Dirty Billy's Hats — Local services in Gettysburg

My essay is much too long for the review box so see my attached images for the full write up.

I reached out to him earlier this year, of which took multiple attempts over a couple weeks (they're only open on weekends, weekends are our busy days at the museum) to actually get to speak to him on the phone. Usually it was a woman who said he was out or with a customer and asked me to leave a number for him to call back which he never did. Nevertheless I actually got him on the second week of calling. We spoke for a few minutes about the different blocks he had and explained how I had a 100% beaver body from Winchester that was untouched and just needed blocking and finishing (this is all standard protocol for any "hatter"). I asked about pricing and time frame and so on. The moment I mentioned pricing he got short with me and said he needed me to come into his store for measurement and before he could give me a price and then said he needed to help another customer and hung up. Suppose at that moment I should have realized this wasn't going to work out, however I brushed it off and planned my trip.

My wife and I made the few hours drive up to Gettysburg on a Sunday. Having never been to Gettysburg we arrived quite early in the morning and walked downtown and visited a local cafe before heading over to Dirty Billy's. We got there about an hour after they opened, there was a steady stream of people shuffling in and out of the shop. Surprised that it was this busy (we chose a Sunday hoping it would be the opposite), we took our time looking at the various hats on the wall. One thing that I and even my wife immediately noticed was how rough the felt and finish was on the hats. I blamed this on the vast majority of those in the reenacting/l.h. reach for a budget option which means a wool body or if they're willing to spend a few extra dollars on a hare body. Just like a good pair of shoes for the average person, I need a hat that will hold up for the near 365 days that it is worn. Due to that I only wear 100% beaver body hats for the comfort and durability they are known for.

After about ten minutes of browsing Dirty Billy comes up to me and compliments my hat, I thank him and he proceeds to say he enjoyed making it (which he did not, the particular hat I was wearing is from a now defunct hatter that was based out of Raton, NM). I find this funny but ignore it and introduce myself and he doesn't remember me. No problem, after seeing this amount of foot traffic I couldn't expect him to. So I start from scratch, "Do you have any blocks for an 1810s round hat?". He then points to a hat on the wall and says "that one". He was pointing at a mid-1850's crowned hat modeled after one found on the packet Arabia. I reiterated my question and he again points to the same hat and assures me that it will work fine for my impression's time frame. Was he just trying to sell me the first hat he locked eyes onto? Again I brushed off this weird sales tactic and asked if he had any five piece blocks needed for a tall 5.5 inch crown 1810's round/top hat. He said "Of course, I have so many you wouldn't believe", then went silent. I said great, and continued to talk about what I wanted and reminded him of the blank Winchester felt body that I had and how he asked me to come into the shop to speak to him in person. Then he suddenly got upset and said "I only touch my felt, I won't touch any hat that is not mine" and walked away from me. I couldn't even comprehend what just happened. Felt like I was dealing with a toddler with the insistent pointing followed by a tantrum and storming off. All this from a man at least 40 years my senior. Bizarre...

Outstanding craftsmanship & attention to detail is Dirty Billy's trademark. I just received a McDowell pattern Sharpshooter's cap that beats the heck out of the usual offerings that are out there. This is not some mass produced item. If you are looking for a thirty dollar cap don't go to Billy. This cap is museum quality constructed with attention to detail that is seldom seen anymore. I hope Billy is as proud of this hat as I am in wearing it. The fit and fabric are outstanding. The Sharpshooter cap was my second purchase from Billy. A few years back I bought one of his fur felt "beehive" hats. The serviceability of that cap led me to make my latest purchase. The "beehive" stands up to some very rough usage and poor weather conditions. After being muddied, stomped on and flattened, and thoroughly soaked, I can brush that hat off, push it back into shape and be ready for church! I bought my "beehive" off the shelf in his store with Billy's assistance so I got a fit that he suggested and he was spot on in that department. My sharpshooter hat was a custom job for which he measured my noggin himself in his shop back in September. Ever the professional haberdasher, Billy asked how I would like my hat to fit and we settled on a size that would fall between 7 1/8 and 7 1/4. The result is a cap that is so comfortable and well fitted that it felt like I had worn it for years the minute I put it on. As in all things you pay for this quality but once you receive a new hat from Billy it is very evident that you just got a great deal. For those of you who are sticklers for detail and quality and who want an American made hat to be proud of, I cannot stress to you how much a visit to Dirty Billy will change your re-enacting and living history experience. Billy has obviously done his homework and in conversations with him you will learn a lot about historical hats as he guides you through his process toward making you a satisfied customer. My wife even asked me why I had waited so long to make my latest purchase from Billy and she also told me that the price was unbelievably reasonable for a hat of such high quality. Let's face it, that is saying something when your better half tells you that you got a great deal on something that you only use when you are essentially out "playing dress up with friends". Dirty Billy's work stands out in all respects. We have all been at re-enactments where we meet and make new friends as we wander through the camps during a lull in the action. There is always that guy who is wearing an outstanding piece of headgear that has "the look". When you compliment him on it his response is something like, "Oh, I got this hat from Dirty Billy last year and I love it". My advice is that if you are in the market for a quality piece of headgear, dig the change out from under the cushions on your couch and the cup holder in your truck, and step up to a Dirty Billy creation. You'll be just as pleased as I have been - twice. And, you too will feel compelled to take the time to write a good review. Fran & Bill are a real pleasure to deal with from start to finish. We real "Maine-iacs" tend to be very fussy about how and with whom we spend our hard earned dollars and, in turn, are very loyal to those folks who treat us right. Do yourself a favor and contact Dirty Billy for your historical headgear needs. You will not regret...

Truthfully, I'm not sure how to do this. How do you "review" Rembrandt? How is it possible to tell people that Picasso is pretty darn good at what he does? If you have spent any time in reenacting at all, you know that you can purchase no finer hat than one of 'Dirty Billy's'. Go into the "suggested sutler's list" of any of those cherished and celebrated reenactment units that have been around for, say, 20...30...40 years...and you will find Bill prominently recommended. A true living history enthusiast looks for one key element in anyone whom he or she chooses to clothe and attire them for their first-person impression: a craftsman (or woman) who is first-and-foremost, a fellow historian. Bill does the deep, detailed research that we all strive for. He knows stitch counts, material, crafting methods and the TLC that went into the real McCoy; and this comes through in every item that he touches with his hands. Bill and Fran care about contributing to history. As such, each item they produce is intended to pay homage to our past. If you want something that is not historically accurate, Bill will first kindly correct you, then try to set you straight, but always refuse if you want him NOT to be true to the historical authenticity of the item. Furthermore, I have personally found that the Wickhams will go out of their way to do right by the customer. Perfect example: despite recent personal tragedies, Bill and Fran worked overtime to get my hats to me in time for an event; spending an exorbitant amount in S&H to overnight the items to me. Then they REFUSED to allow me to help defray that additional cost! Above and beyond the call? Absolutely. And that, my freinds, is how you gain the loyalty of lifelong customers. If you care enough about your impression to top it with the very best artworks available, why would you go anywhere else? I...