I'm wondering if what appears to be two layers of felt stitched together was to give the brim stiffness?
I wore felt hats for 30 years in snow, rain, dust and mud. Rabbit felt (Akubra) doesn't seem to withstand the elements as good as beaver felt, especially a higher standard say 10x and above.
But what does give the brim stiffness that will last for years is spraying the hat with women's hair spray. If you do that once a week for a few months it will last for years and is totally impervious to the elements.
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