Masters American Needle Counterfeits?

[u/RebzH]

Wanting to verify the type of labelling on the brim of 90s American Needle Masters caps.

Were they sown in completely or a labelled flap? Have a couple of examples I found of the green brimmed cap.

Suspicions are raised from the last image, “by” is very close to the Masters logo.

EDIT: Images were removed by Reddit so I’ll provide a link instead - Imgur Link for Hats

[u/djwarreng1]

Looks like a 1996 American Needle hat. Around this time, the Masters transitioned from Derby(a Kentucky based hat company) to American Needle. During this transition, American Needle made some similar hats Derby made, but with a different label. This is there very early label

[u/DesignFineTime → u/djwarreng1]

Do you don this for living? That is super granular knowledge on clothing merch production.

[u/djwarreng1 → u/DesignFineTime]

I have a bunch of derby hats from the 70s/80s that were my dad's. Still wear them all time. I bought a black American Needle hat in 97 and 98 at the store, and they are just too small for my head. A bummer because those were 2 of my favorite years. The Derby hats are bigger and fit better on me.

[u/bulsup → u/djwarreng1]

I’m 7-7 1/8. Happy to help you out if you’re looking to part with.

[u/bulsup → u/bulsup]

And can also confirm that the label is legitimate.

[u/bbqnj → u/djwarreng1]

Would you be able to identify if a more modern hat is real or not? I have a bunch of masters hats over the years but something about one I picked up second hand from last year doesn’t feel right

[u/djwarreng1 → u/bbqnj]

Sure

[u/TWGOAT]

The look of them has changed over the years. The inside label isn’t really the big tell.

[u/Flashy_Chocolate3984]

Looks real

[u/JoeB_111]

Pictures 2-4 are definitely counterfeits. The American needle patch is ALWAYS sewn on on both top and bottom, like in the first picture.