From my great uncle, this hat was made in calgary around 100 years ago and it’s done the chilkoot trail, paddled to dawson city, has surely been stomped into cow shit before, etc
Yes my uncle killed that bear with his bare fists
Have you considered changing the size of your head with experimental surgery?
nothing a belt grinder can’t fix
You have to be careful, most heads are covered by only a veneer of hard outer shell before you hit the gooey center. Find someone with experience. Head resizing is very much a “you just have to have a feel for it” kind of art, not an exact science.
Take it to a western wear store that has a hat section. One of the guys there would probably do it for the story
“So this guy came in and I stretched his hat.”
Maybe take it to a pro, I wouldn’t trust myself to do it 😅
Have a chat with your local milliner (hat maker). They should have the skill and equipment to stretch it safely. Eg, Liza Steadman if you’re in Victoria Australia.
my greatest fear is being in Victoria Australia with no hat to stretch
Now at least you’ll know Liza Steadman has what it takes if you’re ever hard up for a good stretching. I like the sound of this gal.
Go to your local gun show, rodeo, or any expo/convention/event where rednecks congregate. I guarantee you’ll find a vendor selling hats who is willing to adjust yours for a fee. As others have pointed out, you need a specialized machine and a shitload of steam.
Hat blocking, because they use wooden blocks to shape the hats.
Or on a budget, just wear it into the sauna at your local gym.
I imagine (as in I’m not sure) that if you try to do it yourself you might tear it around the area where it looks like some dirt has soaked in and provided a foothold for mould to grow from. I suspect that area is very fragile rn.
Personally, given it’s age, I would ask for advice from a museum on the best ways to clean and care for it and ask them if it’s possible for it to be reshaped to fit you.
Reduce size of head.
I think they use steam but I would take it to a professional.
Take it to Cavender’s or somewhere similar and see if they can stretch it for you. l
Slowly. They make hat stretchers. Probably want to make sure the material is well hydrated. I’d do it carefully over several weeks or months, maybe misting it with some water.
There’s hat stretchers you can buy online. That, in combination with heat will get it on your head.
Steam.
