you know if many of the original HJ Raiders design hats were sold in the early eighties while they were still making them? Or did it take a few years for demand to pick up?

Antone

Canyon · Post by **Canyon** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 6:20 pm

Steve, great picture! Love that fedora.

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 6:24 pm

I looked long and hard at the photo, Fedora....and you're absolutely correct......it IS of an old coot!

High regards, old friend!!

Michaelson

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 6:36 pm

Michaelson wrote:I looked long and hard at the photo, Fedora....and you're absolutely correct......it IS of an old coot!

High regards, old friend!!

Michaelson

Yea, but that old coot sure knows how to make a hat!

That is one great looking HJ Steve!

Erri · Post by **Erri** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 6:37 pm

It's great to see you Steve sometimes!!

Thanks for sharing the pics! The second one reminds me of the cairo look. Tell us more and SHOW us more!!

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 6:37 pm

J_Weaver, if you want to find something to argue about, you're sure going to need to find another subject!

Regard! Michaelson

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 8:16 pm

I think I can see hints of the mushroom reverse taper there. Personally, I think the brim looks great!

All in all, a good looking HJ.

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 8:37 pm

Michaelson wrote:J_Weaver, if you want to find something to argue about, you're sure going to need to find another subject!

Regard! Michaelson

Darn tootin!

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 9:45 pm

Looks nice, Steve. Any idea what year it was made?

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 11:11 pm

I looked long and hard at the photo, Fedora....and you're absolutely correct......it IS of an old coot!

Yes, and that is from one old coot to another!

Yeah, guys and gals, I will be the big 54 this coming year!! But, we have a couple of guys older that hang out here.

I am still a kid at heart though, and hope I never lose that like some old fogey's that I have known!!

I will check the sweat in that HJ and see where the store was when the hat was made. That might narrow it down. That is the stock block, and I have done nothing to it but change out the washed out ribbon. It was a smidgen over 1 3/4, so it must be metric. I hated to do it, but this hat was already an Indy fedora. The brim cut looks like Swales did it, with the little bumps, and they are not as noticable as some that I have seen. The hat came with no liner, and no sticker on the inside crown. I did find traces of a liner once being there though. A couple of white threads on the inside where the liner was sewn it at one time. This hat is rabbit, or perhaps a blend, and is very soft, but not too soft. The brim is real floppy too, so there is not much stiffener in this hat at all. The factory curl had relaxed at some point, and it has none in it at all. I may add just a bit on the very back. This is the some of the best, older felt that I have seen from HJ. So, it is probably before Raiders was made. Just guessing, going by the vintage look and feel of the felt. But, I really do not know when HJ started using lessor quality felt. At any rate, this one is a keeper, and it was worth the AB that I traded for it. Fedora

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 1:08 am

Looks good on you my friend!

Good to see that you finally found your personal holy grail.

Regards,

Marc

Indycraze71 · Post by **Indycraze71** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 1:45 am

It looks great on you Steve, but then just about every hat I've seen you in does. Congrats on your find!

By the way did I get on your list for a SOC AB???

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 8:20 am

That is a nice looking HJ! Though it wasn't my HJ (I would've held onto it

) I'm glad the trade worked out and that this particular HJ has a good home with you.

bink

Dakota Ellison · Post by **Dakota Ellison** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 2:34 pm

So, does this good looking hat have 38 New Bond or 13 Burlington or 10 Old Bond or 54 St. James on the sweat? If Swales did the cut does that put the hat post Indy or not? I take it this not the hat the guy was gonna show you in Atlanta.
Regards,
Older Coot

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 4:16 pm

The sweat has the 38 New Bond address. You recall what years they were there Dakota? This hat is too well made to be of the newer HJs. Oh, no this is not the infamous HJ that I talked about earlier this year. Still no word back from the guy. I sent him a hat, just for the viewing, so I guess his head is warm.

Fedora

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 4:17 pm

Geez, the least he can do is send you a postcard, Steve. Maybe the guy is full of it and doesn't really have the hat he says he has...

Dakota Ellison · Post by **Dakota Ellison** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 5:45 pm

They were at 38 New Bond til 1965 when they moved to 13 Burlington, but they used the older liners and sweats til they ran out, which is why the tag in my old HJ said 1972 but had the older liner, according to Mr. Swales. I don't know when they moved to 38 but it had to have been the early 20th century.

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 6:20 pm

They were at 38 New Bond til 1965 when they moved to 13 Burlington, but they used the older liners and sweats til they ran out, which is why the tag in my old HJ said 1972 but had the older liner, according to Mr. Swales. I don't know when they moved to 38 but it had to have been the early 20th century.

Man, you know your HJ material, doncha?

Good man.

Prof. Ed · Post by **Prof. Ed** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 6:57 pm

Fedora wrote:
I looked long and hard at the photo, Fedora....and you're absolutely correct......it IS of an old coot!

Yes, and that is from one old coot to another!

Yeah, guys and gals, I will be the big 54 this coming year!! But, we have a couple of guys older that hang out here.

Yep, Fedora got you beat by four years.
Now, that I've been clean shaven for 18 hours, I don't look as old

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 8:13 pm

Ed, it ain't the years, it's the milage, but you should have learned that by now.

Regards! Michaelson

Antone · Post by **Antone** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 8:28 pm

Michaelson wrote:I looked long and hard at the photo, Fedora....and you're absolutely correct......it IS of an old coot!

Please, use the correct terminology; this thread should have been called "A vintage hatmaker in a vintage hat."

Antone

IndianaWill · Post by **IndianaWill** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 9:11 pm

I think that they are saying, some of us are vintage! Well!!!

Thanks guys! One day you will be there..... Steve is right were still young a heart. Your as young as you want to be.....

I see that HJ Fedora, is of the heavy weight variety. That is what I see in the photo. It looks alot thicker, than what is made today. (Pre Raiders).

I'm 56......My bithhdays are now going in reverse....

LOL.

That pre Raiders sure looks good!
I really like my 1920's 100% Beaver Mercury Felt (Raiders) The only time I take it off is when I take a shower, or go to bed......My wife says, I'll probably die with it on.. Thanks again Steve. From one old coot to another..

You all Have a Great Day!! And Have a Very Merry Christmas!!

IndianaWill

Dakota Ellison · Post by **Dakota Ellison** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 9:35 pm

Four guys over 50 in one string. Must be a first! I don't feel so old for a change.

Indyjim · Post by **Indyjim** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 9:42 pm

Make that 5! Looks like this is the old coots thread. Since we're tellin', I'm smack dab in the mid fifties, 55 to be exact. Most people don't believe it, say I'm late 40's at most. BTW, Fedora, that is a great looking hat, but I have to agree with Hemingway, I like yours better.

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 10:36 pm

I'm 33 but I feel like I'll be 50 tomorrow. Does that count?

Prof. Ed · Post by **Prof. Ed** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 10:39 pm

agent5 wrote:I'm 33 but I feel like I'll be 50 tomorrow. Does that count?

We need to take a poll!

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 11:55 am

They were at 38 New Bond til 1965 when they moved to 13 Burlington, but they used the older liners and sweats til they ran out, which is why the tag in my old HJ said 1972 but had the older liner, according to Mr. Swales. I don't know when they moved to 38 but it had to have been the early 20th century.
_________________

I knew you would know!!! And, I had forgotten about HJ using up existing liners and sweats! But those are facts per Mr Swales, I think.

Nice to see we have a few of the oldtimers here!! But, we have quite a few more too. It ain't so bad though, as we can get 25 cent coffee at McDonalds.

I would not accept the discount until recently, eventhough the teenager kept trying to push it on me!! I finally relented, but it still feels odd to say........I'd like a coffee please, with the senior citizen discount.

If I feel like a senior at all, it is a senior in high school!

Well, once or twice a year, at any rate. Fedora

Prof. Ed · Post by **Prof. Ed** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 12:09 pm

We need our own chapter of "The Grey Panthers!"

Dakota Ellison · Post by **Dakota Ellison** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 2:34 pm

New Indygear item. The eye patch for the "Old Indy" Look.

Indyjim · Post by **Indyjim** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 3:43 pm

"Seasoned citizen", Fedora, seasoned, not senior.

Hey, I joined AARP, saved BIG bucks at my hotel on vacation. It has its advantages.

New Indygear item. The eye patch for the "Old Indy" Look.

How about orthopedic Aldens?

Prof. Ed · Post by **Prof. Ed** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 4:43 pm

The Alden's are already orthopedic, as far as I know.

Indyjim · Post by **Indyjim** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 5:06 pm

Good point, Ed! After 50, the mind goes

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 8:58 pm

New Indygear item. The eye patch for the "Old Indy" Look.
_________________

$\:D/$ Hmmm. Anyone know where I can get one, accurate? I need two, one for each eye. I could rotate them, and use them as a Optometrist tool, making the opposing eye stronger, switching every day or so. Might be able to throw away my reading glasses in a few months!

Then, both could be used to block out the light on those nights when it is hard to sleep. I think I just found some reasons to own them.

Fedora

Antone · Post by **Antone** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 3:46 am

Dakota Ellison wrote:New Indygear item. The eye patch for the "Old Indy" Look.

I think you can find them in...um...Daviana Jones' locker...?

Antone