The Stetson One-Hundred "100"

[alanfgag]

You're probably wondering if the S100 above was snagged. Well, I can tell you it was. I am the new proud owner of the hat and boy, is it a beauty. This is my first S100 with the case (I own a beaver 100 and a later 7x) and I believe I'll have it for a very long time. I ended up cleaning the box out as well as conditioned the leather. The hat itself got a good brushing but could definitely use a professional's touch. Other than a few dirt spots, this thing is practically brand new. The original owner was an optometrist who lived in South Chicago (and his name was not Leroy Brown). The hat was purchased after the second World War, at that time this gentleman worked for Catholic Charities and rescued orphan children form South Africa and Europe. Im supposing this was a gift he gave to himself. I know I would. Anyway, it has a keyhole size tag (7 1/8) and no "Stetson 100" on the front of the sweatband. It does however, have the vertical "Stetson One Hundred" on the side of the sweatband. I am in awe. Now I understand why this was/is the cream of the crop. Still has the keys and plastic hat holder. I just want to stare at this thing all day. Merry Christmas/ Happy Holidays friends.
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Nice 100 package with all its parts. Keyhole tags with this numeration could be from the 1950s.

 

[Jesse John]

How many 100s do I have? Apparently one less than I need, given that I always seem to bid on them when they pop up!

Well I hope your bidding wars result in a victory for you soon. I think I’m set, so you can count on me to standby and watch! Anyway, here’s some photos of the stampings as well as an “eh” photo of the block tag. Don’t want to bend this leather back too far.

 

[jonbuilder]

How does the 60s one hundred stack against the 50s 7X clear beaver

 

[bobby higgs]

Very nice hat- probably from the late '50s or early '60s, going by the paper label, which I've only seen in '60s hats and later. Because they were so expensive, and such limited production, though, it seems that the older style sweatbands stuck around years after regular production switched to black sweats.



JimmytheLid's 100, an earlier model 100.

Mine was from the '60s, as it has the square size tag and later style liner.

Fedoralover's

PabloelFlamenco's

 

[Bamaboots]

?

 

[RossRYoung]

I lucked out on this one. The seller was non responsive after I won the auction for almost 3 weeks, has a history of burning people (Capital Area Treasures LLC), and never got back to me regarding the hat size. Still decided to take a stab at it since these 100 westerns seem pretty darn rare.

I’m guessing late 50’s based on the remnants of the keyhole size tag. 6” crown, #52 block, 3 1/2 BE western. Could use cleaning and maybe a reblock, but overall good condition with a deep center dent crease shadow. Nice dense felt crown that molds easily and a brim that is surprisingly forgiving.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

I lucked out on this one. The seller was non responsive after I won the auction for almost 3 weeks, has a history of burning people (Capital Area Treasures LLC), and never got back to me regarding the hat size. Still decided to take a stab at it since these 100 westerns seem pretty darn rare.

I’m guessing late 50’s based on the remnants of the keyhole size tag. 6” crown, #52 block, 3 1/2 BE western. Could use cleaning and maybe a reblock, but overall good condition with a deep center dent crease shadow. Nice dense felt crown that molds easily and a brim that is surprisingly forgiving.

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Glad it worked out Ross. Especially on a 3-1/2 BE x 6. Rare for sure!

 

[RossRYoung]

Glad it worked out Ross.

Thanks Jack, same here! Was very nervous about it showing up at all, let alone fitting haha. Win win I guess.

 

[Desert dog]

I lucked out on this one. The seller was non responsive after I won the auction for almost 3 weeks, has a history of burning people (Capital Area Treasures LLC), and never got back to me regarding the hat size. Still decided to take a stab at it since these 100 westerns seem pretty darn rare.

I’m guessing late 50’s based on the remnants of the keyhole size tag. 6” crown, #52 block, 3 1/2 BE western. Could use cleaning and maybe a reblock, but overall good condition with a deep center dent crease shadow. Nice dense felt crown that molds easily and a brim that is surprisingly forgiving.

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Congratulations! It's a great hat, and one you don't see often.

 

[RossRYoung]

Congratulations! It's a great hat, and one you don't see often.

Thanks, Ed! I’ll be bumping the Western Anyone thread with it soon, and I’ll look forward to more of your fantastic lids there too.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Thanks Jack, same here! Was very nervous about it showing up at all, let alone fitting haha. Win win I guess.

I know you won't, but please don't ever cut it down!

 

[Just Daniel]

A little late, but I rate the early 50s 7X higher than the later 100s. I think the difference is quite noticeable.

Alan has voiced a similar opinion a couple of times.

If you can get an earlier 100 (without plastic in the liner) you might find a fun quality debate. I think those are nicer. Also I find the Dobbs 100 superior.

How does the 60s one hundred stack against the 50s 7X clear beaver

 

[Just Daniel]

Super nice. That’s a big boy.

I lucked out on this one. The seller was non responsive after I won the auction for almost 3 weeks, has a history of burning people (Capital Area Treasures LLC), and never got back to me regarding the hat size. Still decided to take a stab at it since these 100 westerns seem pretty darn rare.

I’m guessing late 50’s based on the remnants of the keyhole size tag. 6” crown, #52 block, 3 1/2 BE western. Could use cleaning and maybe a reblock, but overall good condition with a deep center dent crease shadow. Nice dense felt crown that molds easily and a brim that is surprisingly forgiving.

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[deadlyhandsome]

A little late, but I rate the early 50s 7X higher than the later 100s. I think the difference is quite noticeable.

Alan has voiced a similar opinion a couple of times.

If you can get an earlier 100 (without plastic in the liner) you might find a fun quality debate. I think those are nicer. Also I find the Dobbs 100 superior.

I know there was an overlap of the 7XCB and the One-Hundred and I don’t know how the contemporary models compared. We’re they the same except for the suitcase? Was the 7XCB of that era thicker western weight felt while the One-Hundred was thinner dress-western felt? I don’t know.

Most of us agree that, within reason, the older the felt the better the felt. As the $50.00 7XCB was the One-Hundred before inflation, we should expect the older 7XCB to be better than the more recent One-Hundreds. I just wish I had enough personal experience with them to make a real comparison. Dobbs, Knox, Churchill, Mac Lachlan, etc 100s…I can only dream…and keep looking.

 

[RossRYoung]

An interesting discussion that we’ve seen in the other past on these threads (here and 7xCB thread). I don’t think I’ve handled enough of them to form a worthy opinion, but I will say this 100 crown seems to have the same density and ‘clay’ like memory of my NRA tagged 5xCB.
Both seem to mold easier and more dramatically over the 7x’s (meaning every little push on the crown will keep the dent/placement).
The felt tone is color is a pretty close match too (aside from the current soiling of the 100). My mid 50’s 7xCB has very thin, I’d say dress weight felt, so I would assume the 100 and 7x were offered across many styles and both weights.
I offered to send Alan the 5x after I had gotten it cleaned up, just to hear his thoughts and feedback against his CB Stetsons, and would be tempted to now include this 100 if the opportunity comes up.
Lastly, with the 5x and 100 both having BE, although the 100 is a half inch longer has more curl, the 100 is much more forgiving and easily manipulated than the 5x. I added this observation because I’ve read several comments from OR styled 100 owners saying their brims are very stiff and possibly had more shellac.

I know you won't, but please don't ever cut it down!

Honestly wouldn’t even think of it Jack, you know I ‘like big brims and I cannot lie’

Super nice. That’s a big boy.

Thanks Daniel, it’s a substantial hat.

 

[Bamaboots]

Hats in a pile can be an interesting discussion and a fun look. 7X CB or 100 has long been discussed around here. Me? I’ve never had one of either I would kick to the curb, regardless of the era.

L-R, all 7XCB’s. Canadian, late 40’s with the finest felt I’ve yet to handle. Thin, dense and all the other adjectives used on these hats but this one is just a bit more along with an overall malleability none of the other possess. Mode Edge brim can literally be rolled up; 60’s square tag. Dense felt but probably a bit heavier than the others. Cheese cutter brim that might be changed if left in the water trough overnight. Came OC and the crown has never been steamed to shape; mid or later 50’s OR. Great felt with a crown that can be manipulated but would take some work to open it up. I never would. The brim is flexible but it’s not a snap brim; mid 50’s 3 x 6 with a crown shaped w/o steam. Came OC with a brim that has some flex but not a lot. All great hats and a model I always check out.

My two 100’s. On the left is the Cavanagh. The thinnest, densest, softest and most flexible of them all. If not for the leather sweat, this hat could be rolled up. I’ve crumpled up the crown in my fist and opened it back up w/o steam or a wrinkle. Shallow flange on the brim that will accept most any shape; late model Stetson. Good felt, great finish and appointments but for the suitcase, not much to distinguish it from the others. Fairly stiff overall with a shape not meant to be changed. I still like it.

 

[Desert dog]

Hats in a pile can be an interesting discussion and a fun look. 7X CB or 100 has long been discussed around here. Me? I’ve never had one of either I would kick to the curb, regardless of the era.
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L-R, all 7XCB’s. Canadian, late 40’s with the finest felt I’ve yet to handle. Thin, dense and all the other adjectives used on these hats but this one is just a bit more along with an overall malleability none of the other possess. Mode Edge brim can literally be rolled up; 60’s square tag. Dense felt but probably a bit heavier than the others. Cheese cutter brim that might be changed if left in the water trough overnight. Came OC and the crown has never been steamed to shape; mid or later 50’s OR. Great felt with a crown that can be manipulated but would take some work to open it up. I never would. The brim is flexible but it’s not a snap brim; mid 50’s 3 x 6 with a crown shaped w/o steam. Came OC with a brim that has some flex but not a lot. All great hats and a model I always check out.
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My two 100’s. On the left is the Cavanagh. The thinnest, densest, softest and most flexible of them all. If not for the leather sweat, this hat could be rolled up. I’ve crumpled up the crown in my fist and opened it back up w/o steam or a wrinkle. Shallow flange on the brim that will accept most any shape; late model Stetson. Good felt, great finish and appointments but for the suitcase, not much to distinguish it from the others. Fairly stiff overall with a shape not meant to be changed. I still like it.

That group is very impressive! They're even the right size!

 

[Hurricane Jack]

I’ve never had one of either I would kick to the curb, regardless of the era

Exactly!

 

[Bamaboots]

That group is very impressive! They're even the right size!

Thank you, Ed. I think of you every time I wear one of them.

Exactly!

Still looking for that soft top 100.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Still looking for that soft top 100.

I wore my favorite One-hundred tonight.