The Other Open Roads.....

[M Hatman]

View attachment 122151 View attachment 122152 View attachment 122153 View attachment 122154 Greetings All:
Here’s an oddball i believe can be added to the list. It seems rather old as well. I’ve never heard of the maker so hopefully others might be able to enlighten as to age and maker.
A Willard Hat Company Buckskin.
Nicely made, nice liner, nice little OR Clone.
Be well. Bowen

I LOVE the ribbon being done up in campaign bow fashion!!! Great Get!!!!!
M

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

I LOVE the ribbon being done up in campaign bow fashion!!! Great Get!!!!!
M

Hey M:
Thank you. Yes that ribbon treatment caught my eye also, as well as being 3 cord, similar to one early on in the thread. Not sure but i’m guessing it’s just age not design. Then the name Willard has stuck with me since that old terror movie. Ha
Be well. Bowen

 

[Hurricane Jack]

A Willard Hat Company Buckskin.

I LOVE the ribbon being done up in campaign bow fashion!!!

Yes that ribbon treatment caught my eye also, as well as being 3 cord,

Nice one Bowen.

Any significance to the campaign bow being set back? I don't recall noticing that with campaign bows before. Is the setback unique to the 3-cord ribbon maybe?

 

[Desert dog]

Here is my Dobbs West, Open Trail, twenty five, that I recently bought. I have been trying to date it, and I think it is early sixties. Some earlier posts think the Dobbs West line was created in the seventies. I think this is unlikely. Others say it was created in the sixties, which I tend believe. When, in the sixties I don't know. Comparing this to early sixties Resistols, this is a higher quality. I mention this because Resistol and Dobbs West were owned by the same company, at some point. My Resistol Ft.Worth 5x from the early sixties, has a price of 21.95. This Open Trail sold for 25.00. I would consider the felt on the Dobbs to be of better hand than the Resistol. Finish is definitely better. The attention to the sweat and embroidered liner seem to be higher quality. I think that Dobbs West hats of the seventies were definitely identical to Resistols. Maybe things were different in the sixties. Another hat history to explore! I am really jazzed about this one because of the quality.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[Bamaboots]

Here is my Dobbs West, Open Trail, twenty five, that I recently bought. I have been trying to date it, and I think it is early sixties. Some earlier posts think the Dobbs West line was created in the seventies. I think this is unlikely. Others say it was created in the sixties, which I tend believe. When, in the sixties I don't know. Comparing this to early sixties Resistols, this is a higher quality. I mention this because Resistol and Dobbs West were owned by the same company, at some point. My Resistol Ft.Worth 5x from the early sixties, has a price of 21.95. This Open Trail sold for 25.00. I would consider the felt on the Dobbs to be of better hand than the Resistol. Finish is definitely better. The attention to the sweat and embroidered liner seem to be higher quality. I think that Dobbs West hats of the seventies were definitely identical to Resistols. Maybe things were different in the sixties. Another hat history to explore! I am really jazzed about this one because of the quality.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

I like the hell out of that hat and hate that you're one of the folks I have to wrestle with over hats this size. May be very similar to my Resistol Beaver 25's, though your West has a wider brim and that's a really nice looking sweat in your hat. The size tags, shape, color and placement are very similar on Resistols. I have a couple of OR clones that look as if they were made by Resistol.

 

[Desert dog]

Thanks Bama, do you know the vintage of your twenty five ? My early fifties Resistol San Antonio is the best felt I own. I wonder if the Resistol 25 and Dobbs West 25 were made at the same time.

I like the hell out of that hat and hate that you're one of the folks I have to wrestle with over hats this size. May be very similar to my Resistol Beaver 25's, though your West has a wider brim and that's a really nice looking sweat in your hat. The size tags, shape, color and placement are very similar on Resistols. I have a couple of OR clones that look as if they were made by Resistol.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Nice one Bowen.

Any significance to the campaign bow being set back? I don't recall noticing that with campaign bows before. Is the setback unique to the 3-cord ribbon maybe?

Just saw this HJ:
I think the bow is back a little from center crown. Not sure why or if it’s a 3 cord thing. Maybe Willard finished off the bow after one of those liquid lunches. Ha
B

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Here is my Dobbs West, Open Trail, twenty five, that I recently bought. I have been trying to date it, and I think it is early sixties. Some earlier posts think the Dobbs West line was created in the seventies. I think this is unlikely. Others say it was created in the sixties, which I tend believe. When, in the sixties I don't know. Comparing this to early sixties Resistols, this is a higher quality. I mention this because Resistol and Dobbs West were owned by the same company, at some point. My Resistol Ft.Worth 5x from the early sixties, has a price of 21.95. This Open Trail sold for 25.00. I would consider the felt on the Dobbs to be of better hand than the Resistol. Finish is definitely better. The attention to the sweat and embroidered liner seem to be higher quality. I think that Dobbs West hats of the seventies were definitely identical to Resistols. Maybe things were different in the sixties. Another hat history to explore! I am really jazzed about this one because of the quality.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

Hey DD:
I love this hat. No matter 60s or 70s you can tell by looking it’s a high quality hat.
Personally, i can’t imagine anyone embroidering a liner in the 70s but idk.
When i think 70s i think Disco.
And this hat, as the song goes... this ain’t no party, this ain’t no disco, this ain’t no foolin around.
This hat ain’t foolin around!!
B

 

[Bamaboots]

Thanks Bama, do you know the vintage of your twenty five ? My early fifties Resistol San Antonio is the best felt I own. I wonder if the Resistol 25 and Dobbs West 25 were made at the same time.


Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

DD, one of mine is likely a late 40's, early 50's Byer-Rolnick product with great felt, liner and sweat. The other is likely an early 60's hat that has a private label liner. Both are nice hats but the earlier one is my favorite.

When I get a chance I'll post some comparative pics and we'll take a look. One thing of note is both mine have a 2.5" brim.

 

[Desert dog]

Hey DD:
I love this hat. No matter 60s or 70s you can tell by looking it’s a high quality hat.
Personally, i can’t imagine anyone embroidering a liner in the 70s but idk.
When i think 70s i think Disco.
And this hat, as the song goes... this ain’t no party, this ain’t no disco, this ain’t no foolin around.
This hat ain’t foolin around!!
B

Thanks Bowen! I appreciate that. The best part is, it ain't no disco[emoji3].

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[Desert dog]

DD, one of mine is likely a late 40's, early 50's Byer-Rolnick product with great felt, liner and sweat. The other is likely an early 60's hat that has a private label liner. Both are nice hats but the earlier one is my favorite.

When I get a chance I'll post some comparative pics and we'll take a look. One thing of note is both mine have a 2.5" brim.

Thanks Bama, the one you posted today is mighty fine! My Resistol Dalworth is what I believe to be mid sixties, and has a 2 5/8 brim. Also Byer Rolnick.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[T Jones]

Here is my Dobbs West, Open Trail, twenty five, that I recently bought. I have been trying to date it, and I think it is early sixties. Some earlier posts think the Dobbs West line was created in the seventies. I think this is unlikely. Others say it was created in the sixties, which I tend believe. When, in the sixties I don't know. Comparing this to early sixties Resistols, this is a higher quality. I mention this because Resistol and Dobbs West were owned by the same company, at some point. My Resistol Ft.Worth 5x from the early sixties, has a price of 21.95. This Open Trail sold for 25.00. I would consider the felt on the Dobbs to be of better hand than the Resistol. Finish is definitely better. The attention to the sweat and embroidered liner seem to be higher quality. I think that Dobbs West hats of the seventies were definitely identical to Resistols. Maybe things were different in the sixties. Another hat history to explore! I am really jazzed about this one because of the quality.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

That's a real beauty.

 

[Frunobulax]

Here is my Dobbs West, Open Trail, twenty five, that I recently bought. I have been trying to date it, and I think it is early sixties. Some earlier posts think the Dobbs West line was created in the seventies. I think this is unlikely. Others say it was created in the sixties, which I tend believe. When, in the sixties I don't know. Comparing this to early sixties Resistols, this is a higher quality. I mention this because Resistol and Dobbs West were owned by the same company, at some point. My Resistol Ft.Worth 5x from the early sixties, has a price of 21.95. This Open Trail sold for 25.00. I would consider the felt on the Dobbs to be of better hand than the Resistol. Finish is definitely better. The attention to the sweat and embroidered liner seem to be higher quality. I think that Dobbs West hats of the seventies were definitely identical to Resistols. Maybe things were different in the sixties. Another hat history to explore! I am really jazzed about this one because of the quality.


Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

Resistol and Dobbs "merged" in 1970 or so at the time Koracorp purchased Hat Corporation of America. Koracorp had previously purchased Resistol in 1967-68 (they dropped "Byer-Rolnick at the time Koracorp purchased them). The Stetson, Resistol, Dobbs, Knox, and Cavanagh names are now all under the Hatco umbrella. Not certain about the Dobbs West line, but I have always associated them with the 1970s - after the Koracorp purchase.

 

[T Jones]

I can't remember whether or not I posted this hat already in this particular thread. I know I posted it in the Conversion Corral and in the WHAYWT thread, (I think). Anyway, if I did already, sorry for the repost. This is one of my own conversions from an unknown Western brand, probably a store brand more than likely. It was one of my first conversion attempts and I thought I messed it up so I put the hat away for awhile and didn't do anything else to it until last Summer. The finish on the felt was so nice I couldn't bear the thought of throwing it away. I thought I'd give it another try and decided to go for a raw edge OR style Cattleman clone with my own touches....these photos are from last year.

A little bit of Hank...

(The Last Picture Show. Great Movie, btw)

 

[Desert dog]

That is what I thought. I did find a picture of a Dobbs West with the same sweat on vintage haberdasher. He says it is made in the sixties. All of them that I have seen are identical to Resistols and obviously seventies. This looks a little different, which made me curious.

Resistol and Dobbs "merged" in 1970 or so at the time Koracorp purchased Hat Corporation of America. Koracorp had previously purchased Resistol in 1967-68 (they dropped "Byer-Rolnick at the time Koracorp purchased them). The Stetson, Resistol, Dobbs, Knox, and Cavanagh names are now all under the Hatco umbrella. Not certain about the Dobbs West line, but I have always associated them with the 1970s - after the Koracorp purchase.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[Desert dog]

I can't remember whether or not I posted this hat already in this particular thread. I know I posted it in the Conversion Corral and in the WHAYWT thread, (I think). Anyway, if I did already, sorry for the repost. This is one of my own conversions from an unknown Western brand, probably a store brand more than likely. It was one of my first conversion attempts and I thought I messed it up so I put the hat away for awhile and didn't do anything else to it until last Summer. The finish on the felt was so nice I couldn't bear the thought of throwing it away. I thought I'd give it another try and decided to go for a raw edge OR style Cattleman clone with my own touches....these photos are from last year.

A little bit of Hank...

(The Last Picture Show. Great Movie, btw)

I like it! The ribbon work is really nice!

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[T Jones]

I like it! The ribbon work is really nice!

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

Thank you D dog.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Here is my Dobbs West, Open Trail, twenty five, that I recently bought. I have been trying to date it, and I think it is early sixties. Some earlier posts think the Dobbs West line was created in the seventies. I think this is unlikely. Others say it was created in the sixties, which I tend believe. When, in the sixties I don't know. Comparing this to early sixties Resistols, this is a higher quality. I mention this because Resistol and Dobbs West were owned by the same company, at some point. My Resistol Ft.Worth 5x from the early sixties, has a price of 21.95. This Open Trail sold for 25.00. I would consider the felt on the Dobbs to be of better hand than the Resistol. Finish is definitely better. The attention to the sweat and embroidered liner seem to be higher quality. I think that Dobbs West hats of the seventies were definitely identical to Resistols. Maybe things were different in the sixties. Another hat history to explore! I am really jazzed about this one because of the quality.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

DD, anymore info or pics in other threads on this DWOT25? (that's a mouthful!). Also if you have previously posted pics of your Dalworth can you point me to which thread I might search?

 

[Desert dog]

Jack, I think I posted some on this thread. Here is some pictures of the Dalworth. Since it is Byer Rolnick, it is pre "68. Looks to be mid sixties to me. Haven't found a lot on the DWOT25, although I am fairly sure it is from the sixties. Late fifties/ early sixties Resistol westerns had a brown sweat. They changed to black in the early sixties. The Dobbs does have an earlier looking sweat, and I have not seen it on a Resistol. The main question I have, is there a possibility that Dobbs was making this line prior the the Resistol merger and Koracorp buy out? I have always thought the Dobbs West line was created after the buy out. The Dobbs just doesn't look post '68 to me, but I am no expert.

DD, anymore info or pics in other threads on this DWOT25? (that's a mouthful!). Also if you have previously posted pics of your Dalworth can you point me to which thread I might search?

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Jack, I think I posted some on this thread. Here is some pictures of the Dalworth. Since it is Byer Rolnick, it is pre "68. Looks to be mid sixties to me. Haven't found a lot on the DWOT25, although I am fairly sure it is from the sixties. Late fifties/ early sixties Resistol westerns had a brown sweat. They changed to black in the early sixties. The Dobbs does have an earlier looking sweat, and I have not seen it on a Resistol. The main question I have, is there a possibility that Dobbs was making this line prior the the Resistol merger and Koracorp buy out? I have always thought the Dobbs West line was created after the buy out. The Dobbs just doesn't look post '68 to me, but I am no expert.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

Thanks DD. I'm chasing down info also, & to add to what Fruno said above I found this in newspaper files:

"In 1968, Koret of California bought out Byer-Rolnick, and in 1979, Levi Strauss and Co. purchased Koret..."

So does that mean Levi Strauss got Hatco in 1979 when they purchased Koret?