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Pre 1940s Stetson Westerns

buler

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,375
Location
Wisconsin
We've seen this mark in old Stetson literature, but I don't believe we've seen a hat with it. Anyway, this was sold thru an online auction service.

B

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buler

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,375
Location
Wisconsin
Stetson Clear Nutria - 6 1/2" crown with 4 1/2" brim, dress ribbon and brim binding. Relatively flat brim with pencil curl. Taped rear sweat. Lot number appears to be 6876. Sold at Small The Men's Furnisher in Belle Fource, SD (near Deadwood and home of Seth Bullock's ranch). Round black size tag and |||||| sweat stitching.

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parispal

Familiar Face
Messages
64
Location
France
Looks like preware Stetsons have the same collectible value as prewar Martin guitars, albeit less expensive ;)
 

FedOregon

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,134
Location
Oregon
Is the nutria considered a better felt than beaver? There are lots of SA nutria running around the farmland here in the Willamette Valley. People thought they could raise them like mink and make tons of money doing it, but then released them when they lost their shirts in the endeavor.

An acquaintance from 2 decades ago used to shoot them like vermin to help farmers protect their crops from significant destruction by the nutria.
 
Messages
11,161
Location
Alabama
Is the nutria considered a better felt than beaver? There are lots of SA nutria running around the farmland here in the Willamette Valley. People thought they could raise them like mink and make tons of money doing it, but then released them when they lost their shirts in the endeavor.

It makes a nice sturdy hat and was popular in western hats for awhile and prized by collectors now as they seem to be fairly rare. I was happy to find one.

Nutria are such a nuisance in Louisiana, the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Dept. SWAT team cruises along the canals late at night shooting them with .22 rifles from the bed of pickup trucks for nuisance control and target practice for their team members.
 
Messages
17,572
It makes a nice sturdy hat and was popular in western hats for awhile and prized by collectors now as they seem to be fairly rare. I was happy to find one.

Nutria are such a nuisance in Louisiana, the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Dept. SWAT team cruises along the canals late at night shooting them with .22 rifles from the bed of pickup trucks for nuisance control and target practice for their team members.
They're rodents. Which causes the pelts of those that survive long enough to be harvested to be smaller than pelts were 100 yrs or more ago.
 

Tonio

A-List Customer
Messages
445
Tomorrow I am eagerly expecting this early Stetson No.1 Quality with The Fray sweatband. Such a great style - grommets, brim curl, the sweatband, vented top. I decided to do some research on the history on the business that sold it originally. Thought I'd share some things I came across.

(Seller photos)
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John Charles Meussdorferr was a well established man in his day even beyond the hat business.
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Meussdorffer's sons continued the business after his passing under the name "J.C Meussdorffer Sons" which is on the sweatband of this hat.

On April 18, 1906, after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the city, fires break out in San Francisco. Over 80% of the city is destroyed by earthquake or fire. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1906_San_Francisco_earthquake

Here is a video of Market Street in 1906 (before the earthquake) where Mr. Meussdorferr also had a shop for a period of time.

The business was relocated to 909 Fillmore St as a result. Here is an advertisement claiming to be the first hatter open in SF, and after the fire.
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The San Fransisco directory from 1906-1908 shows "J.C. Meussdorferr Sons" address as 909 Fillmore St. After 1908, address reads as 923 Fillmore.
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