The Open Road Guild

[Hurricane Jack]

Shudde Bros Stetson 7XCB OR

 

[BobHufford]

Shudde Bros Stetson 7XCB OR

Beautiful Jack!

 

[Desert dog]

It just don't get better! Must feel good to have that one!

Shudde Bros Stetson 7XCB OR

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[Roadopen]

It just don't get better! Must feel good to have that one!

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Would it be a better FEEL than that of a vintage 4X ?

Ro

 

[Richard Morgan]

Shudde Bros Stetson 7XCB OR

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That's a mighty fine looking hat Jack. I like that little bit of roll to the brim.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

That's a mighty fine looking hat Jack. I like that little bit of roll to the brim.

Thanks Richard.

 

[Rmccamey]

Help with dating??? I have a Royal Deluxe OR that those of you in the know have told me is most likely a late '50's model. I'm now looking at a 3X OR that looks to be of similar vintage. Can someone verify for me or postulate a date? Are the Royal Deluxe and the 3X different grade levels or are they essentially the same? Did they make the RD and 3X at the same time or does one (the RD) pre-date the other? Thanks for the help.

50's Royal Deluxe



3X OR

 

[jlee562]

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/stetson-open-road-quality-designation-project.54092/page-4

They're different grade levels, and "on paper" the 3x is the "nicer" hat. The 3x hats seem to be routinely nice.

 

[Bamaboots]

Help with dating??? I have a Royal Deluxe OR that those of you in the know have told me is most likely a late '50's model. I'm now looking at a 3X OR that looks to be of similar vintage. Can someone verify for me or postulate a date? Are the Royal Deluxe and the 3X different grade levels or are they essentially the same? Did they make the RD and 3X at the same time or does one (the RD) pre-date the other? Thanks for the help.

50's Royal Deluxe

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3X OR

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The catalog page Jared posted lays it out pretty well. Your 3X appears to be mid 50's or so to me. I have a late 40's 3X and a 50's RD OR. They're both great hats but it's difficult for me to find a lot of noticeable differences in them.

 

[Rmccamey]

Yes, that catalog page explains a lot. Thanks to you both.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/stetson-open-road-quality-designation-project.54092/page-4

They're different grade levels, and "on paper" the 3x is the "nicer" hat. The 3x hats seem to be routinely nice.

The catalog page Jared posted lays it out pretty well. Your 3X appears to be mid 50's or so to me. I have a late 40's 3X and a 50's RD OR. They're both great hats but it's difficult for me to find a lot of noticeable differences in them.

 

[Just Daniel]

I agree with the dates above. When dating Stetsons, some things stick out: the Maple Leaf on the crest (changeover in the ‘50s) rather than stars and plastic in the liner (‘53).

Later hats went with colorful crests in the liner, square black size tags, and black leather sweatbands. Those start to indicate a ‘60s hat.

To make this more fun, there is quite a bit of overlap in some of these making tweener hats more interesting; more expensive models such as the Stetson 100 and 7X also seemed to use parts from a large initial supply inventory that leads to quite a bit of crossover, especially the sweatbands.

If there are more specific dates or indicators I’d be thrilled to learn more from the wiser folks on the board.

Daniel

Help with dating??? I have a Royal Deluxe OR that those of you in the know have told me is most likely a late '50's model. I'm now looking at a 3X OR that looks to be of similar vintage. Can someone verify for me or postulate a date? Are the Royal Deluxe and the 3X different grade levels or are they essentially the same? Did they make the RD and 3X at the same time or does one (the RD) pre-date the other? Thanks for the help.

50's Royal Deluxe

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3X OR

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[Rmccamey]

Anyone have experience or feedback on the modern Stetson Hemp OR?

 

[M Hatman]

Anyone have experience or feedback on the modern Stetson Hemp OR?

While I do not have the OR in hemp, I DO have 2 or 3 modern Stetson Hemp Stratoliners and a hemp Whippet. I am VERY PLEASED with these hats and the modern Hemp. Hope that helps.....
M

 

[Rmccamey]

Thanks M. Is the straw "soft" and pliable [in relative terms] or as rock hard as the typical western straw hat?

While I do not have the OR in hemp, I DO have 2 or 3 modern Stetson Hemp Stratoliners and a hemp Whippet. I am VERY PLEASED with these hats and the modern Hemp. Hope that helps.....
M

 

[Rmccamey]

Looking at a private sale and the owner says he has a vintage OR with a 2 7/8 brim instead of a 2 3/4. Does this help date the hat at all and/or make it more collectible?

 

[Frunobulax]

Looking at a private sale and the owner says he has a vintage OR with a 2 7/8 brim instead of a 2 3/4. Does this help date the hat at all and/or make it more collectible?

Not certain about dating, but ORs have come with various brim widths over the years. The 25 OR I'm wearing today is 3 1/4". We've also seen all the way down to 2 1/4" (I think Dr. Max has one). The other possibility is the seller isn't measuring it quite right.

There are better methods of dating than dimensions.

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[M Hatman]

Thanks M. Is the straw "soft" and pliable [in relative terms] or as rock hard as the typical western straw hat?

Rather in between......the crowns are stiffer than the brims. The brims are pliable much like a standard snap brim fedora, the crowns more stiff. They are however VERY receptable to a little steam and easily shape-able.......playing with them makes them more pliable.
m
PS Straw hats, any straw hat, will not be "soft". They need stiffener just to keep their body and shape....unless you get a very, very expensive fine Monticristo (which I understand feel like linen, but still not "soft" per-se) that is just the nature of straw, unless you want a limp rag.

 

[Rmccamey]

Thanks, Frun, that is what I was thinking. Not much difference between 6/8 and 7/8.

It is a 3X OR with a Last Drop liner. Here is the size tag.

Not certain about dating, but ORs have come with various brim widths over the years. The 25 OR I'm wearing today is 3 1/4". We've also seen all the way down to 2 1/4" (I think Dr. Max has one). The other possibility is the seller isn't measuring it quite right.

There are better methods of dating than dimensions.

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[Rmccamey]

Excellent feedback, M, I appreciate the info. I always like vintage but it is nice to have options for a modern version.

Rather in between......the crowns are stiffer than the brims. The brims are pliable much like a standard snap brim fedora, the crowns more stiff. They are however VERY receptable to a little steam and easily shape-able.......playing with them makes them more pliable.
m
PS Straw hats, any straw hat, will not be "soft". They need stiffener just to keep their body and shape....unless you get a very, very expensive fine Monticristo (which I understand feel like linen, but still not "soft" per-se) that is just the nature of straw, unless you want a limp rag.

 

[Tukwila]

I think the paja toquilla straw can go either way, expensive or not. Some hatters add stiffener, but steam or warm water then shaped on a block to dry will get your shape to hold. Getting that hat wet again can easily cause it to lose shape and require reblocking.

I had a very soft, thin, cheap Cuenca 2nd lose shape on a cool, super humid day at the beach near Salinas one day. I had to get it wet and reshape it on a plastic form to get the shape back.