Buffalo bill's hat

[Joao Encarnado]

IMHO, I think that hat looks better than the "Boss of the Plains" hat. I like both the shape and height of the crown. I like the style of ribbon work for that hat too, not to mention the wide pencil curled brim.

+1

 

[barrowjh]

I think Art's HitchHiker OR ribbon treatment matches that ribbon treatment, and I know Buckaroo has done ribbons like that also. I am not certain that Art does the full kettle curl brim, but I know that Buckaroo does. So, it should be reasonably easy to commission a hat that either copies that hat or copies the aspects of it that you like, in natural beaver or sahara felt. I have been to that museum several times and it is really an excellent museum (actually, 5 museums); the western art museum is a must-see for anyone that is really in love with the american west.

 

[gtdean48]

This Work of Art is the dimensions of the the first BotP, 4" Crown, 3.5" Brim with pencil curl...

 

[RJR]

Wow,neat hat,Tom.

 

[fedoracentric]

Since the BoTP was a flat brim, open crown hat, could it not be possible that this particular one received a crease and rolled edge over the years? It was quite common for hats back in those days to get creased, either intentionally or just from wear over the years.

No. Pencil curled brims are made by special hatting tools and not made by finger wear or hand kneading. And the crown in that photo on the fist page here is at least 5-1/2 inches or so tall while a BotP hat is never over 4 inches.

 

[diabolicaldog]

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=20041&thumb=1&d=1415567827

 

[frussell]

That is a really cool hat Tom.

 

[bowlerman]

Frank, that's your grandpa? Could have been wild Bill!

Pt, I'd probably just get one custom made. There's a "museum" slightly easy of yours, near wall drug, that has a pretty neat display of some very similar hats. I will have to try and find the photos.

Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk 2

 

[Redshoes51]

I really love your photo of the Buffalo Bill hat... I need to get out to that part of the country...

~shoes~

 

[HudsonHawk]

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=20041&thumb=1&d=1415567827

BTW: Linky thinking doesn't work.

 

[HudsonHawk]

No. Pencil curled brims are made by special hatting tools and not made by finger wear or hand kneading. And the crown in that photo on the fist page here is at least 5-1/2 inches or so tall while a BotP hat is never over 4 inches.

So what about this old add?



My point being, today we associate a Boss of The Plains with a certain shape of hat, but in the 1800s, wasn't it really a model of hat made by Stetson that could end up being any number of shapes? The brim could be rolled or curved, the crown creased, dented to look like a campaign hat, etc, yet it's still a Stetson "Boss Of The Plains" model hat.

 

[Joao Encarnado]

Nice add!!! I would buy dozens today at $4.50

 

[gtdean48]

That is a really cool hat Tom.

Thanks Frank. I went to Art because he has that Nutria blend in natural for his Hitchhiker model...

 

[HudsonHawk]

Nice add!!! I would buy dozens today at $4.50

No kidding, right? Like buying land when it was $1/acre. I'll take 10,000 please...

 

[Joao Encarnado]

I would also ask for them to make one with 5" brim and 8" crown!!!

 

[gtdean48]

Knudsens has a traditional BotP model too
http://www.knudsenhats.com/bop.html

 

[viclip]

So what about this old add?

View attachment 20087

My point being, today we associate a Boss of The Plains with a certain shape of hat, but in the 1800s, wasn't it really a model of hat made by Stetson that could end up being any number of shapes? The brim could be rolled or curved, the crown creased, dented to look like a campaign hat, etc, yet it's still a Stetson "Boss Of The Plains" model hat.

It's interesting that the largest size offered was 7-1/2, suggesting that that was considered to be at the far end of the range back then. This is further corroborative of the body of evidence indicating that men's heads have increased in size making it difficult for many to locate vintage hats that fit. Personally I'm 7-5/8 thus the largest of those hats wouldn't fit me.

 

[mayserwegener]

It's interesting that the largest size offered was 7-1/2, suggesting that that was considered to be at the far end of the range back then. This is further corroborative of the body of evidence indicating that men's heads have increased in size making it difficult for many to locate vintage hats that fit. Personally I'm 7-5/8 thus the largest of those hats wouldn't fit me.

It was the same in Europe (60cm or 6 1/2 Point the largest size). It might have been possible to special order larger sizes. Many here believe there was a head size change (I could maybe see a 1/2 size). Also men tended to wear soft and stiff felt hats differently (higher on the head**).

**Berlin early 1900s.

 

[alanfgag]

So what about this old add?
My point being, today we associate a Boss of The Plains with a certain shape of hat, but in the 1800s, wasn't it really a model of hat made by Stetson that could end up being any number of shapes? The brim could be rolled or curved, the crown creased, dented to look like a campaign hat, etc, yet it's still a Stetson "Boss Of The Plains" model hat.

Hard to know what is real from the stories and legends. Here is one telling (of many)

 

[fedoracentric]

So what about this old add?

View attachment 20087

I have never seen any proof that that image is a real ad.

However, I should point out I didn't say no BotP hats could have a curled brim.