Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

The Resistol Roundup

bmw1976

One of the Regulars
Messages
117
Location
Boise, ID
I got this Resistol Twelve Fifty (Kitten Finish) a few days ago. It is a San Antonio style, but doesn't say the model anywhere. The crown was unshaped and I prefer a cattleman's crease, so Ive been working to get that back. The size wasn't posted, but I found that it's a 7.5, which is too large for me. I'll probably try some reducers from Amazon because I love the hat.

I believe it's from the mid-1940's to early 50's with some of the details like the oil skin liner cover, unique O's, and the designed by Harry Rolnick logo. Please correct me if I'm wrong or if you see anything else that would narrow it down. It also has some staining on back from the metal oxidation. I haven't done any cleaning, except for some brushing. Is it worth trying to remove that? It doesn't bother me whatsoever, so I probably won't mess with that.

Hopefully my link works:

 

bmw1976

One of the Regulars
Messages
117
Location
Boise, ID
Her is my 2nd entry into the Resistol Roundup for your delight (or, at least mine). A western Resistol 6x beaver with razor thin felt, and a very stiff brim. It had some crown damage upon receipt that I was aware of and thought I could quickly alleviate. It's so far proven beyond my skill level. It's noticeable in some lighting, but not so much at other times. It annoys me a bit, but also gives it character, so it's a give and take. I believe it's a late 1970s to early 80's model, but no ealier than 1977. After researching a bit, the shop opened in 1977 and closed in 2016 (if I remember correctly). I've been in the shop a few times, so it carries a little sentimental value for me vacationing with fond memories in Sisters and the Bend, OR area.

 
Last edited:

bmw1976

One of the Regulars
Messages
117
Location
Boise, ID
HatCo did not resume manufacturing hats in-house until the early 1980’s & the 6X designation was not introduced until the mid-1980’s.
Good to know! I thought it would have had the size in cm (56) as well if it was mid-80's. I saw another thread with either a Stetson or Resistol with the cm tag with a date stamp in '83. Thanks for the additional info.
 
Messages
19,377
Good to know! I thought it would have had the size in cm (56) as well if it was mid-80's. I saw another thread with either a Stetson or Resistol with the cm tag with a date stamp in '83. Thanks for the additional info.
When the 6X was introduced it was for the OR & SA lines only. It was another yr, maybe two, before it took over the full size Westerns.

Im trying to place that round sticker on the sweat. I remember the laser cut stickers photograph funny looking because the prism effect does not photograph. Is that a prism like sticker?
 

bmw1976

One of the Regulars
Messages
117
Location
Boise, ID
When the 6X was introduced it was for the OR & SA lines only. It was another yr, maybe two, before it took over the full size Westerns.

Im trying to place that round sticker on the sweat. I remember the laser cut stickers photograph funny looking because the prism effect does not photograph. Is that a prism like sticker?
No, there is no hologram on the sticker. I just looked and am not too sure what it is. It reads: WEAMA * Quality Services * Authentic Products. It took me a while to figure out what the shape was inside, but it's a horse head (in white, neck is black / shadow) with a moon or circle behind it.

I appreciate that additional info!
 
Watched this at auction today. I found nothing similar “out there” so I stayed out of it. Wondering if this sweatband just ended up in another hat. Maybe the glued sweatband seam is a clue. Anyone seen an “official” Resistol like this?

IMG_6434.jpeg


IMG_6433.jpeg


IMG_6435.jpeg


IMG_6436.jpeg


IMG_6438.jpeg


IMG_6437.jpeg
 

DaveProc

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,477
Location
Rhode Island

VoodooSan

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,305
Location
Boise, ID
It reads: WEAMA * Quality Services * Authentic Products. It took me a while to figure out what the shape was inside, but it's a horse head (in white, neck is black / shadow) with a moon or circle behind it.
I went down the rabbit hole on this awhile back. WAEMA stood for Western and English Manufacturers Association, and, as near as I could determine, was a business association of such people for the furtherment/betterment of the the trade. I think they were sort of a smaller and lesser recognized trade group similar to WESA. I found a 1976 newspaper article in the Nevada State Journal, noting that the Reno Chamber of Commerce had announced the booking of WAEMA's next convention for March of 1977. It stated that the group was expecting approximately 1,800 attendees, included the manufacturers of Levi Strauss, Justin Boot Co., and Lee Western Wear, and had previously met in Las Vegas for 10 years.

In that same journal in 1977, there's a photo of 5 attendees taken at the convention: Alvin Davis, owner of The Cowboy Store in Brownfield, Texas and the Chairman of the Western and English Retailers of America; Rex Allen, the western singer, and TV & movie actor; Cecil Jones, rodeo producer and secretary/director of the PRCA; Slim Pickens, the TV and movie actor; Bill Johnson, VP of The Farnam Companies of Arizona and President of WAEMA.

That's all I've been able to track down about the organization so far.
 
Last edited:

One Drop

A-List Customer
Messages
452
Location
Swiss Alps

bmw1976

One of the Regulars
Messages
117
Location
Boise, ID
I went down the rabbit hole on this awhile back. WAEMA stood for Western and English Manufacturers Association, and, as near as I could determine, was a business association of such people for the furtherment/betterment of the the trade. I think they were sort of a smaller and lesser recognized trade group similar to WESA. I found a 1976 newspaper article in the Nevada State Journal, noting that the Reno Chamber of Commerce had announced the booking of WAEMA's next convention for March of 1977. It stated that the group was expecting approximately 1,800 attendees, included the manufacturers of Levi Strauss, Justin Boot Co., and Lee Western Wear, and had previously met in Las Vegas for 10 years.

In that same journal in 1977, there's a photo of 5 attendees taken at the convention: Alvin Davis, owner of The Cowboy Store in Brownfield Texas and the Chainman of the Western and English Retailers of America; Rex Allen, the western singer, and TV & movie actor; Cecil Jones, rodeo producer and secretary/director of the PRCA; Slim Pickens, the TV and movie actor; Bill Johnson, VP of The Farnam Companies of Arizona and President of WAEMA.

That's all I've been able to track down about the organization so far.
Nice. Looking back I see that I had a dyslexic moment listing it as WEAMA instead of WAEMA. I found another archived article that references the association in the NY Times (Nov, 1982) during the fall of the Urban Cowboy craze and how it affected the industry. They listed Sylvia Kornelsen as the executive director of WAEMA. The article noted that it was based out of Denver and represented appropriately 100 makers and distributors at that time.
 

bmw1976

One of the Regulars
Messages
117
Location
Boise, ID
Okay, here is one I got in yesterday that I previously posted in the 'waiting for today' thread. A Resistol Topeka 3x Beaver. It showed up a little dusty, but basically in as new condition. It's definitely a dressy western, especially in the navy blue color. The 3-1/4" pencil curled brim feels similarly stiff, and shaped, as my Beaver Blend Twenty homburg. I was hoping the crown wasn't too tall on me, as I have a longer, thinner face shape (less so with the beard ;)).
 

Attachments

  • 20260117_212814.jpg
    20260117_212814.jpg
    872.2 KB · Views: 74
  • 20260118_115144.jpg
    20260118_115144.jpg
    2.6 MB · Views: 67
  • 20260118_115137.jpg
    20260118_115137.jpg
    3 MB · Views: 63
  • 20260118_115129.jpg
    20260118_115129.jpg
    2.1 MB · Views: 58
  • 20260118_115125.jpg
    20260118_115125.jpg
    3.1 MB · Views: 56
  • 20260118_115054.jpg
    20260118_115054.jpg
    2.5 MB · Views: 61
  • 20260118_115014.jpg
    20260118_115014.jpg
    2.6 MB · Views: 56
  • 20260118_115008.jpg
    20260118_115008.jpg
    2.4 MB · Views: 67
  • 20260118_114952.jpg
    20260118_114952.jpg
    2.5 MB · Views: 76
Messages
13,373
Okay, here is one I got in yesterday that I previously posted in the 'waiting for today' thread. A Resistol Topeka 3x Beaver. It showed up a little dusty, but basically in as new condition. It's definitely a dressy western, especially in the navy blue color. The 3-1/4" pencil curled brim feels similarly stiff, and shaped, as my Beaver Blend Twenty homburg. I was hoping the crown wasn't too tall on me, as I have a longer, thinner face shape (less so with the beard ;)).
Looks fantastic
 

VoodooSan

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,305
Location
Boise, ID
Okay, here is one I got in yesterday that I previously posted in the 'waiting for today' thread. A Resistol Topeka 3x Beaver. It showed up a little dusty, but basically in as new condition. It's definitely a dressy western, especially in the navy blue color. The 3-1/4" pencil curled brim feels similarly stiff, and shaped, as my Beaver Blend Twenty homburg. I was hoping the crown wasn't too tall on me, as I have a longer, thinner face shape (less so with the beard ;)).
That is freakin' KILLER, and looks terrific on you!
 

wsmontana

Practically Family
Messages
748
Location
Montana
Okay, here is one I got in yesterday that I previously posted in the 'waiting for today' thread. A Resistol Topeka 3x Beaver. It showed up a little dusty, but basically in as new condition. It's definitely a dressy western, especially in the navy blue color. The 3-1/4" pencil curled brim feels similarly stiff, and shaped, as my Beaver Blend Twenty homburg. I was hoping the crown wasn't too tall on me, as I have a longer, thinner face shape (less so with the beard ;)).
Great find — looks great on you!
 

3toes

New in Town
Messages
2
Good morning, new around here and hoping to get some insight!

Picked up a pair of Resistol hats over the last month and a half for great prices, and would greatly appreciate some help in narrowing down the date range of each. So apologies in advance for the double post.

The first is a 3x beaver in brown. Has the "United..." union tag, so I'm confident it's at least pre '83. Also has hand-written tags, so I'm hoping it's even pre '70s. Again, any insight is greatly appreciated!
 

Attachments

  • 6427.jpg
    6427.jpg
    907.1 KB · Views: 36
  • 6430.jpg
    6430.jpg
    384.7 KB · Views: 40
  • 6436.jpg
    6436.jpg
    671.8 KB · Views: 38
  • 6439.jpg
    6439.jpg
    599.2 KB · Views: 32
  • 6460.jpg
    6460.jpg
    3.1 MB · Views: 46
  • 6459.jpg
    6459.jpg
    523.7 KB · Views: 40
  • 6442.jpg
    6442.jpg
    599 KB · Views: 42

3toes

New in Town
Messages
2
Again, sorry for the double-post... the second hat is a 7x beaver. Has the "Amalgamated" tag, so I know it's post '83, but beyond that? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 

Attachments

  • 6943.jpg
    6943.jpg
    2.7 MB · Views: 45
  • 6944.jpg
    6944.jpg
    1.9 MB · Views: 42
  • 6946.jpg
    6946.jpg
    2.6 MB · Views: 39
  • 6947.jpg
    6947.jpg
    3.6 MB · Views: 46
  • 6940.jpg
    6940.jpg
    2.9 MB · Views: 39
  • 6941.jpg
    6941.jpg
    3.3 MB · Views: 39
  • 6942.jpg
    6942.jpg
    2.9 MB · Views: 39

Forum statistics

Threads
114,449
Messages
3,174,821
Members
58,286
Latest member
kaanchkaglass
Top