A Stetson hat is about as important an accessory for a cowboy as
his Peacemaker. It kept the burning sun, and the rain off his neck
and protected his head like an umbrella. He could use his hat to
give his horse a drink, and for other chores.

John B. Stetson 1830-1906 invented the cowboy hat. His company
existed from 1865-1970. The rights were sold in 1971, and now
Hatco makes both Stetson and Resistol hats in Garland, Texas.

My old Stetson is shown below with a Peacemaker replica in a
Duke rig replica.

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In Omnia Paratus

In a past life I bought a Resistol and there wasn't anything wrong with it except it didn't say Stetson. It got to bothering me so bad I gave it away. I want my hat to say Stetson and my .45 auto to say Colt. Larry

One of several I have.....

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

I have more cowboy hats than most folks and one or two came from Garland. One for sure came from the actual factory store; the others came from local Western wear stores. I don't think any say Stetson but one might; I'd have to check but I bet it says Resistol. Seriously, who cares if it says Stetson?

Cowboy action shooters buy their hats from a wide variety of makers across America. There are some VERY high quality, VERY expensive cowboy hats out there that never passed through Garland, Texas, and they definitely don't say Stetson.

I could say the same thing for .45 autos, actually. Mine says Smith & Wesson! Okay, it's a TDA pistol, but I won't carry a single action pistol, so that does matter I expect.

Y'all tickle me, I admit it!

I'm with you tops. John B. put his name in big gold letters on
the sweat band of every one of his real Stetsons.

By the way, what's the difference in 4 Beavers or 5 Beavers?
Don't say 1 Beaver. I know that.

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In Omnia Paratus

Like the old time cowboys used to say about the Remington
and Smith and Wessons, "Yeh there purty good revolvers
but they ain't Colts".

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In Omnia Paratus

Stetsons are nice, I just prefer the way the Resistol's fit better in my case. Nothing like a "Black Gold" from Resistol. They're both owned by the same company now. Here's an American Hat Co. from the 60s I recently acquired. I keep an eye out for old felt hats.

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

That's funny! Some years ago I was on a buddy's ranch when he went into the barn and came out with an old, beat up felt hat in the style I call "LBJ" but it probably has a real name that I am unaware of. It fit me but was a mess. It might have been a Stetson; quien sabe?

Anyway, I sent it to one of the finest hat makers in America today. The were in Buda, Texas, but now I think they moved to Lockhart. Anyway, the company is called Texas Hatters.

custom cowboy hats, Texas Hatters, western style hat maker

Copyright 2013 © Manny Gammage's Texas Hatters

They rebuilt the interior of that hat and made it brand new inside. They cleaned up the exterior, too, but could not bring it back to its original glory but do I ever have fun with it, it has SO MUCH CHARACTER.

It kind of looks like the hats worn by the policemen who were surrounding Lee Harvey Oswald when Jack Ruby shot him. You can look that picture up.

In the 1870s that might have been a fair assessment but Smith & Wesson has made better revolvers than Colt made for a very long time. I wouldn't trade my Model 27 Classic for any Colt, Pythons included, and, actually, that goes for all of my L frames, too. Shrink down to K and J frames and the result is the same in re Detective Specials, Agents, and Cobras - the Ks and Js are just better guns.
YMMV

That would be the ever so classic "Open Road" hat by Stetson, (I have one, too) it was also Jimmy Stewart's favorite style hat and worn in many of his movies. fwiw.

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

I have five Stetsons and two Resistols and as far as quality I can't tell any difference. Each hat has a different style and feel but I like them all.
It's like vanilla and chocolate ice cream, some folks like one and some like the other, but they're both good!

It's the same with guns, whether it's says Colt, Smith and Wesson or Ruger I try to select the one that's best for the job. Never mind what name it wears.

I agree. 20th & 21st centuries S&W has ruled the roost.
Up until WWII it was Colt.

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In Omnia Paratus

I still have mine left over from my CAS - SASS 20 year stint. Don't really wear it much now days, however my wife just wore it last week when she went to a Halloween Party dressed as Annie Oakley.

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Hat makers designate the amount of beaver fur used in their fur/felt mix. There is no "standard", so each manufacturer uses their own "X" rating. If they don't say beaver, they most likely use another type of fur, often rabbit. Beaver is a much better fur than rabbit.

I have two beaver fur felt cowboy hats, one Resistol and one Justin (made by Milano Hat Company, Garland, Tx.). Both of them are rated at 6X and were just under $200 each. By comparison, a 100X Stetson runs right at $900!! My 6X hats work just fine, thank you.

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SWCA 3297 SWHF 583

First off...just for the record, they aren't cowboy hats. They're hats! Everything else is just a cap. At least that's what one of my brothers told me many years ago. And I've worn a hat now almost every day for most of my life.

The Stetson and Resistol hats nowadays really aren't quite the same quality as the ones made forty or fifty years ago. At least that's my opinion.

I had been the recipient of my older brother's hand-me-down hats during the early years of my life until I was old enough to get a job and afford my own. It was close to fifty years ago. The hat was a brand new Stetson, 4X beaver, and cost me all of $12.50. I remember asking myself, "Golly! Can I really afford this?" But, I bit my lip, plunked down my hard-earned cash, and walked out with my very own Stetson.

That hat lasted me for years and is now in the possession of my 19-year old grandson. He first wore it on the first pack trip I took him on when he was only ten-years old. Sure, it looks a little worn now after fifty years, but it's still going strong. The quality of that old 4X beaver Stetson is so much better than the current 4X beaver hats.

While I still own a few Stetsons and a Resistol or two, they're mainly relegated to just everyday "work-around-the-homestead" wear and not dress wear. For more formal occasions, i.e. barbecues, wedding receptions, etc., I have a couple of custom beaver-felt hats.

Sadly, times change not always for the better, and the custom hat makers are the ones who are now producing hats that are comparable to the old Stetson quality.

Again, that's just my view from the saddle.

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Pack light and cinch tight.

That picture of me,,,,that's a LE Stetson.

My Great Uncle was a friend of John B. Jr. He gave my Uncle Buck 5 10X Beaver Stetsons called the "Big Buck" for the men in my family back in the 40s. Back then an X represented $10. At that time, this was the top of the line Stetson.
My Dad was the recipient of those hats and wore it for 20 years. I wore it in the 60's until a barbwire I was stretching broke and the end came back and took that hat off my head and put a hole in the brim within an inch of my forehead, about the size of a .50 Cal.

I don't know how long I coulda wore that hat if that hadn't happened.

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Eccentric old coot

Two Resistol’s myself. A 20X Black Gold & a George Strait straw one. A nice felt hat has a great feel to it.

Cory

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Cory
SWCA #3015 SWHF #465

I said the Stetson did other chores too. I didn't know it served
as a helmet like in your case. Too bad about the hat, but maybe
it saved you a big gash in your noggin.

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In Omnia Paratus

My straw hat, on the left, is by Resistol. I've had it for 55 years and it
shows. My Stetson is on the right. Only about 45 years old. My old Dad
braided the rawhide hatband for me, so it is very special.

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In Omnia Paratus

My 20x Resistol "Black Gold", feels like mink it's so soft. Interesting story on mine, I had ordered a Larry Mahan, which is my other favorite hat, but after waiting 3 months to be made and delivered it was made too small but marked with the correct size so the manager at Horse Town said "pick out another hat that cost more and I could have it for the $350". The "Black Gold" can sale anywhere from $450 to as much as $650 in some places, I got a steal on it for $350 in my opinion. The "BG" comes with a sterling silver buckle set made by Vogt Silversmiths in Montana, nice touch many don't realize its SS when they buy one of the "BGs".

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

You can't mention Stetson without Stetson University: Stetson University was founded in 1883 by Henry Addison DeLand, a New York philanthropist, as DeLand Academy. In 1887, the Florida Legislature enacted the Charter of DeLand University as an independent institution of higher learning.

DeLand University's name was changed in 1889 to honor hat manufacturer John B. Stetson, a benefactor of the university, who served with town founder, Henry A. DeLand, and others as a founding trustee of the university. Stetson also provided substantial assistance to the university after DeLand, on account of financial reverses, was no longer able to do so.

Stetson University was affiliated with the Florida Baptist Convention from 1885 until 1907, when the Convention was defeated in its effort to force Stetson to amend its charter. From 1907 to 1919, the Florida Baptist Convention operated Columbia College in Lake City, Florida, but it failed for lack of adequate financial support. According to Gilbert Lycan, a Stetson history professor who wrote the university's official centennial history in 1983, the relationship between Stetson University and the Florida Baptist Convention was reestablished in 1919,[8] and it continued until 1995, when it was officially terminated.[9]

Custom made but has been with me for many years and still going.

It looks like it's been around the block a few times.
Well broken in. Very comfortable I'll bet.

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In Omnia Paratus

It take years for a hat to gain character........

I wore Stetson hats for several years.

This is not a Stetson though,

But a handmade 100% beaver from ol Jim Mackey of Shell, WY.
Jim passed earlier this year, I am fortunate to own several of his creations.

This'n is going on it's third decade,



.

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

When my wife's uncle passed away several years back we went to help with the estate for his widow. He had a dozen new in box Stetsons that were given to him. He purchased hogs for a living. He never wore one and they were all donated to I believe Goodwill.

Mals

Sorry. Had to.

I took this in Vegas about 10 years ago, and came up with the caption then. I stalked this guy for 10 minutes to get this shot.

I thought it tied in well with this thread!

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Is that deception tactics? He's pretending to be going when in fact he's coming. Or is it the other way around?

Great! Now my head hurts.

I don't own one...

never have had one.....

and if you were ever see me in one....

no truer words would ever be said about me than the westerner's insult:

"All hat, and no cattle!!"

Durn....now I reckon I'll never be able to wear one, in good faith.

Maybe I can get one of those Indiana Jones hats...

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Les B I do own one.But you are right about me to.I was in Nashville one night after a concert in a elevator when a young lady commented on my hat and boots.She asked me if I was a cowboy.And I told her sorry mam.All hat no cattle no saddle.She looks puzzled but my wife burst out laughing.

Been wearing Stetsons for over 40 years. Not much into straw. Just don't last in the hot sun.

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Riding, Shooting, and Truth

Well... got the hat, got the leather jacket, got the .45 ACP revolver. But my mom took my bullwhip away from me a long time ago after that little incident with the kid who lived across the street.

AH! But I got a mustache. Indy never had one of those.

My grandfather wore his pristine silver Stetson to church each Sunday. When he took it out of the hat box, wiped it down with his handkerchief, and placed it on his head, we knew it was time to leave for church.

Grandpa's hat had no crown creases and a flat wide brim. When I got into Cowboy Action Shooting, I tried to find a hat like Grandpa's. Through wear, rain, and abuse, my hat lost its pristine look like Grandpa's hat.

Birdgun Quail, SASS #63663 ridding the town of bad guys.




God bless,
Birdgun

As a COP for 30 yrs, I was once on the stand testifing on a DUI arrest that and this lawyer that I have known for years. he asked me how long we had known each other. We started our respective professions about the same time. At this time I stated Sir, since your hat was New. As one of his trade marks was "THE STEADSON OPEN ROAD HAT" he always wore. Witch by this time was pretty well weather beaten. The entire Court Room broke into laughter. Oh, by the way I won my case.
BOMBTEC

I got a big hat, but no cows. I don't even own a steak. :-)

Have a blessed day,

Leon

That does have character Dave. In the Air Force we would
call that a 50 mission crush.

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In Omnia Paratus

Well, being from West Texas, I'm perfectly happy with my RESISTOL.

[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

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Dave Brown
SWCA #3279

It’s called an “Open Road”. I’ve got three of ‘em.

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Halfway and one more step

My daddy told me once to never spend more than a day's wages on a hat and never more than a week's wages on a pair of boots.

Today I have a silverbelly Open Road that's so old it has a wind trolley around the hatband. That was a cord with a cloth covered button on the end that was made to go into your lapel button hole to prevent your hat from blowing into a mud puddle.

I have a pair of Lucchese elephant skin boots that I've lost count of the soles and heels that have been cobbled onto them.

Both of these purchases raised a lump in my throat when I was standing there at the cash register back then. Many years later I can appreciate their value to me. The joy they have brought to me and the pride in making the money to afford them.

Never touch another man's hat. Never lay your hat on the bed.Never wear your straw hat to the Christmas party...on and on it goes. Even today, without thinking, I feel the station of the man I meet by the feel of his palm in his handshake, his boots, and his hat. You can tell so much, but that's how I was raised.

Now there was that time that my bride and I went to that estate sale in Johnson City. I mean, for gawds sake, how much would you pay for a hat that was owned by LBJ?....and it fits! I still get her fish eye stare every time I wear it.

Sort a kin to owning fine Smith & Wesson revolvers ain't it?
Spend the money once and never regret it.

Here in Indiana it isn't common to see a man wearing a wide brimmed hat. I have a crushable Stetson Wildwood. I've had it for years. I was wearing it at the grocery store yesterday and a gentleman complimented me on it. I was surprised as he didn't look like the wide brimmed hat sort. He was wearing a stocking cap (here we call them toboggans). I know that most folks connect cowboy hats with Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, etc., but we had our share of the wild west here after the civil war. Maybe we'll start a cowboy hat trend again!

I have one of my grandfather’s (Dad’s Dad) Stetsons. It was rare not to see him wearing one. If he wasn’t wearing a felt Stetson then he was wearing a “hunting” cap.

1961 me with PaPa; he passed away Feb 1991.
The same hat, a little worse for wear
Stetson 3X Beaver
The Last Drop embroidery
Stetson crest medallion on hatband

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I’ve got a couple, including an Akubra Snowy River. I rarely wear them. Too bad hats have fallen out of fashion. It’s extremely rare to see anyone wearing a hat in my neck of the woods.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My photo shows my Stetson.
Daily hat is a baseball type. Lots of them. Presently the NRA cap is daily wear.

Good post, Ingramite

Hate to say it, but, for Lyndon Johnson’s....not a dime.
I wouldn’t take a thousand dollars for my Old Daddys Open Road, though.

Harry Truman wore the Open Road as well. Interestingly enough, there are still a fair few Stetson wearers in South Texas, even though the majority of hat wearers tend towards the black resistol country fanboy and Cartel wannabes.

Stay warm, and Happy New Year

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Halfway and one more step

Happy New Year!
Oh yeah, I hear ya on the black Resistol.
Keeping the dog hair off of it is a full time job.

Kind of a shame that Dave takes a lot better picture than me

But it is about the hat, anyways.

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Halfway and one more step

I bought my hat at Cutter Bill's Houston in late 1970s. While trying on hats in the store, the staff served adult beverages. A nice touch.

Anyone have an idea which company made the store label hats?

Regards, Bill

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In theory the more X's the higher the percentage of beaver fur in the felt. A lot of speculation on what each # means.
So short answer a 5X has a greater % of beaver fur than a 4X.

Years ago I visited the Autry Museum in LA. Most memorable was the history of the "cowboy" hat display. Very interesting display. The last hat was a cheap open mesh baseball type, had logo of Ag supply store. Caption read. This is the hat worn by today's working cowboy. I have agree. Full disclosure. I have more hats and boots than any three people "need". I do have saddles and a horse, no cattle. Did work on a cattle ranch 50 years ago.

My Western Hat story.
In the year 2005 I had been on "Light Duty" static for quite a while. My wife, cousin and his wife decided I needed a vacation and asked where I would like to go? I said "TO THE WEST" and we did. The one item I wanted was a "Real Cowboy Hat". I was informed that a real cowboy hat would be a J.B. Stetson "Silver Belly" hat. So in a small Wyoming town I wandered into a hat store and inquired about a 'Silver Belly". I was showed a "Silver Belly" and when I looked at the price tag of $650.00 I knew that Jimmy would not be wearing a "Silver Belly". ' '[

Although we always associate "Stetson" with western or "Cowboy" hats, weren't they also the high end makers of fedoras and other "eastern" business attire hats back in the day? I seem to recollect that they made the sorts of hats that we see in Film Noir movies, adorning the noggins of detectives, bankers, gangsters and lots of other city folks.

Wasn't this the same company?

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064