The Resistol Roundup

[MikeP]

Oh sure, there's no question that pre-70s felt was simply, in most cases, better quality even at the lower end. But that being said the big manufacturers still make expensive, quality hats designed for their niche purpose: Ranching. A high-end western these days will be thin, good quality felt. And at the end of the day it just demonstrates that we have different relationships to what we put on our respective heads, despite all the similarities. Part of why I usually just lurk about here, tbh, I'm not interested in getting into arguments where everyone is right because it is a subjective personal preference. And I certainly have no expectation for dress hat folks to really understand the ranching world and just how chaotic & rough it is day-in and day-out.

I suppose at the end of the day ranchers, cowboys, barrel racers, rodeo queens, etc., all know that that hat is gonna get knocked off your head eventually, and it'll likely take a tumble on the ground, could get stepped on by a horse or other animal, and at the least it'll get banged up and thrown about. Stiffness simply helps make the hat tougher to be able to match the punishment that'll be thrown at it when it is a "work hat" and not a "fashion hat".

It very well may look better or certainly be more interesting. But the point of the western hat isn't to look good. Nor is it to even demonstrate individuality as happens often with various accoutrements. It isn't something you even think about other people seeing, really, because it is a work hat. I don't like my hat being complimented, really, because that's not why I'm wearing it—where I came from that was just... how it was. You'd compliment a clearly new custom, but not the ratty Diamond Horseshoe that's seen more days of driving rain than most dress hats see in their lifetime. And in that culture no one is gonna judge someone for what work hat they wear on their head, because at the end of the day it is a tool. Heck, the ranchers and proper cowhands I have known over the years mostly wear ratty baseball caps these days, because they get the job done and they don't set you back a whole month's pay when that horse you turned away from for a second decides your hat looks like a tasty treat.

And maybe the real heart of the matter is that folks in western culture have a tendency to be pretty set in our ways. We value order and neatness when we can get it. Having stiff hats that keep shape and look sharp is part of that. We're fairly minimalistic and practical when it comes to clothing: Stiff jeans, good quality boots, shirts that handle the gallons you'll sweat out like a champ. Scarves to ward against dust and cold... and a hat on top. Heck, I won't lie... it isn't the kind of culture you really want to stand out in. There's a kind of conformity that only comes about from clutching to ideas and traditions while the rest of the world continues to fly by. So a part of it is kinda just us being... us.

Well said!

 

[67lemans]

Here's Dutch, my 1983 Hi 7 5. Came from Alcalas in Chicago. Hated it when i first got it but grew to love it.
This is the one that got me buying older hats. ( I really don't consider 70s and 80 vintage.)
Dutch is retired now and looking for a new home.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Here's Dutch, my 1983 Hi 7 5.

Dutch is retired now and looking for a new home.

Don’t give up on it. You can do a lot with a Hi-7.

 

[wsmontana]

Don’t give up on it. You can do a lot with a Hi-7.

Very true. A highly workable and sturdy hat.

 

[Essoman172]

...for Resistol pics, discussions

(Spats gets thread title credit)

...for Resistol pics, discussions

(Spats gets thread title credit)

...for Resistol pics, discussions

(Spats gets thread title credit)

I picked up this Resistol today. Can anyone tell me about it? I haven’t been able to find this model on Google.

 

[MikeinRome]

Resistol Beaver One Hundred made for Phillips Petroleum President and CEO Stanley Learned from W F Long, whoever he was. Sweatband also says Rough Creek Ranch, which I think is a 2600 acre spread on the Colorado River in Mills County TX. Hat has 3 1/2 inch brim and 5 1/2 inch open crown.

 

[Rmccamey]

Whoo wee, that's one I'd like to have in my collection! Nice one, Mike. (The wife is from Mills county.)

Resistol Beaver One Hundred made for Phillips Petroleum President and CEO Stanley Learned from W F Long, whoever he was. Sweatband also says Rough Creek Ranch, which I think is a 2600 acre spread on the Colorado River in Mills County TX. Hat has 3 1/2 inch brim and 5 1/2 inch open crown.

 

[MikeinRome]

Whoo wee, that's one I'd like to have in my collection! Nice one, Mike. (The wife is from Mills county.)

Thanks, my friend. I think I came across it soon after it was listed on eBay because nobody was shown watching it, and I wasn't going to fool around and let it get away.

 

[MikeinRome]

Resistol Beaver One Hundred made for Phillips Petroleum President and CEO Stanley Learned from W F Long, whoever he was. Sweatband also says Rough Creek Ranch, which I think is a 2600 acre spread on the Colorado River in Mills County TX. Hat has 3 1/2 inch brim and 5 1/2 inch open crown.

Concerning Resistol mfg tags, the first pic is the tag in my Beaver One Hundred. The next two pics are from a red-liner Resistol. Notice that both tags are identical except the red liner hat tag has printing in the bottom half, while my tag is blank. I think the blank bottom tag is probably a little later. However, I have a red liner 5X hat and it's tag has a blank bottom, so somewhere in this red liner period is when the change occurred. Anyway, this is my theory about the evolution of the tags, which I guess is prior to Resistol shifting to the larger tags.

 

[DonR]

Just received this Resistol Beaver Supreme Rocker B along with a carying case. According to the seller, this had belong to her husband's grandfather late Texan US Congressman Albert Thomas.

Not a really thick felt, easily shaped with a very smooth hand. I'll most likely keep the gambler telescope crease for now due to the time it has remained like this and the likely permanent shadow. The horsehair band was already there over top the original grosgrain ribbon and not sewn in place.

It has a 2-3/4" brim and a 5-1/4" open crown, but only 3-5/8" as creased.

The case is fabric wrapped and padded on the inside which is nice, but not quite as nice as my Stetson 100 case on the outside.

I now have a Resistol Rocker B and a Stetson Rocking JB. This hat has a much nicer hand and lighter feel on the head.

I saw another Rocker B on here, and although this isn't as pristine, I'm proud to be the recipient and caregiver of this beautiful and possibility historic hat.

 

[wsmontana]

Just received this Resistol Beaver Supreme Rocker B along with a carying case. According to the seller, this had belong to he late Texan US Congressman Albert Thomas.

Not a really thick felt, easily shaped with a very smooth hand. I'll most likely keep the gamler telescope crease for now due to the time it has remained like this and the likely permanent shadow. The horsehair band was already there over top the orinalan grosgrain ribbon and not sewn in place.

It has a 2-3/4" brim and a 5-1/4" open crown, but only 3-5/8" as creased.

The case is fabric wrapped and padded on the inside which is nice, but not quite as nice as my Stetson 100 case on the outside.

I now have a Resistol Rocker B and a Stetson Rocking JB. This hat has a much nicer hand and lighter feel on the head.

I saw another Rocker B on here, and although this isn't as pristine, I'm proud to be the recipient and caregiver of this beautiful and possibility historic hat.

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That is a beauty, Don! Great find!

 

[Steve1857]

Just received this Resistol Beaver Supreme Rocker B along with a carying case. According to the seller, this had belong to he late Texan US Congressman Albert Thomas.

Not a really thick felt, easily shaped with a very smooth hand. I'll most likely keep the gamler telescope crease for now due to the time it has remained like this and the likely permanent shadow. The horsehair band was already there over top the orinalan grosgrain ribbon and not sewn in place.

It has a 2-3/4" brim and a 5-1/4" open crown, but only 3-5/8" as creased.

The case is fabric wrapped and padded on the inside which is nice, but not quite as nice as my Stetson 100 case on the outside.

I now have a Resistol Rocker B and a Stetson Rocking JB. This hat has a much nicer hand and lighter feel on the head.

I saw another Rocker B on here, and although this isn't as pristine, I'm proud to be the recipient and caregiver of this beautiful and possibility historic hat.

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That is one really nice find, Don. Great plus with the case. Congrats!

 

[DaveProc]

Just received this Resistol Beaver Supreme Rocker B along with a carying case. According to the seller, this had belong to her husband's grandfather late Texan US Congressman Albert Thomas.

Not a really thick felt, easily shaped with a very smooth hand. I'll most likely keep the gambler telescope crease for now due to the time it has remained like this and the likely permanent shadow. The horsehair band was already there over top the orinalan grosgrain ribbon and not sewn in place.

It has a 2-3/4" brim and a 5-1/4" open crown, but only 3-5/8" as creased.

The case is fabric wrapped and padded on the inside which is nice, but not quite as nice as my Stetson 100 case on the outside.

I now have a Resistol Rocker B and a Stetson Rocking JB. This hat has a much nicer hand and lighter feel on the head.

I saw another Rocker B on here, and although this isn't as pristine, I'm proud to be the recipient and caregiver of this beautiful and possibility historic hat.

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What a beauty!

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Just received this Resistol Beaver Supreme Rocker B along with a carying case.

Not familiar with the Rocker B but I’m sure it’s another one of the high end Resistols thru the yrs. Because of its provenance I wouldn’t change a thing. Congratulations!

 

[BobHufford]

orinalan grosgrain ribbon

Is “Orinalan” some sort of synthetic? ;-)

Amazing “get” on that hat. Congrats!

 

[Blare]

Just received this Resistol Beaver Supreme Rocker B along with a carying case. According to the seller, this had belong to her husband's grandfather late Texan US Congressman Albert Thomas.

Not a really thick felt, easily shaped with a very smooth hand. I'll most likely keep the gambler telescope crease for now due to the time it has remained like this and the likely permanent shadow. The horsehair band was already there over top the orinalan grosgrain ribbon and not sewn in place.

It has a 2-3/4" brim and a 5-1/4" open crown, but only 3-5/8" as creased.

The case is fabric wrapped and padded on the inside which is nice, but not quite as nice as my Stetson 100 case on the outside.

I now have a Resistol Rocker B and a Stetson Rocking JB. This hat has a much nicer hand and lighter feel on the head.

I saw another Rocker B on here, and although this isn't as pristine, I'm proud to be the recipient and caregiver of this beautiful and possibility historic hat.

View attachment 714538
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It really gives the impression of a taller crown then 3 5/8. Boy can those telescope bashes eat up some crown height

 

[DonR]

That is a beauty, Don! Great find!

That is one really nice find, Don. Great plus with the case. Congrats!

What a beauty!

Not familiar with the Rocker B but I’m sure it’s another one of the high end Resistols thru the yrs. Because of its provenance I wouldn’t change a thing. Congratulations!

Is “Orinalan” some sort of synthetic? ;-)

Amazing “get” on that hat. Congrats!

It really gives the impression of a taller crown then 3 5/8. Boy can those telescope bashes eat up some crown height

It sure does Joe.

Thanks guys. Much appreciated.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

It sure does Joe.

Thanks guys. Much appreciated.

Just an FYI to go along with your hat, being a Texas Democrat Albert Thomas is shown in the famous pic of LBJ being sworn in as President on Air Force One. Thomas is standing off to LBJ’s right. Too bad the hat isn’t in the pic.

 

[DonR]

Just an FYI to go along with your hat, being a Texas Democrat Albert Thomas is shown in the famous pic of LBJ being sworn in as President on Air Force One. Thomas is standing off to LBJ’s right. Too bad the hat isn’t in the pic.

Yeah I tried finding a picture of him with the hat on, but didn't have any luck. I have reached out to the seller to see if she had a picture that she would be willing to share.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Yeah I tried finding a picture of him with the hat on, but didn't have any luck. I have reached out to the seller to see if she had a picture that she would be willing to share.

With Harry Rolnick being a personal friend & political supporter to LBJ it stands to reason that he probably supported Thomas also, & why Thomas would have a Resistol.