1950

I say 1944. A couple of 4F momma's boys having a slappy fight over a ration stamp. All the real close fisted men were in the war.

This was shot last week in the West Village. The fight started when the guy on the right began boasting about his sartorial-prowess and then insulted the hat belonging to the guy on the left.

The fact that 3 guys in the picture aren't wearing hats puts in the post WW2 Era.

It's definitely under the 3rd avenue el, at the corner of 3rd Av and St Marks Pl, looking east. You can see Cooper Union to the left, the building with the Astor Pl Starbucks at center, and the old Bible building at right, with Wanamaker's (now K-mart) just barely visible behind it.

Looking west, I mean.

It's only cool if you take a punch and your hat doesn't fly off.

Even cooler if you pull the hat over the other guy's head so hard that the top pops off like in the funny papers!

1950, photo by Elliott Erwitt

1954, Astor Place

1953, the Bowery, below the Third Avenue elevated.

This is actually kind of a famous photo. Too bad I can't remember the year! But it looks like it was taken in the early 1950s, judging by the men's fashions and the fact that an elevated train rail is visible in the background. I'll guess 1950 or 1952.

Ahh the olden days, when even streetfighters and brawlers were dashing and well-dressed. Nowadays those guys would be wearing backwards yankee hats and jeans below their waists...

What year was it fashionable to fight like sissies?

1952.

my guess is 1947--think it must be postwar.

1956

1957. MCMLVII. karate on the streets and aqua velva in the air..

1955.

1952: you want a fresh one?