The Open Road Guild

[Orangegrad]

I would think 48-52 would be spot on.

Well, this OR is far older than I would have imagined. Thanks for the info.

 

[randooch]

Not too tall for your features at all, Andy! Looks just right.

 

[Orangegrad]

Thanks, Randall. In a day or two I'll wonder why I hadn't gotten one sooner.

 

[alanfgag]

Very nice 3X Open Road with embroidered Last Drop and translucent vinyl crown protector. I would guess early 1950s, but would defer to Carouselvic's knowledge. Looks to be in great condition and it looks very good on you. Enjoy!

 

[Orangegrad]

Thanks for all the replies gents. I think it's time to take my wife and my new old OR on a trip around Little Italy. Maybe the OR would be more at home in Texas, but we'll have to make do with Cleveland.

 

[EggHead]

Orangegrad, that OR is perfect for you.

 

[Orangegrad]

Orangegrad, that OR is perfect for you.

Thanks, this OR will keep me going until the Black Sheep comes in.

 

[Rabbit]

I have a question for the more experienced Open Road folks out there.

Below are some pics of a Stetson Twenty-Five that I acquired from fellow lounger bond (thank you Scott for this wonderful hat!).
My date guess based on felt quality, sweat, liner & tag would be late 40s, else early 50s.

It has the dimensions and the specs of an Open Road without being labeled as an OR. I have read somewhere that Stetson did produce some ORs without the Open Road name on the sweatband, especially for the Texan market.

Does anyone have any information on this topic, or whether this particular hat is indeed an OR?

5.5" x 2 3/4", silverbelly.
2 " sweatband, fairly thin leather and very soft.
The felt is exceptionally malleable and takes any dry crease.

 

[Rabbit]

The crease below is to show off the malleable felt

 

[zetwal]

Does anyone have any information on this topic, or whether this particular hat is indeed an OR?

There will be those who share the other view, of course. But I think something close to agreement was reached on this topic a long time ago. If a hat (Stetson or otherwise) does not say Open Road, it's not an Open Road. The same logic applies to Whippets and *******s, and so on (and on).
Either way, I love your Stetson Twenty-Five. It looks like a great hat ... :yo:

 

[hatophile]

By the same token, it looks like an OR and it's a great looking hat so wear and enjoy!

 

[alanfgag]

Looks great and I think your estimate of late forties to early fifties is correct. There are many examples here of Stetson dress westerns in quality designations from Royal to 100 that carry all the elements of the Open Road save the imprint.

Only you and your hairdresser will know for sure. Enjoy!

 

[Rabbit]

There will be those who share the other view, of course. But I think something close to agreement was reached on this topic a long time ago. If a hat (Stetson or otherwise) does not say Open Road, it's not an Open Road. The same logic applies to Whippets and *******s, and so on (and on).
Either way, I love your Stetson Twenty-Five. It looks like a great hat ... :yo:

I remember reading a discussion on this topic in relation to the W word... I agree.
For what it's worth, here's what I read about this un-labeled OR thing.
Some stores in Texas, if I remember correctly, ordered their ORs from Stetson requesting that the sweatband remain un-labeled. They did that, so the story went, in order to make the hats more appealing to customers who knew quality when they saw it but who at the same time were known to be somewhat allergic to labels, marketing names etc.
I cannot really confirm this information, so I'll leave it at that.
Of course I don't intend to open the old discussion again

Thanks anyway, zetwal

 

[Rabbit]

thanks hatophile and alan, I shall wear it with pride

 

[zetwal]

By the way, what is mid-oval anyway?

I have read statements that it is between wide-oval and regular-oval (unmarked). I have also come across the claim that it is between regular-oval and long-oval.

I don't remember if I have come across the notion that it's really the same thing as regular-oval. But that doesn't sound entirely implausible either.

My experience with mid-ovals is minimal. To date, I have handled just two, and both seemed like a regular unmarked oval. I couldn't tell by the shape what mid-oval may have meant. Does anyone know for sure?

 

[JTopenroad]

My latest addition. Open Road 25 from the bay.

The seller stated that this hat was given to a family member and never worn. It was a little rumpled from improper storage and shipping.

I popped up the crown and gave it a good soaking with distilled water.

The liner and band are spotless so the story of never being worn is possible.

After a liitle work and some steam the hat settled into this bash.

It remains a little lumpy but somehow it seems to work, I like a hat with character.

 

[DougC]

Thanks for the inspiration! After seing your post, I reshaped my OR Royal Deluxe from a tear drop crease to a cattleman.

 

[jlee562]

Can the collective knowledge of the Guild confirm/deny that this 3x I just won on eBay is indeed a 50's OR?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250979737017&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:1123

 

[carouselvic]

late 40's-early 50's

 

[hatophile]

Wow, that's a nice one, even has the embroidered liner!