Just to preface the following remarks, I've been wearing a good quality felt hat since I found out that girls existed and that Frannie Cooper, our high school's head cheerleader, made the remark to me one afternoon that she might be interested in a tall, lanky cowboy if he would clean up occasionally.

After that, I polished my boots, my sweat-stained felt hat was relegated to the back of the closet, and I procured one of my older brother's cast-off felts that still looked pretty good.

I can still remember, a few years later, going into town to buy my first, very own hat. (All of my others, up to that time, had either been hand-me-downs or given to me by my folks for my birthday or something.)

It was a 4x beaver Stetson. This was back in the day when the x's really meant something. It was a brand new silverbelly and cost me $12.50. I remember thinking, "Dang! This thing is expensive!" But I was making pretty good wages at the time (50 cents an hour), so I figured I could splurge a bit.

By the way, many years later, my oldest son decided he wanted that old hat, so he claimed it as his own. Now, his son owns it and, in fact, wore it on the first pack trip I took him on when he was ten years old.

Anyway, I'm digressing. Well, a couple of days ago, I got in the old truck and drove down to my daughter's house and told her I was taking her out to lunch. I had cleaned up a bit. Put on a real nice pair of dress boots, a button-down collar, long-sleeve shirt and a custom-made 8x beaver, 5½-inch open crowned, 4-inch pencil-rolled brim hat.

We went to lunch at a nice little sit-down place. I took my hat off as we sat down. The waitress casually remarked, "That certainly is a nice-looking cowboy hat, sir."

I thanked her kindly and then said, "Ma'am, just for future reference, it's not a cowboy hat. It's a hat. Everything else is just a cap!"

Blake wearing the old 4x beaver Stetson on his first pack trip.


It's a HAT!!!

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Pack light and cinch tight.

I wish I still had my first hat, was made to order by Art Weather's shop in Colorado Springs around 1967 I believe.. was stolen from my car in Indianapolis IN about 10 years later.

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Old paratrooper in NC

And why isn't grandpa wearing a "hat". Billed caps won't work.

I'm not gonna argue or disagree with you (I don't wear any hats...period) but down here when I walk into a store that sells those types of HATS I quite often see a sign nearby that reads: "Cowboy Hats". I'm just say'n........

I agree, the ladies love a man with a hat, especially a man with a hat and a beard. Here's me with Dale Evans before Roy got his claws into her....

Well, sir, as much as I like that style of hat I do not own a horse, and I refuse to be "all hat and no horse", so this is my version of a hat. Filson......might as well have the best.....

Attached Images

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Even older, even crankier....

I still have my fathers Stetson from 1953 ..... had it steamed and reshaped in the 70's ...... Crown needed repair and it's still wears well ...... I hope to pass it on the one of my grand kids or maybe a great grandkid ....... Not giving up my fathers hat till I pass ...... Thats how it was passed to me at the age of 16 ..... I'm 57 now .... greedy YES ..... Want to break in a new one in NO

Sorry about the poor pix. It's framed and would be a _ _ _ _ _
to get it out.

Quite the rage back then !

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HIS Trains 'a LEAVIN

Actually you got it correct what you called it a stetson.

It's a hat, but it's a stetson. A sombrero is also a hat.. Just like a homburg or a fedora or a gatsby or an akubra or..... A mitre. See where I'm going?

It's like a ford or chevy or dodge... They're all trucks.

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- The Federalist #46 -

That hat looks like a "boater".

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- The Federalist #46 -

That ain't me in the background. Those are a couple of buddies that were on the trip with us. I'm in front of the string taking the picture. I quit wearing billed caps when I quit playing organized baseball.

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Pack light and cinch tight.

That one is called a "Boater". not to be confused with a "Straw" hat..

A boater is not quite circular, whereas a Straw hat is. Also, a Boater is made a little stouter, than a plain Straw hat.

WuzzFuzz

I went to South Africa in '05. The entire week people were asking me, "Are you from Texas?"

I'd answer, "No, I'm from Oklahoma, but now I live in Wyoming."

Several time's I'd get, "But you are wearing Texas boots and a Texas hat."

"No, I'm wearing packer boots and my hat is just a hat."

Then they'd want to know where Oklahoma and Wyoming are..

It's a HAT!!!
[/QUOTE]

Depending on where you buy that style, around here it's now called a "Gus" after the TV show LoneSome Dove.


I've had mine long before the TV show came out. One made of straw for the summer, and a good beaver felt....Mine is made the old 10x beaver classification way.... for the winter...But that style is also referred to by some as a West Texas style.


WuzzFuzz

I love em but get funny looks back here in the east. I have a well worn Stetson Gun Club that gets grabbed when I am heading out the door on my way to the woods. A newer Gun Club, 4 inch brim, for casual date night with Mrs. Lazy, an Open Road fedora style, and a crisp "Western" hat for that special occasion. No horses, anymore, but I ain't giving up my hats.

A Stetson is only a name brand...There are many, styles made by Stetson. I can't begin to name them all here...The one L.B.J was famous for wearing was made by Stetson.

There are many hat makers of the western flair...Accordingly, there are many styles with a western flair.

Homburg is a style (I've got one of those too)..Gatsby..Baker boy, Newsboy, Apple Hat, Pie hat...because of the panels sewed together to make the cap. (Got several of those) all various names for a "Gatsby"..It was named Gatsby, because of the movie...The Great Gatsby with Robert Redford.

It is true..they are a "Hat"...Not a "Cowboy hat"...That style was developed for those out in the sun, to keep the sun off the back of the neck, and a bill to shade the sun...They have the look of the front and back for the rain to run off and not down the deck.

Trivia...who cares?


WuzzFuzz

Looks like a kboy hat to me --kinda Festus lookin. Gunsmoke

It's a Stetson. Good for work, play, siesta. Bunkhouse, formal or casual.

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Halfway and one more step

Whatever happened to Frannie Cooper?

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Bill
Dis B. Leaf

My wife said I had her from the moment I tipped it and said "Howdy Ma'am."



I've got several Stetsons, Resistols, and a Bailey. This one happens to be a Renagade.

I don't wear them much anymore. They went a lot better with a full sized pick-up than they do with an econobox.

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John 3:16 .

Hat nerds like you and me apparently!

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- The Federalist #46 -

Some wear many hats.............


Makin Tracks,



Rodeo Hand,


Makin a Hand,





.

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Is that Elvis or Dick Van Dyke?

THAT IS A REAL HAT & A REAL MAN TO BE.

I have a Stratton hat I acquired in Dalhart, Texas a few years back. I guess I could call it a 'Texas' hat.

Well, since today IS February 14th......I'd say it's Rudolph Valentino


WuzzFuzz

LBJ's Stetson was the "Open Road" model. Some of the old-time bluegrass muscians have worn that one too.

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Rick, W0FG
CTR2 68-72

I love my flat crown beaver felt hats. Nothin like it. Along with my tony lama buckaroo boots and wild rag

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Dyin ain't much of a livin

I have always wanted a hat, but never bought one. So many types, brands, and materials. I have no idea where to begin. I did get Justin boots for Christmas.

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Livin’ Life From The Blindside

speaking of Festus......Ken Curtis...He was quite a good singer before he went on Gunsmoke. He was in movies with John Wayne.


Sang with the Sons of Pioneers for several years, and before that sang in big bands.

Look up on U tube some of his singing...real good solo, he sang on the TV show Pallladin (sp)


WuzzFuzz

J toe, and rider heels.....You're on your way

WuzzFuzz

Still have my old J.B.Stetson 4x in the closet. It's my pride & joy.

Can't beat a good felt hat ..... I wear mine a lot in the winter. Switch to a cap &/or straw hat in the summer.

Don

Attached Images

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Laus Deo! <><

All the men folk wore hats when and where I grew up.
They had at least two---as Stetson strw for summer and a felt for winter---those were 4 inch brims.
I never cared much for hats or caps.
Blessings

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TEXAS, by GOD

Do love a good hat - but to me - they are just out of place in my home state of NC.
I actually wear an old felt campaign hat on woods outings.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

It's a HAT!!! Not a cowboy hat...a HAT!!

..don't ya think it "pulls me"!?

For fedoras, homburgs, panamas and such, check out Optimo Hats of Chicago. Custom made, top of the line.

IIRC from my youth-that is a hard shell straw hat-popular 1930s to 1950s. Preacher wore them a lot.

I've got my father's LBJ Stetson, minor problem, it doesn't fit, hoping for a grandson with the right hat size.

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Back to back World War Champs.

It is very true that things have gone up from the $12.50 back in the good old days.

I have eight Stetsons and one I that I long to have but just cannot make myself buy it.

I used to drive from MS Gulf Coast to Great Falls, MT every spring and back in the winter. Had residences in both places.

The Stetson Plant in St Joseph, MO has, or used to have, an absolutely beautiful white beaver in a special glass showcase.

I would love to have it but the $3,000.00 price is a bit out of my reach.

Depending on where you buy that style, around here it's now called a "Gus" after the TV show LoneSome Dove.[/QUOTE]


Yep. When I was growing up, it was called a "Packer's crease." Then when Steve McQueen wore that particular style in the movie, Tom Horn, it was called the "Tom Horn crease" for awhile. Then when Lonesome Dove came out, it was called the "Gus crease." I've also heard it called the "Montana slope."

I usually add a little "mule kick" to the back of mine just for a little touch of individuality, I guess.

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Pack light and cinch tight.

Last I heard, she married some guy from south of the border, got divorced, then became a preacher somewhere in Southern California close to the Mexican border. Really! No joke! You can't make that kind of stuff up!

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Pack light and cinch tight.

I like that crease as well,


Looking for picture....Now




My dress hat....A Cattleman's crease,

Jim Mackey Hatter, Shell WY




.
Jest a side note....

Them li't cuties down on the river ain't all that purty....But they's hell for stout!

Summer Straw,




Chip,

It was a might sharp this mornin....A Wooly kinda day

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Dang, Dave...I knew there was a reason I liked you! Not only do you have good taste in headwear, you also have good taste in animals.

Chip

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Pack light and cinch tight.

FUGGETTTABOUT IT..

This is a " HAT"

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SWCA #2306
DAV in honor of POP

I have a lot to learn. I just looked at Optimo Hats of Chicago and I did not realize that a quality hat costs that much. I will have to start out in the newbie leagues first. LOL

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Livin’ Life From The Blindside

How bout' the SEARCHER?


Now that my brothers, is a damn hat. At least so, 35 years or more ago.
A 12 Ga. double Ithaca and a Colt 1909 Marine Corp New Service Model in .45 Colt.....the oak was fer' hangin' the unforgiven. My horse is out of the picture, damn fine thoroughbred, now long gone. Hell I miss that mean, ornery, vicious, biting, kicking, miserable stud terrible. His name was "Sweetie Pie". Ther's a little irony in every horsemans life.

Cheers;
Lefty

Somewhere, I've got a picture of Ken Curtis/Festus and me. I'm in a WHP uniform, and I've got his hat on.
That sucker was re-enforced along the brim and as stiff as if it was made of iron.

Odd job's steel Derby din't have nuthin' on that one.

My great Uncle Buck was a friend of ol John B. JB named a 10X beaver hat in his honor. The Big Buck. That was back in the early '40's and an X was worth $10.00.

He gave Buck five of those Stetsons for the men in the family. My Dad wore his for years and gave it to me. I wore that hat in the 60's until a barb wire I was stretchin' snapped and took it off my head.. Tore most of the front of the brim off when it took it off my head.

My folks gave me the 10X Stetson hat in the picture up in the corner on my 21st birthday.That was 48 years ago. I've purty near got their money's worth out of it.

I do have a couple of those so called cowboy hats but this is my daily wear. Sun, rain, snow, work, whatever it's on my head. I get it cleaned and blocked every once and awhile.


DW

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"NUTS"

Did somebody say hats!!!!

.SANY0023.jpg A Boater by Poute Rialto--Italy

SANY0014.jpg A West Texas style by Rodeo King 5X Beaver

SANY0012.jpg Summer West Texas style Hecho en Mexico

SANY0013.jpg Everyday western style by Rodeo King

SANY0017.jpg The one on the right is a Homborg made in Canada...The one on the left is a Rosellini by Biltmore (Everyone called this my Godfather hat) Made in Canada.



WuzzFuzz