Western, anyone?

[wsmontana]

This one arrived today, thanks to a tip from one of several friends who notify me when they come across something they think is up my alley.

Worth brand, made by the Harris-Polk Hat Co. of St. Louis.

It was sold through Ten Sleep Mercantile, in Ten Sleep, Wyoming. An American Indian rest stop, the town was so called because it was 10 days' travel, or “10 sleeps,” from both Fort Laramie and Yellowstone National Park, as well as the Indian Agency on the Stillwater River in Montana. The Mercantile was built in 1905, and the building still stands to this day, although no longer housing a general store.

I’d estimate it to be a 1920s vintage, making it the second-oldest hat in my collection. It’s in remarkable shape, (other than missing its lining), with tremendous dimensions: a 7.5” open crown, currently creased to 6.5” at the rear, and 4.5” at the front, with a 1.75” ribbon. The bound View attachment 718859 View attachment 718860 View attachment 718861 View attachment 718862 brim is 5” wide, with a ¾” kettle curl. I may or may not add some curl and dip to the crown; I haven't decided yet.

Wow, Mark, that is a stunner! Great find!

 

[VoodooSan]

Nice addition!

That's a wonderful find, Mark. Love the history behind it, too.

Congrats!

What a hat!!
Looks great on the ole noggin, too.
Glad it found a head that fits and a fitting head.
My vote is for more swoop!

Thanks, gents!! And yes, Randall, I'm working up the courage to shape the brim a bit!

 

[VoodooSan]

Wow, Mark, that is a stunner! Great find!

Thanks, Bill!

 

[Blare]

This one arrived today, thanks to a tip from one of several friends who notify me when they come across something they think is up my alley.

Worth brand, made by the Harris-Polk Hat Co. of St. Louis.

It was sold through Ten Sleep Mercantile, in Ten Sleep, Wyoming. An American Indian rest stop, the town was so called because it was 10 days' travel, or “10 sleeps,” from both Fort Laramie and Yellowstone National Park, as well as the Indian Agency on the Stillwater River in Montana. The Mercantile was built in 1905, and the building still stands to this day, although no longer housing a general store.

I’d estimate it to be a 1920s vintage, making it the second-oldest hat in my collection. It’s in remarkable shape, (other than missing its lining), with tremendous dimensions: a 7.5” open crown, currently creased to 6.5” at the rear, and 4.5” at the front, with a 1.75” ribbon. The bound brim is 5” wide, with a ¾” kettle curl. I may or may not add some curl and dip to the crown; I haven't decided yet.


View attachment 718859 View attachment 718860 View attachment 718861 View attachment 718862

Dang! Heck of a hat, Mark!

 

[VoodooSan]

Dang! Heck of a hat, Mark!

Thanks, Joe!

 

[67lemans]

M and F Bangora. It was pretty humid today and this thing was hot. It is time to upgrade to something that breathes better. I'd appreciate any suggestions.

 

[MikeinRome]

This one arrived today, thanks to a tip from one of several friends who notify me when they come across something they think is up my alley.

Worth brand, made by the Harris-Polk Hat Co. of St. Louis.

It was sold through Ten Sleep Mercantile, in Ten Sleep, Wyoming. An American Indian rest stop, the town was so called because it was 10 days' travel, or “10 sleeps,” from both Fort Laramie and Yellowstone National Park, as well as the Indian Agency on the Stillwater River in Montana. The Mercantile was built in 1905, and the building still stands to this day, although no longer housing a general store.

I’d estimate it to be a 1920s vintage, making it the second-oldest hat in my collection. It’s in remarkable shape, (other than missing its lining), with tremendous dimensions: a 7.5” open crown, currently creased to 6.5” at the rear, and 4.5” at the front, with a 1.75” ribbon. The bound brim is 5” wide, with a ¾” kettle curl. I may or may not add some curl and dip to the crown; I haven't decided yet.


View attachment 718859 View attachment 718860 View attachment 718861 View attachment 718862

The more I look at that hat, the more I love it. Hats of that size and age are so scarce to find these days.

 

[VoodooSan]

The more I look at that hat, the more I love it. Hats of that size and age are so scarce to find these days.

I agree 100%, Mike. I'm still stunned I was actually able to score this one.

 

[MikeinRome]

I agree 100%, Mike. I'm still stunned I was actually able to score this one.

I felt the same way when I was able to get my Stetson Tom Mix hat, which has the exact same dimensions as your hat.

 

[georgie girl]

This one arrived today, thanks to a tip from one of several friends who notify me when they come across something they think is up my alley.

Worth brand, made by the Harris-Polk Hat Co. of St. Louis.

It was sold through Ten Sleep Mercantile, in Ten Sleep, Wyoming. An American Indian rest stop, the town was so called because it was 10 days' travel, or “10 sleeps,” from both Fort Laramie and Yellowstone National Park, as well as the Indian Agency on the Stillwater River in Montana. The Mercantile was built in 1905, and the building still stands to this day, although no longer housing a general store.

I’d estimate it to be a 1920s vintage, making it the second-oldest hat in my collection. It’s in remarkable shape, (other than missing its lining), with tremendous dimensions: a 7.5” open crown, currently creased to 6.5” at the rear, and 4.5” at the front, with a 1.75” ribbon. The bound brim is 5” wide, with a ¾” kettle curl. I may or may not add some curl and dip to the crown; I haven't decided yet.


View attachment 718860

That's a perty one Mark, nice!

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Resistol Fort Worth open crown on a stormy morning.

 

[wsmontana]

Thanks for the inspiration @Hurricane Jack!

A morning project — I turned this once flattened and dirty Resistol Hi Sierra into a Revenger. A 6 1/2” open crown makes for a nice 4 1/4” telescope crown.

Gotta love the durability and bashability of these old Resistol’s.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Thanks for the inspiration @Hurricane Jack!

I like having a big open crown around. Always remind me of Curly Mustache Begay & his son, Hosteen Begay. Both long passed now.

 

[singlechange]

This Fox Hat Company arrived in the mail last week. The seller posted poor pics, missing the liner and described it as wool. A few days prior to finding the hat, as chance would have it, I had read an article about American western hat makers and in it I learned that Fox was started in 1910 in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1946, it became Fox Hat Company and only took orders to the specifications of the buyer, used fine imported fur, shipped 3,000 hats yearly. I spent a few days working on it with boar bristle brush and softer brush and steamer. The open crown turned out to be 5 3/4 inches and the brim 4 inches. Leather sweatband looks original. Probably circa 1950s. No date code. No indication of what grade the felt is. I classify western hat felt as decent quality (Stetson No.1 Quality circa 1960s), high end felt quality (Stetson 3X circa 1950s), and outstanding quality (Stetson 7X Clear Beaver circa 1950s). That's just my own experience. This Fox Hat Company is right in the middle of decent and high end. Paid just about what I spend for 5 galleons of premium gas, so I am quite satisfied. It is my second attempt at bashing a western hat. I figured if a working cowboy in the 19th century can do it I could too. If you come across one in the wild, you might want to consider one for yourself.

 

[Who?]

Looks pretty good to me.

I like it open crown.

 

[StoryPNW]

It was a warm one today, wore my USFS Stetson straw.

 

[wsmontana]

I like having a big open crown around. Always remind me of Curly Mustache Begay & his son, Hosteen Begay. Both long passed now.

View attachment 722234

Those are great. For me, I associate the open crown with the hat worn by Hoss. I have a Stetson Grizzly like it that I’ll wear occasionally.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Those are great. For me, I associate the open crown with the hat worn by Hoss. I have a Stetson Grizzly like it that I’ll wear occasionally.
View attachment 722313

Curly Mustache was a Navajo Elder, medicine man & spiritual healer, philosopher & maybe a past Navajo Chief (I can’t remember). He wrote his teachings in several small booklets. I read all I could find while in college. He lived a fascinating 104 yrs.

 

[Thundercolt]

 

[Hurricane Jack]

1980’s Resistol 7X with 2-cord ribbon