Pre 1940s Stetson Westerns

[MikeinRome]

I found a derby from the same era for sale on eBay with a similar looking treatment on the backside of the sweatband but it still has the lot number visible. Maybe it's just worn off over time on mine. Being that it's on a slicker surface the ink may not penetrate as well. View attachment 597174 View attachment 597175 View attachment 597176

I think the Lot Number of that Derby dates to about the mid 1910's, so that might be about the era of your hat. That's the best guess I have.

 

[Thundercolt]

I bought this hat recently at auction. I paid more for it than any previous vintage hat and I was really worried I over paid.

The sweatband is a replacement and there is some wear on the binding, but it’s a glorious hat. The brim is approximately 4 1/2” wide before the curl. The nine cord ribbon is a bonus. I love everything about this hat other than the size.

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I love everything about this hat other than the size.

Don't worry Brent, you'll grow into it!
:>)

 

[MikeinRome]

I bought this hat recently at auction. I paid more for it than any previous vintage hat and I was really worried I over paid.

The sweatband is a replacement and there is some wear on the binding, but it’s a glorious hat. The brim is approximately 4 1/2” wide before the curl. The nine cord ribbon is a bonus. I love everything about this hat other than the size.

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I absolutely love, love, love that hat!!!

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Don't worry Brent, you'll grow into it!
:>)

It’s the hat that needs to grow.
In the next life I’m coming back with a vintage sized head!

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I absolutely love, love, love that hat!!!

Me too, Mike. Wish it had been my size.

 

[MikeinRome]

Stetson of unknown quality level from very late 1930's. 2 3/4 inch bound brim and 5 1/2 inch open crown. Lot Number 7691.

 

[MikeinRome]

Stetson, I'm estimating ca. 1940. "The Ray Bell" hat just purchased from Jesse John. Don't see a Lot Number on the sweatband. 4 inch brim, 6 1/4 inch open crown according to mfg tag. These dimensions match Stetson's Armintall model hat.

Here's a picture of a "Ray Bell shape" hat from the Hamley's catalog #36 from 1936, so Stetson was making Ray Bell hats at least by that date. This particular hat here has a 7 1/4 inch open crown and 4 inch brim.

 

[CRH]

Ray Bell! Ray Bell! Pip pip beep Pip pip beeep

-Ray Bell chases off the coyotes -

Good girl, Ray Bell!

 

[Jesse John]

Tom Mix Junior Stetson. Although it’s size 6 7/8 I had to jump on it for the price and condition. Marked as “beaver belly” whether that’s the color or fur quality is what I’m trying to figure out as it could be buckskin. But the felt is on par with a BRE clear nutria I own. That being said, it’s very very nice fur felt. I’m looking for the catalog pages as I know it’s here, somewhere. Interesting size tag and blue ink on the block tags.

 

[Mighty44]

Tom Mix Junior Stetson. Although it’s size 6 7/8 I had to jump on it for the price and condition. Marked as “beaver belly” whether that’s the color or fur quality is what I’m trying to figure out as it could be buckskin. But the felt is on par with a BRE clear nutria I own. That being said, it’s very very nice fur felt. I’m looking for the catalog pages as I know it’s here, somewhere. Interesting size tag and blue ink on the block tags.
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Beautiful…

 

[RossRYoung]

Great one Jesse, very interesting tag indeed. I like that they still used the T Mix style ribbon even on these shrunken proportions too.

 

[Jesse John]

Beautiful…

Great one Jesse, very interesting tag indeed. I like that they still used the T Mix style ribbon even on these shrunken proportions too.

Thank you gentlemen. I don't typically purchase hats that don't fit but I find it exciting to own a hat with TM's signature on the sweat & time period to match. I agree though Ross. Nice to see the TM brand & image staying consistent even for the junior models

 

[Jesse John]

Extra light weight Select Quality. No block tags on this beaut. Had to replace the sweatband as it was severely torn and frail. This is a hat I recently acquired and revived. 6.5” x 4.5”

 

[Blare]

Extra light weight Select Quality. No block tags on this beaut. Had to replace the sweatband as it was severely torn and frail. This is a hat I recently acquired and revived. 6.5” x 4.5”
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Tremendous

 

[Just Daniel]

Sweet!

I recently took a worn out sweatband to a leather worker and he glued it to another, very thin piece of leather to sew back into the hat. Maybe that’s an option?

Extra light weight Select Quality. No block tags on this beaut. Had to replace the sweatband as it was severely torn and frail. This is a hat I recently acquired and revived. 6.5” x 4.5”
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[Jesse John]

Sweet!

I recently took a worn out sweatband to a leather worker and he glued it to another, very thin piece of leather to sew back into the hat. Maybe that’s an option?

That’s an idea. Introducing adhesive to leather is always a concern to me. Curious to know how that might impact the longevity of the band. Depends upon the purpose/ end goal I suppose. Thank you for sharing that suggestion- I never thought of that.

 

[MikeinRome]

Tom Mix Junior Stetson. Although it’s size 6 7/8 I had to jump on it for the price and condition. Marked as “beaver belly” whether that’s the color or fur quality is what I’m trying to figure out as it could be buckskin. But the felt is on par with a BRE clear nutria I own. That being said, it’s very very nice fur felt. I’m looking for the catalog pages as I know it’s here, somewhere. Interesting size tag and blue ink on the block tags.
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The Lot Number on that Tom Mix Jr...the first number is too faint to read, but logic says it should be either a 6 or 7 to be in the 1930's era, so I'm calling it Lot Number X134, but the overall look of the sweatband suggests to me that the Lot Number would be #7134. There's a Stetson with Lot Number 7146 which has the date of 30 Nov 1936 in it, so I think this Tom Mix hat dates to about 1936.

 

[MikeinRome]

Stetson 1X Nutria. Has 3 inch brim and 4 1/2 inch open crown. This hat was once owned by buler and has already been posted on the Lounge. The Lot Number 4413 tells me it was made around the 1919-20 period. The Block Number on the mfg tag is 424.

 

[MikeinRome]

Here's another Ray Bell picture postcard I ran across, of Ray riding the bronco "Sam Jackson" at the Pendleton. Oregon Roundup.

And here's still another photo of Ray Bell riding Glory at Pendleton in 1921.

 

[MikeinRome]

Stetson authentic Tom Mix model Clear Nutria. Lot Number 5792. Has 5 inch bound brim and 7 1/2 inch open crown. The Lot Number makes me estimate this hat 1920's to 1930. The liner is sewn in as an original liner would be. If there's a reorder tag, it's buried behind the liner and heavy stitching over it. As mentioned on Post New Hats thread, the hat box for this hat was sold to someone else by mistake in another auction lot. This hat is about as close to new-looking as you could hope to find. Can't imagine there's many better examples around. I made a mistake posting this hat here and should have posted it on the Stetson Nutria thread.