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Eastman B-1 Cap win
- Thread starter deand
- Start date
deand
Active Member
Yeah. Not fair to the larger sizes, agreed! If I had the time, material, pattern, equipment, and ability, I'd make repro caps from scratch to fit anyone. I mean it. I would. And I'd love doing it. Had some communication with the seller. His father was an AAF mechanic. Seems like a great guy. Invited him to ask to join the forum. I'm pretty sure that cap is next to brand new new, just like he said.
dean
dean
Great hat for sure! Hope it fits well enough. Don't paint it though.
Out of curiosity, how much would one charge for such a hat if all the conditions were met? I bet once you made a couple, you would change your mind. If I may venture way out on a rant(if your up for the read)...... not intending to be inflammatory and certainly not belittling, but there is a lot going into such a seemingly simple item that, without huge economies of scale(and considerable sales to match), would kill the "happy" part quickly. Just speaking as a former small business owner and fabricator in many other hobbies with many, many offers of such a custom "job". 'Aint always what it's cracked up to be. What if you could get those down to 1 1/2 hours each (seriously doubt it without a line) including cutting parts, assembling, etc. Try this using even "wrong" material just for a trial. Not to mention time procuring the proper materials (10oz gabardine wool in the right color doesn't grow on trees). What's left over after materials, supplies, and equipment is an hourly wage of less than $10 and a sore back and hands..... and a growing dislike of such projects. Even assuming sales for an item you would have to overprice (likely twice what Eastman charges), you'll undoubtedly get a few difficult customers and you are quite awakened. There is no way to anticipate the ways customers will take a simple issue and make it impossible. One redo, extra two-way mail charge, and profit is gone. Then it will be returned again. Trust me(some are laughing in agreement right now). Also, you spend the first part of production sifting through and trialing materials, inching your way to a closer authenticity, all the time leaving early customers with your costliest items yet something you feel later you could now improve upon, both in skills and new-found materials.
Sometimes, even on paper, it looks promising but ask Diamond and the others that make garments on here, there isn't much profit if not just from the time commitment - the one expense undervalued by most - initially by makers and almost always by buyers. I have had this type of discussion numerous times and the only ones who think I'm overly negative about it are those who have never tried such a venture.
Sorry to get off topic but would like to see what is thought about such items and what goes into them.
Just saying.
Love the hat and it does look pretty much like my authentic one. Mine doesn't have the stamp though. Should look spot on with an A-2. Grab some khakis and head on out!
Dave
Out of curiosity, how much would one charge for such a hat if all the conditions were met? I bet once you made a couple, you would change your mind. If I may venture way out on a rant(if your up for the read)...... not intending to be inflammatory and certainly not belittling, but there is a lot going into such a seemingly simple item that, without huge economies of scale(and considerable sales to match), would kill the "happy" part quickly. Just speaking as a former small business owner and fabricator in many other hobbies with many, many offers of such a custom "job". 'Aint always what it's cracked up to be. What if you could get those down to 1 1/2 hours each (seriously doubt it without a line) including cutting parts, assembling, etc. Try this using even "wrong" material just for a trial. Not to mention time procuring the proper materials (10oz gabardine wool in the right color doesn't grow on trees). What's left over after materials, supplies, and equipment is an hourly wage of less than $10 and a sore back and hands..... and a growing dislike of such projects. Even assuming sales for an item you would have to overprice (likely twice what Eastman charges), you'll undoubtedly get a few difficult customers and you are quite awakened. There is no way to anticipate the ways customers will take a simple issue and make it impossible. One redo, extra two-way mail charge, and profit is gone. Then it will be returned again. Trust me(some are laughing in agreement right now). Also, you spend the first part of production sifting through and trialing materials, inching your way to a closer authenticity, all the time leaving early customers with your costliest items yet something you feel later you could now improve upon, both in skills and new-found materials.
Sometimes, even on paper, it looks promising but ask Diamond and the others that make garments on here, there isn't much profit if not just from the time commitment - the one expense undervalued by most - initially by makers and almost always by buyers. I have had this type of discussion numerous times and the only ones who think I'm overly negative about it are those who have never tried such a venture.
Sorry to get off topic but would like to see what is thought about such items and what goes into them.
Just saying.
Love the hat and it does look pretty much like my authentic one. Mine doesn't have the stamp though. Should look spot on with an A-2. Grab some khakis and head on out!
Dave
deand
Active Member
Indeed, reproduction of such caps is beyond my ability and I really have no idea of the challenges and complexities of the reality. I think your "rant", Dave, was actually very interesting, and I learned quite a bit from it. Dreams often are just that, a fantasy that never translates into a reality. I think I would have to work with someone, for starters, to ever see such a concept have even a chance to succeed. Thanks for your interest and input. Much appreciated! AND BTW, no paint will ever get near this one. 
dean
dean
watchmanjimg
Well-Known Member
Are we so sure it's a repro? Google Premium Cap Co. and you'll get a ton of hits showing original WW2 headgear by this maker. Maybe this was just an especially lucky score for Dean.
deand
Active Member
Love to see the pics, Dave. As far as I can tell, those Korean War Air Crew caps must have some design linage to the B-1, the construction in the body of the cap is so similar, though visor shapes vary a bit. Looks the the Japanese tailors felt compelled to line their caps, though.
dean
dean
Weasel_Loader
Active Member
watchmanjimg said:Are we so sure it's a repro? Google Premium Cap Co. and you'll get a ton of hits showing original WW2 headgear by this maker. Maybe this was just an especially lucky score for Dean.
I thought I was the only one that was thinking this also. Sure does look the part without doing any research on my end as I know nothing about hats.
watchmanjimg
Well-Known Member
deand said:
According to the label, Premium Cap Co. made it.
Seriously, I'm surprised that no one here pegged it immediately as a repro if that's what it is. I took a quick look and caps produced by the usual suspects are readily distinguishable from yours.
I suggest we assume that it's original until proven otherwise.
