Boss of the Plains?

[007]

Howdy, gents, I'm new here but this looks like my kind of forum. I was wondering if any of you can tell me where to find an on-line retailer who sells a Stetson Boss of the Plains? The only ones I could find through Google were in Europe. Seems like I would be paying twice for shipping if I used one of them. This is a picture of the hat the European sites are advertising. Almost looks like an Open Road with an open crown and a nice western hatband.

 

[RBH]

Welcome to the Lounge my friend.

You can check out Bill Knudsen / Knudsen Hat Co. at

http://www.goldengatewesternwear.com/Hatdept/Bossoftheplains.html

this from their website
We make cowboy hats you can't find anywhere else including the authentic Boss of the Plains (the first Stetson cowboy hat ever made), we not only block them accurately, but we make them on actual Stetson felt."

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/114/boppecanlrgrt8.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>


Hope this helps ya out...

 

[DOUGLAS]

Also Clearwater hat company I believe make it too.

 

[Who?]

Rand's Hats in Billings Montana.

Excellent to superb quality.

 

[ledsled]

Fellow lounger/vendor

If you're paying for a custom made hat, I bet John is familiar with the type of hat you are looking for. Here's a link to one page of styles available. He's got quite a few to look at:

http://www.rockymountainhatcompany.com/styles4.html

 

[feltfan]

The hat worn by many park rangers is, or at least
was, the closest relative to the Boss of the Plains.
On eBay you can often find vintage examples in
"Nutria Quality" Stetson felt, a classy felt that is
probably a lot stronger than most of the felt used
to make new hats. All you have to do is push the
"peaks" (the four-way dents) out of the crown, set it
with steam, and you are left with a Boss of the Plains.
Many even sported a similar leather hat band. I picked one up
with the idea of recreating the Boss, but haven't had
a chance to fool around with it yet.

Sounds like there are a lot of fine options!

Welcome to the Lounge and thanks- this is an interesting topic.

 

[Russ]

The Scout

River Junction has one called "The Scout" which seems pretty close.

http://www.riverjunction.com/catalog/hats/scout.html

 

[Russ]

The Boss

And here is that one by Clearwater Hats, mentioned above. It's called "The Boss".

 

[Bud-n-Texas]

I could be wrong

.... and if I am, it will be pointed out quickly. It has been my experience that, the original Stetsons were of the rounded crown, rather than the squared of version.
Like this

Rather than this style

 

[majormoore]

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i228/majormoore/09.jpg


Here is a photo of two guys wearing BOP hats.

Mike Moore

 

[Joel Tunnah]

In the period advertising I've seen for the Boss of the Plains, it always had a low-ish, rounded crown - not flat-topped like a couple examples above.

 

[majormoore]

Here is the hat I built for myself that I call the BOP hat

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i228/majormoore/DSCN1893.jpg


Mike Moore

 

[007]

Thanks very much to everyone for their helpful posts. :eusa_clap
Looks like I have enough leads to keep me out of trouble for a few days.

 

[Arctichighlandr]

Boss of the Plains Hat

Akubra sells one. Best modern day hat that isn't custom made. They're aussie so the exchange rate isn't bad and shipping isn't too much either. http://everythingaustralian.com.au/shopexd.asp?id=36&source=B36

 

[Mr. Lucky]

You can check out Bill Knudsen / Knudsen Hat Co. at

http://www.goldengatewesternwear.com/Hatdept/Bossoftheplains.html

this from their website
We make cowboy hats you can't find anywhere else including the authentic Boss of the Plains (the first Stetson cowboy hat ever made), we not only block them accurately, but we make them on actual Stetson felt."


Hope this helps ya out...

I don't know about the poster, but I really, REALLY like the Young Guns II hat they're selling. The wait is 16 weeks! But what the hell!

 

[007]

Well, I placed an order at two of the suggested sites. River Junction and Knudsen. River Junction actually has one called Boss of the Plains with a 3.5 inch brim instead of the 4 inch of the Scout that Russ posted. Since the Knudsen is a 4 inch brim, I just had to have one of each. Am I right, fellas?

But to get back to the original question, this hat

is actually made by Stetson. It comes up on at least five European sites as a Stetson product. I even emailed Stetson about it, but they just said to check my local retailer. Of course, my local retailer would rather sell me a hat from stock than order me one.

 

[Russ]

River Junction Boss of the Plains

I was originally looking for that hat on their site but couldn't find it although it was right in front of my face. Must be getting old and blind. Here's the image from their site:

 

[J.B.]

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i228/majormoore/09.jpg


Here is a photo of two guys wearing BOP hats.

Mike Moore

fftopic:
Oooof! Sure do hope the pistola that the feller on the left is a-sportin' don't ax-identally discharge?!

 

[007]

Bump for Hatco. Is this hat available in North America? Those European mark-ups are insane.

 

[J.B.]

The Stetson looks nice but I am not familiar with their current line, but I'm sure HATCO is.

Well, I placed an order at two of the suggested sites. River Junction and Knudsen. River Junction actually has one called Boss of the Plains with a 3.5 inch brim..... I just had to have one of each. Am I right, fellas?.....

007 -- I've been looking at the River Junction web-page of hats for almost a year now -- trying to make up my mind?!

If you don't mind sharing, how do you like your RJ BOP? Maybe a mini-review/pics, etc. please?!