Boss of the Plains?

[Thundercolt]

Ain’t nothing better than riding a fine mount through a new country.

 

[MikeinRome]

Stetson Boss of the Plains. 3 1/2 inch brim and 6 inch open crown. Made under license in England I'm supposing by Failsworth who got the license in 1949. I have no real idea when this hat was made after that, but the liner has a very thin onionskin-like material over the liner and the hat seems generally 1950s-ish or so. The felt is thick and soft. The only tag seems to imply that this is a Utah model hat. This is either the original hatbox for this hat or it's at least the box this hat was found in. Sorry I've edited this post so much.

 

[Bamaboots]

Calling it a BOP was probably pretty good marketing when that hat was produced and likely no one gave a damn about what an historically correct BOP might look like. It’s a unique hat and an unusual find but it’s not a BOP, at least not in the context of what a vintage Stetson BOP is.

 

[MikeinRome]

Calling it a BOP was probably pretty good marketing when that hat was produced and likely no one gave a damn about what an historically correct BOP might look like. It’s a unique hat and an unusual find but it’s not a BOP, at least not in the context of what a vintage Stetson BOP is.

View attachment 610957

I'm very clear about that point of view and I agree completely. However, some might say that a Boss of the Plains is whatever Stetson says it is at any point in time.

 

[Bamaboots]

Some.

 

[steur]

Stetson Boss of the Plains. 3 1/2 inch brim and 6 inch open crown. Made under license in England I'm supposing by Failsworth who got the license in 1949. I have no real idea when this hat was made after that, but the liner has a very thin onionskin-like material over the liner and the hat seems generally 1950s-ish or so. The felt is thick and soft. The only tag seems to imply that this is a Utah model hat. This is either the original hatbox for this hat or it's at least the box this hat was found in. Sorry I've edited this post so much.

Cool find, Mike. Failsworth didn't make many western style Stetsons. While I agree with Greg that it doesn't resemble a Boss of the plains this discussion has been had quite a few times here on the forum, where members insist a hat isn't this or that model because it doesn't say so on the sweatband or liner even if the hat looks exactly the same and even blocknumbers match up. Following that reasoning this hat is indeed a Boss of the plains, because it says so, even it doesn't look anything like it. We should know better by now that things are not that clearly defined in the hat world, not least by the manufacturers themselves.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Cool find, Mike. Failsworth didn't make many western style Stetsons. While I agree with Greg that it doesn't resemble a Boss of the plains this discussion has been had quite a few times here on the forum, where members insist a hat isn't this or that model because it doesn't say so on the sweatband or liner even if the hat looks exactly the same and even blocknumbers match up. Following that reasoning this hat is indeed a Boss of the plains, because it says so, even it doesn't look anything like it. We should know better by now that things are not that clearly defined in the hat world, not least by the manufacturers themselves.

In the truest since it is a BOP because it is licensed by Stetson with the appropriate nomenclature…just not an American BOP. I don’t think any student or researcher of the historical settling of the American West would ever identify it as a BOP, or ever think of a BOP as having a 6” crown.

 

[MikeinRome]

In the truest since it is a BOP because it is licensed by Stetson with the appropriate nomenclature…just not an American BOP. I don’t think any student or researcher of the historical settling of the American West would ever identify it as a BOP, or ever think of a BOP as having a 6” crown.

I understand all that quite well, thank you, but since I already have an old Stetson that's real close to the original style, I'm perfectly fine with a more modern take on the BOP theme that has a 6 inch crown, which I have to admit I prefer for wearing.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

I understand all that quite well, thank you, but since I already have an old Stetson that's real close to the original style, I'm perfectly fine with a more modern take on the BOP theme that has a 6 inch crown, which I have to admit I prefer for wearing.

This is a reply of my opinion & my opinion only. The views of the other vintage & historical FL members may differ. Everyone’s opinion & view evolves over time. But it seems like with every round of newbies the FL evolves more towards fashion & less towards vintage accuracy, collecting the best surviving examples & cloning of same (see WHAYWT); the FL members who think otherwise lose & adapt, or leave. I guess it’s my turn.

Old Stetson’s that are “real close” don’t cut it in my book. A custom clone used to mean that of an original with so rare a survival rate that original examples could rarely be found to add to your collection. So you found a hatmaker with an accurate block & the knowledge to clone an original copy of the hat. Now a custom hat means you get to pick the colors to match your shirt. A collection of hats simply means more hats. Soon there will be periwinkle BOP Customs with fuchsia Pink Petersham ribbons. Please leave a couple of unmolested threads for the true collectors that remain.

I realize this post is probably my sayonara song with the FL. Don’t take my opinions out on anyone else & let this be the last word so this can peacefully come to an end. Happy Hour to all! Rusty @RBH you can close out my account & delete all my posts. This is the only way I can do this. Thanks!

 

[MikeinRome]

This is a reply of my opinion & my opinion only. The views of the other vintage & historical FL members may differ. Everyone’s opinion & view evolves over time. But it seems like with every round of newbies the FL evolves more towards fashion & less towards vintage accuracy, collecting the best surviving examples & cloning of same (see WHAYWT); the FL members who think otherwise lose & adapt, or leave. I guess it’s my turn.

Old Stetson’s that are “real close” don’t cut it in my book. A custom clone used to mean that of an original with so rare a survival rate that original examples could rarely be found to add to your collection. So you found a hatmaker with an accurate block & the knowledge to clone an original copy of the hat. Now a custom hat means you get to pick the colors to match your shirt. A collection of hats simply means more hats. Soon there will be periwinkle BOP Customs with fuchsia Pink Petersham ribbons. Please leave a couple of unmolested threads for the true collectors that remain.

I realize this post is probably my sayonara song with the FL. Don’t take my opinions out on anyone else & let this be the last word so this can peacefully come to an end. Happy Hour to all! Rusty @RBH you can close out my account & delete all my posts. This is the only way I can do this. Thanks!

I never did get a look at the Boss of Plains stamp inside of that hat you keep loving to show. Think I've posted one elsewhere just as close to the real thing as yours. And I'm sure I've posted a large number of hats attempting to preserve authentic older hats. So all of the time you wasted falsely accusing me otherwise, you could have spent doing something useful with your life. Good luck to you

 

[Hurricane Jack]

I never did get a look at the Boss of Plains stamp inside of that hat you keep loving to show. Think I've posted one elsewhere just as close to the real thing as yours.

I’m afraid you have me confused with someone else.

 

[MikeinRome]

I’m afraid you have me confused with someone else.

Sorry, seems hard to tell apart from each other sometimes.

 

[Bamaboots]

Sorry, seems hard to tell apart from each other sometimes.

Oh I think you're confusing hats with people.

And if by chance you are speaking to me, the hat I posted is a members hat with all relevant info posted in this thread.

 

[Frunobulax]

Geez, guys!! It's obviously a Whippet.

 

[CRH]

Geez, guys!! It's obviously a Whippet.

View attachment 611163

WOP - Whippet of the Plaines?

 

[Thundercolt]

I found it on the Internet, it is a Whippet!