Genuine hatpins should only have one neatly fitted finding. In some hatpins the finding is built into the head but most findings are separate distinct pieces. 6 and 6-A.Īuthentic old findings were carefully matched to the heads to give strength and conceal the shank to head joint. Typical old original findings are shown in Figs. There are two basic things to look for in judging hatpins: How is the head mounted to the shank and what kind of finding is used.
A finding is a small piece of metal used to hide the joint where the head is mounted on the shaft. The shank is the pointed metal shaft the head is mounted on. The head, also called the ornament, is the decorative part of the hatpin. The faked pin, left, is made from a modern Kewpie-like charm an original Kewpie hatpin is shown on the rightĪn authentic hatpin has three distinct parts: 1) the head, 2) the shank, and 3) the finding. Anything small enough to fit on a shank seems to eventually be destined to be offered as a hatpin.
