How to Telescope a Dress Hat

[Benedict]

Kameraden,

I tried the search function but did not arrive at any results that would help me; therefore, my question is: how do I telescope a dress hat myself?

I do not have a dress hat (yet), but am thinking about purchasing an "as issued" one and then telescope it. I know that vendors offer to shape hats in the first place, but the hat I got my sights on at the moment has already crossed the big pond ...

Thank you for all your replies!

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: How to Telescope a Dress Hat

Hi,

I would also like to know how. Thanks.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Re: How to Telescope a Dress Hat

I've had success in this endeavor by heavily steaming the hat until saturated, and then carefully working the crown down into the desired shape and then letting it dry. This can be achieved by having a large pot of boiling water and holding the hat over the steam for several minutes until you feel that it quite damp, inside and out. This takes longer sometimes to do, and be careful not to burn yourself with the hot steam.

[FlatLandFed]

Re: How to Telescope a Dress Hat

Rain storm during At High Tide made my new Bender lid amenable to many plenty forms of personal expression. Steaming might be more effective, more quickly, but being out in the elements seems to work over time. I'm going with just a bit of an inverted telescope look with front "smushed" in a bit for character.

Good luck.
Paul Hadley

[AZReenactor]

Re: How to Telescope a Dress Hat

I decided to telescope my army hat at an event and simply got it wet and folded the sides in as I pushed the top down.

Worked quite well at least until the Sgt asked what I was going to at a dress parade a few months later...

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: How to Telescope a Dress Hat

Hallo!

The last one I did (2001), I simply ran some warm water in the bath tub to several inches deep, filled the hat up with several inches of water, and placed the hat in the tub for a couple of hours.
I then pushed the crown down below the desired height, and pinched and pushed the edge of the crown to get the even depth and width of the "telescope" effect I wanted.
Then I allowed it dry on the bathroom for a day or two.

Oddly, by Luck of the Events, I have not worn it in the rain in those years since- as I believe the "telescope" will fill with water. ;) :)

Curt

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: How to Telescope a Dress Hat

Hi,

Can anyone post a picture of a original or reproduction telescoped Hardee hat. Thanks.

[Rebbeh]

Re: How to Telescope a Dress Hat

Not necessarily a "Hardee", but it is a Bender made telescope crown slouch, in black ;)

The front comes to a tad of an angle, so if it starts raining, and if in fact water DOES start to pool in my hat, I just lean forward, and it pours out like water through a crimped mucket ;)

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: How to Telescope a Dress Hat

Hi,

Thank you very much.

[Benedict]

Re: How to Telescope a Dress Hat

Thank you all, I guess this thread will help future generations as well :D

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: How to Telescope a Dress Hat

Hallo!

"The front comes to a tad of an angle, so if it starts raining, and if in fact water DOES start to pool in my hat, I just lean forward, and it pours out like water through a crimped mucket."

Right into the vent of the cone when trying to prime... ;) :)

Curt
Who was in Munich and Weilheim a few weeks ago but forgot neighboring Benedict's address to knock on his door Mess

[Rebbeh]

Re: How to Telescope a Dress Hat

Luckily, I've never had that problem. Holding the musket to prime the cone for firing leaves it more along the lines of being vertically parallel with my ear, and even then, the musket is close to the body, so the water cascades right past the musket at all times. Usually around the rear barrel band or so.

Guess being only 165lbs, and not being naturally barrel chested really helps keep the powder dry. LOL

[CompanyWag]

Re: How to Telescope a Dress Hat

Hi,

Can anyone post a picture of a original or reproduction telescoped Hardee hat. Thanks.

Try this link:

http://www.historicalimagebank.com/gallery2/main.php/v/album02/album22/album63/CWc37ds_79th_Illinois_hat_copy_001.jpg.html

Nice issued hat from the Army of the Cumberland. A real veteran piece.

Paul McKee

[Benedict]

Re: How to Telescope a Dress Hat

Try this link:

http://www.historicalimagebank.com/gallery2/main.php/v/album02/album22/album63/CWc37ds_79th_Illinois_hat_copy_001.jpg.html

Nice issued hat from the Army of the Cumberland. A real veteran piece.

Paul McKee

Nice! Very good view. Thanks!

[Ryan Halsey]

Re: How to Telescope a Dress Hat

I have some pictures of a telescoped hardee that I bought in April. Use the search function and type in "Federal Headgear." It will be the post by me in the want to buy section. There are three pictures of it. It was made by Tim Bender.