John Wayne's Akubra?

[Sam Craig]

This is a great looking hat and I think it would make a great statement with either crease ... or with crease or "no-crease" options.

Either way, it's going to be a classic looking western lid.

Sam

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

I'm working today and tomorrow, so I'll be hard pressed for good pictures. The back of the diamond has less "C" shape in the back and is more of an equal sided diamond now. I have to be put the stampede string in. I had Brian put in the big holes so I could use the leather stampede string and well, "The wind whistles through the Plains..." It's annoying in a way, and in a way it makes even a 15 knot wind seem like a big deal.

Later

 

[Sam Craig]

A stiff wind is especially troublesome when you are out in it all day.

When I was doing living history at Fort Larned I had a bonnet strap on all of my campaign hats. The only hat that didn't have a string was my formal dress hat, with all the embroidery and feathers. Fortunately, I didn't have to wear it all that often ... mainly for formal retreat ceremonies.

The rest of the time I either wore an officer-grade kepi or a civilian campaign hat.
When we were in the field ... especially when I was on horseback ... I NEVER wore a hat without bonnet strap.

Life on the Great Plains!

Sam

 

[1961MJS]

Hi Sam

Still no pictures, but I noted on Knudsen's site, that Duke's hat is made on a 7 inch open crown. I plan on adding dents to the back side of the diamonds to match the ones in the front I already have. It won't be the Duke's hat, but it will be an interesting take on a Vaquero / Boss of the Plains / Elko. It has a generally flat brim, dipped slightly in the front and back, with the Crown as described.

later

 

[Sam Craig]

Mike

A seven inch crown would seem about right.

When you watch those films, you can tell there's a deep crease going on.

The Resistol I worked with was about 6 inches. It is just a lot thicker felt than the cav hats were, but it turned out looking good.

Sam

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

I put creases in the back of the hat too, but they're pretty shallow. I put the stampede string in, but it doesn't stay that well. I may just put the leather string in. Pictures taken at Air Capital Gun Club in Whitewater KS. I wore the hat all afternoon before I took the pictures. I was nice and sweaty from cutting branches etc.

In theory, this is a 20x Resistol worth $449.00. I wouldn't have actually paid that much for a Resistol. It's not as nice as any of my other hats, but then it's not 100% beaver, or custom.

Front View

Side View

Top VIew

Front View

Side View

Later

 

[Sam Craig]

Mike

It is what it is, but I think you're on to a good looking hat there.

It might take some wear and tear to get it where you want it, but you sure have a lot of raw material.

I'll bet it would be a nice one for warm weather, nice and light.

Looks good.

Sam

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

I took off the horsehair double loop stampede strings. They won't stay down for anything. Every time I set the hat down, the loops went over the top of the hat. I guess I COULD have sewed them down, but that didn't seem authentic somehow.

I went back to the leather shoelace that Brian gave me with the eyelets. I'm going by Tandy and see about getting something to use as a "keeper" to keep the strings under my chin when necessary, The leather matches the hat color pretty well, which is good I guess.

later

 

[Sam Craig]

Mike,

I think my all time favorite slide was a simple piece of antler I drilled a hole through. It looked cool after I worked some shoe polish into it to make it look old, and the weight kept the strap in place, whether I wore it in front or behind.

I know what you mean about the horsehair straps.
Not bad for a hatband, but I have to agree they aren't very handy as strings.

We've got a guy in one of our flea markets with all sorts of this type of material for sale.
Next time you're here to shoot, hollar and we'll run by. It just a couple blocks from my favorite coffee shop, too.

See ya,

Sam

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

I had a guy make me a keeper (so I wouldn't have to buy a $50.00 pair of scissors at Tandy. I needed them today (March 18, 2012) working outside, thing blew around all day.

Later

 

[gtdean48]

Hondo Hat

Got a Campdraft from Cane Rod Maker Tim & creased according to photos from Fort Apache, Rio Grande, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, Hondo & Rio Bravo. Now it needs the wear & tear to get that experienced patina....

 

[Big Fella]

Check out Dirty Billy's Burford. With calvary cords it looks pretty darn close.

 

[gtdean48]

Check out Dirty Billy's Burford. With calvary cords it looks pretty darn close.

Thanks. Got a link?

 

[gtdean48]

....

...

The Campdraft just wasn't making the grade. The brim is just not wide enough.
I remembered an old 5X Resistol western I had that needed a good cleaning.
Trim the brim a touch & creased it accordingly...

Campdraft got a teardrop crease & now in regular rotation...

 

[RBH]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
You did good pilgrim!

 

[1961MJS]

Got a Campdraft from Cane Rod Maker Tim & creased according to photos from Fort Apache, Rio Grande, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, Hondo & Rio Bravo. Now it needs the wear & tear to get that experienced patina....

...

Hi

Where did you get the hat cord for this hat? I'm looking at getting some and having Mike sew them on a John Wayne hat. I HATE the bouncing dingleberries. How long have you had any of the hat cords? I have an older Field Officer black and gold that came apart quickly is why I'm asking.

Later

 

[gtdean48]

It may take me a while to locate the website. I was specifically looking for the gold & black. I'm sure it was a CW Reenactor supplier.
I have only had them thru this summer. I have had some that didn't seem to be made very well.

These are about the same = http://www.knudsenhats.com/accessories.html

Hi

Where did you get the hat cord for this hat? I'm looking at getting some and having Mike sew them on a John Wayne hat. I HATE the bouncing dingleberries. How long have you had any of the hat cords? I have an older Field Officer black and gold that came apart quickly is why I'm asking.

Later

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

I got the cord and Mike Moore is waiting for me to show up and get the Silver Mist bunny fur felt fitted. Can't wait, but can't get away soon either.

later

 

[1961MJS]

Hi Sam

Hope you get a look at this from up there. It ain't an Akubra, and it wasn't under $100, but I like it a lot. Buckaroo Hatters put this together for me. Wish we'd met.

RIP Sam Craig!!!

 

[jlee562]

Looks like Resistol is releasing a 10X John Wayne calvalry hat as part of their John Wayne Collection (the others are a straw, black 4x felt, and black wool crushable):

$300 bones.....I actually kinda like it!