I got this vintage suit in today. In the pocket was a letter from the original owner’s wife dated 1947. The original owner’s armed services honorable discharge pin is still on the lapel. I’m not clear on whether this suit is pre-war or immediately post-war, but it seems that it hasn’t been worn in 65 years.
If I had just seen the jacket of this, I would never have thought “suit”. The cut is classic sportswear, with a short body, button adjusters on the sides, an open collar and double buttoned waistband. The heavy material puts it squarely into the realm of someone who spends a lot of time out of doors. A real workwear look, especially with the construction of the pockets. Like some leather jackets of the period, there are suit style buttons on the sleeves. I would almost expect some sort of belted or sunburst pleated back on it, but other than the adjusters, it is just plain.
This Eisenhower style jacket is unlined, with serged seams and a cotton reinforcement panel at the bottom edge.
Now here’s where things really get interesting. It’s a suit! It has a button fly, wide fancy western style belt loops to accommodate a wide western belt. Watch pocket, and western style pockets.
Made by Allen Brand
Stockman’s Garments
Denver, CO
Western Made for the Westerner
The jacket still bears the original owner’s ruptured duck discharge pin and American Legion pin
Details of the Pocket and Cuff
This vintage fedora was made in the 1950s by the Bossay Hat Company of Pampa, Texas. It conforms closely to the lines of the Open Road or Stratoliner style, with fedora blocking and flanging, a thin ribbon with a western style bow and thin binding It is creased with a teardrop crown. There is a wind string and button. There are several stains to the felt, and the sweatband has hardened and has cracking. It is interesting to note that the sweatband is unreeed and has a taped rear sweatband seam, something which by the time frame this hat was made had largely been abandoned by the larger makers.
Size: 7-1/8Brim Width: 2-3/4″Crown Height: 5-3/4″
1950s/1960s Shudde Bros. Custom beaver cowboy hat and a ’40s leather jacket.
Harland Sanders may have made him his signature look, but don’t let that limit you. These western style bow ties can be pretty hip in a neo-victorian sort of way.
And then there are these. I don’t quite know what to make of them. Somewhere between a bow tie, a string tie and a long necktie. Cool western branding iron graphics, but I don’t know whether that redeems the design itself. A matched set, so they could look good for a western swing band or something of that sort.
Now on eBay! LINK
This hat was made in the 1950s by Portis. It sold new in the 1950s for $15, which bought a high quality hat at the time. It is marked 2X beaver, but the X system is meaningless, as it varies manufacturer to manufacturer and year to year- that is to say, a vintage 2X by one manufacturer could be the same quality as a vintage 5X by a different manufacturer as a 30X by a modern manufacturer. It has Portis’s Swans Down finish. It has a high quality leather sweatband with a backing membrane to stop perspiration from staining the felt. It has a relatively low crown, which is creased in a fedora style diamond crease. It has a three cord ribbon with a fancy bow. Very nicely done trimming on this one.Size: 7-1/8Brim Width: 3-1/4″Crown Height: 5-1/4″Ribbon Width: 3/8″
Now on eBay! LINK
This vintage cowboy hat was made in the 1960s by Eddy brothers of California. It is marked a 5X beaver quality. The X system is, unfortunately entirely meaningless, as it differs wildly manufacturer to manufacturer, model to model and year to year. It is marked “water repellent” and has a red liner. The felt has stains, pen marks, a few small moth bites, and it looks like someone had a pin in the front of the crown. It has a two cord band, a flat brim and a cattleman’s crease.
Size: 7-1/8
Brim Width: 3″
Band Width: 1/4″
Crown Height: 5-3/4″
Various styles of cowboy boots, from LIFE magazine.
When this hat was made in the early 1960s, it cost a whopping $100. Theses Stetsons came in custom leather cases and had the best pure beaver fur felt. Truly top of the line.
A later 7X (non clear beaver) Stetson. Nowhere near as good as the Clear Beaver marked models.
Vintage-Haberdashers Blog 