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Western, anyone?

Wyldkarma

One Too Many
Messages
1,805
Location
Austin, TX
Anyone familiar with American Hat Co and what Clear Beaver 3X means? Age wise 70's maybe???

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Lefty W.

One of the Regulars
Messages
205
Location
Austin, TX
That looks like a late '60s to mid '70s label. I don't know what Clear Beaver XXX means in terms of beaver content, but I would guess it has at least some beaver in it.

There was a Gary's American Hat store on Louisiana Street in downtown Houston. I bought a fuzzy wool cowboy hat there in the mid-'70s, to match one I saw on a ZZ Top album cover. They said they made the original out of a beaver and mink felt mix.

Gary's American Hat store moved to Richmond Avenue in Houston sometime in the '80s. It continues today as The Hat Store. https://thehatstore.com/

The American Hat Company is still around, having passed through several hands. https://americanhat.net/ I would imagine they get their hats from Hatco in Garland.

The Hat Store and American Hat Company claim a similar history, going back to 1915 in Houston, TX.
 
Messages
18,161
Anyone familiar with American Hat Co and what Clear Beaver 3X means? Age wise 70's maybe???

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I have an American Hat Co. 3X Clear Beaver with original box. I've always thought mine is early 1960's, thinking the 3X was the same as the 3X beaver content of the day, & that the Clear Beaver might just mean natural & undyed. Mine was a Rancher 3-1/4" RE x 6-3/4" Open Crown, just a bit taller than I liked as a Rancher, so I reworked it. I got no dye stains or runs in doing so. The last pic is accurate for its natural color.

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RossRYoung

Practically Family
Messages
940
Back at work today, but still thinking about this weekend. My parents joined me for a tour of Melody Motion Picture Ranch in Santa Clarita. Stetson 7x kept me shaded, and my best cowboy duds kept me in the moment! (Disclaimer: Private expensive tours, only way to get on the ranch. No pictures once you’re in the set area, which was disappointing but understandable.)

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This last ones from a different day, but still fits nicely.
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RossRYoung

Practically Family
Messages
940
Ross, what do you remember about the hat & boots in the case?

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All of those items were in a building labeled as the ‘museum’. It was mostly odds and ends of movie memorabilia, some of which weren’t even filmed on the ranch. As far as I’m aware, that glass case was filled with all Gene Autry memorabilia, since he owned the ranch for several years.
I didn’t get a good look at the boots, but the hat I tried to look under to see the sweat. They had it covered with whatever they stuffed into the crown so I couldn’t see anything identifiable on it. Felt up close looked just okay though, wouldn’t be surprised if it were a wool blend. Overall the Autry Museum is much better presented and arranged, this Melody Ranch is mainly to see the movie sets (tv and films list shot there is massive).
 
Messages
18,161
All of those items were in a building labeled as the ‘museum’. It was mostly odds and ends of movie memorabilia, some of which weren’t even filmed on the ranch. As far as I’m aware, that glass case was filled with all Gene Autry memorabilia, since he owned the ranch for several years.
I didn’t get a good look at the boots, but the hat I tried to look under to see the sweat. They had it covered with whatever they stuffed into the crown so I couldn’t see anything identifiable on it. Felt up close looked just okay though, wouldn’t be surprised if it were a wool blend. Overall the Autry Museum is much better presented and arranged, this Melody Ranch is mainly to see the movie sets (tv and films list shot there is massive).
Didn't know anything about the ranch but I saw the pic of Autry next to the hat, so figured everything might be his memorabilia.
 
Bob, how was the felt on this hat? I have one coming, albeit with a different liner and sweat, and I really don’t know what to expect.

Congrats on the get Brent. The felt is nice, but nothing to get too excited about. I just thought it was a cool old hat (one you don't see very often) and I like knowing that there is a red liner on the old wall-hanger.
 
Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
Congrats on the get Brent. The felt is nice, but nothing to get too excited about. I just thought it was a cool old hat (one you don't see very often) and I like knowing that there is a red liner on the old wall-hanger.

Thanks, Bob. Yours looks older to me: wider sweat and the liner in particular. I do like the odd hats. I think you have the only other Rocky Mountain Hat Co. that I’ve seen posted here...your 50X is definitely nicer than mine.
 

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