Tommy Shelby's Hat in Peaky Blinders Isn't Exactly Historically Accurate

You know what it is. You're wandering the cobbled streets of Birmingham with your motley crew of troublemakers, when suddenly you come across a rival gang, with no intention of backing down from the fight. What do you do when you need a more personal touch for close combat? It's simple: just take off your hat, find the hidden razor built inside, and you're done! Unfortunately, this little scenario could spawn a formidable urban myth, but in the end, it's probably just that: a myth.

It's the chilly dose of reality provided by the Birmingham Mail (via Netflix's Tudum site). In an interview published around the time of the Season 6 premiere, the outlet spoke to local Birmingham historian Carl Chinn about the separation between truth and fiction in "Peaky Blinders". Topping the list, inevitably, are those sneaky, razor-sharp blades hidden inside every Peaky Blinder's hat. In the world of the show, their strange name comes from cutting enemies' faces with these razors and blinding opponents with their own blood. But in reality, Chinn explains that it just doesn't fit:

“As for razor blades? They were only beginning to arrive in the 1890s and were a luxury item, far too expensive for the Peaky Blinders to use. would be very difficult to use. get direction and power with a razor blade sewn into the soft part of a cap."

Talk about a disappointment. Nonetheless, we're glad the facts never got in the way of telling a truly compelling story...however exaggerated. Don't let this ruin the show for you, by order of the Peaky Blinders!