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[Hoss333]

Help me identify the name and date of this vintage 4x stetson, the guy I bought it from claims it's an open road but the raw edge brim makes me think he's wrong.

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[deadlyhandsome]

Hey Hoss, I really don’t know what it is you’re asking. It’s a Stetson 4X with a two-cord ribbon in what looks like silverbelly. It’s a very common style and quality level found on the used market.

 

[Hoss333]

Hey Hoss, I really don’t know what it is you’re asking. It’s a Stetson 4X with a two-cord ribbon in what looks like silverbelly. It’s a very common style and quality level found on the used market.

Sorry I'm new and don't know what I'm doing lol im trying to identify the name and date of this old 4x stetson, the guy I bought it from claims it's an open road but the raw edge brim makes me think he's wrong.

 

[carouselvic]

He is wrong and you are right

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Sorry I'm new and don't know what I'm doing lol im trying to identify the name and date of this old 4x stetson, the guy I bought it from claims it's an open road but the raw edge brim makes me think he's wrong.

Often the best we can do when dating a hat is to get within a decade. A great many of the used hats advertised and sold as Open Roads are some other model. The ribbon, brim width, and the raw edge all disqualify this hat from being an Open Road.

 

[Just Daniel]

If you are interested in vintage hats, there is a lot of information all over the forum to get you started. It is generally accepted that vintage Stetsons are of higher quality than than the modern versions. Depending on your size, you can find a nice quality Open Road from the 50s pretty quickly.

These Stetsons with black sweatbands and silk screened liners are immediately identified as more modern hats.

Here is the Open Road Guild thread:
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/the-open-road-guild.7047/

Assuming you are just getting started, here is a super fast Stetson quality primer:

Quality Levels and Original Prices (1940, 50-ish)

Royal: $10
Royal Deluxe: 12.50
3X Beaver Quality: $15
Sovereign: $20
Stetson 25: $25
Stetson 7X Clear Beaver: $50
Stetson 100: $100

Plastic liner covers usually indicate a post 1952 hat. Black square size tags and/or black leather sweatbands usually mean a 60s or later hat.

Here is a fun 7X thread:
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/stetson-7x-clear-beaver-quality.23059/

I hope that helps, enjoy the adventure!
Daniel

Sorry I'm new and don't know what I'm doing lol im trying to identify the name and date of this old 4x stetson, the guy I bought it from claims it's an open road but the raw edge brim makes me think he's wrong.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

What do we think of this? Seller states it’s dead stock...doesn’t immediately scream modified.

A two inch overwelt OR?

 

[BobHufford]

What do we think of this? Seller states it’s dead stock...

Interesting combination. I see sellers listing hats as new-in-box, dead-stock, NOS, etc. just because they have the box (many times that box's size markings -- or brand -- don't even match the hat). Not sure too many dead-stock hats would have someone's initials in it. An unworn hat perhaps...

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Interesting combination. I see sellers listing hats as new-in-box, dead-stock, NOS, etc. just because they have the box (many times that box's size markings -- or brand -- don't even match the hat). Not sure too many dead-stock hats would have someone's initials in it. An unworn hat perhaps...

I agree. Some terms get thrown around so casually that they end up without any real meaning. Yesterday I was looking at a hat that was “new without tags” and also described as having moderate wear “damage.”

I suspect that this OR was modified at some point, but it’s intriguing all the same.

 

[Blare]

What do we think of this? Seller states it’s dead stock...doesn’t immediately scream modified.


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A two inch overwelt OR?

Very unusual. But very cool as well

 

[belfastboy]

What do we think of this? Seller states it’s dead stock...doesn’t immediately scream modified.


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A two inch overwelt OR?

That is a cool hat. I have a weakness for taller crowns with shorter brims. I put them in a separate category...not fedoras but in my mind not really stingy brims either.

 

[M Hatman]

What do we think of this? Seller states it’s dead stock...doesn’t immediately scream modified.


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A two inch overwelt OR?

YES, it has been modified......why in the world one just never knows....probebly had it cleaned and altered in 60's......I have an awsome late 40's early 50's Dobbs Twenty they welted down to a little over 2" brim (actually about 2 1/4) that would have been closer to 2 3/4 origionally (with a Cav edge.....still it makes me a little thinking about the origional brim)........because of that it DOES give it a nice 30's look now that I actually like (and because of that it gets good head time). ON this one however..... I do not think the owner liked the "new" look given the lack of wear since.........and I know I don't like it.......perhaps with a wide ribbon it would shine.......the narrow ribbons look awful on tall crown short brims.

 

[Zombie_61]

...perhaps with a wide ribbon it would shine.......the narrow ribbons look awful on tall crown short brims.

The one advantage to a tall crown on any hat regardless of ribbon or brim width is that you can crease the crown as tall or short as you like (within reason). I never thought I had a particularly tall head until I started wearing hats and realized I need a tall crown or my head won't fit in the hat after it's been creased.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

YES, it has been modified......why in the world one just never knows....probebly had it cleaned and altered in 60's......I have an awsome late 40's early 50's Dobbs Twenty they welted down to a little over 2" brim (actually about 2 1/4) that would have been closer to 2 3/4 origionally (with a Cav edge.....still it makes me a little thinking about the origional brim)........because of that it DOES give it a nice 30's look now that I actually like (and because of that it gets good head time). ON this one however..... I do not think the owner liked the "new" look given the lack of wear since.........and I know I don't like it.......perhaps with a wide ribbon it would shine.......the narrow ribbons look awful on tall crown short brims.

Nope. I’m certifying it as a factory original OR with a 2” overwelt brim. Furthermore, the initials on the sweatband CRK are for Charles Rann Kennedy who died in 1867 so surely this hat is older than that. I’m offering it for the very reasonable price of $10,000. I should also mention that it’s an Open Road Whippet so you know it’s worth the $10K.

 

[mark balen]

I have always wanted an Open Road Whippet, especially with the overwelt brim. The fact that Charles Rann Kennedy owned it and it is a pre- 1867....well...what more could you want!

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I have always wanted an Open Road Whippet, especially with the overwelt brim. The fact that Charles Rann Kennedy owned it and it is a pre- 1867....well...what more could you want!

If you send the money via PayPal friends and family I’d sell it to you for $9,500 for today only. No need to thank me, that’s just the kind of guy I am.

 

[M Hatman]

Nope. I’m certifying it as a factory original OR with a 2” overwelt brim. Furthermore, the initials on the sweatband CRK are for Charles Rann Kennedy who died in 1867 so surely this hat is older than that. I’m offering it for the very reasonable price of $10,000. I should also mention that it’s an Open Road Whippet so you know it’s worth the $10K.

You forgot to mention that even though it is marked as a 7 3/8 it has stretched through the years and is now a 7 5/8!
So........where do I send my money again!?!?

 

[Zombie_61]

If you send the money via PayPal friends and family I’d sell it to you for $9,500 for today only. No need to thank me, that’s just the kind of guy I am.

Jeez, a '67 Kennedy for only $9,500? At that price you're just giving it away.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Jeez, a '67 Kennedy for only $9,500? At that price you're just giving it away.

Generous to a fault, that’s me.

 

[Frunobulax]

Nope. I’m certifying it as a factory original OR with a 2” overwelt brim. Furthermore, the initials on the sweatband CRK are for Charles Rann Kennedy who died in 1867 so surely this hat is older than that. I’m offering it for the very reasonable price of $10,000. I should also mention that it’s an Open Road Whippet so you know it’s worth the $10K.

CRK? You sure about Kennedy? What was Clark Kent's middle name?