Question about a Resistol Hat

29aholic · Dec 14, 2010

I know somewhat about the X's in cowboy hats, but I recently bought a vintage one at a gunshow that I am trying to find out more about.
If I am correct it pre-dates the "X" rating and is just marked Beaver "30" on the sweatband. It came from The Hitching Post, Aberdeen SD.

Anyone know what the Beaver "30" means? Is it akin to a 30X?
Thanks

oldman45 · Dec 15, 2010

I wear Resistol hats and have for many years. The more XX a hat is, the better quality the hat will be.

As I recall, the Resistol 30 was a model number and had nothing to do with the X factor quality. A person used to could buy a Resistol 30 and it only be a 3X hat.

The model 30 was made a long time ago and would be considered rare now but all good resistol hats are made to last with proper care.

Iggy · Dec 15, 2010

Back in history when beaver hats were in fashion that designation indicated the number of pelts it took to make the hat.

As time passed, in the 1940's the designation remained but the value had changed.

In a John B. Stetson hat for instance, each X indicated a $10.00 value.

Thus a 5X beaver had cost $50.00

John B. and one of my Uncles were good friends, John B. named his premier hat of the time " The Big Buck" in honor of my uncle and gave him 5 of the 10X beaver hats to give to the male family members. This was in the 1940's. My Dad wore that hat for many years and then passed it down to me. I wore it in the 1960's until a barbed wire I was stretching in a fence broke and caught the hat brim in front of my face and tore it apart.

That was one good hat.

Times have changed and even though some makers still use the X as a quality rating, it has no relationship to the old values.

Kind of a statement of the times I guess.

The hat seen in the picture up in the corner is a Resistol 5X beaver hat. My folks gave it to me when I graduated from high school in 1961. I finally retired that hat in 2001. Can't complain about the value there.

29aholic · Dec 15, 2010

I have a marked 4X Resistol my wife cant stand...I like it. I need to get pics of the new one and put it on the "Favorite hat thread"

armadillo · Dec 16, 2010

I have my dad's Silver Belly Resistol that he bought in 1947 (before I was born). It still has the original tag marked $17.50.

It fits me, but I don't wear it because it has a 3" brim that is not very stylish now days.

Onomea · Dec 16, 2010

A truly good hat is a treasure. A companion in all weather, and a comfort when truly needed.

29aholic · Dec 16, 2010

Onomea said:
A truly good hat is a treasure. A companion in all weather, and a comfort when truly needed.

My sentiments exactly. I never considered a cowboy hat as stylish, just another tool in the "box". I wore one for years...rain or shine and did so for the original reason for which was designed.

Question about a Resistol Hat

29aholic

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oldman45

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Iggy

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29aholic

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armadillo

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Onomea

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29aholic

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