What year did Stetson switch from brown to black sweatbands?

[MattJH]

And have the experienced folks here found that the early black sweatband Stetsons really are inferior to the brown sweatband Stetsons? I understand that the current Stetsons aren't quite what they used to be, but is the brown-to-black changeover the true line between desirable vintage Stetson and not-quite-so-desirable vintage Stetson? Or are there good black-sweat Stetsons?

Did I just ask the same question 8 different ways? Sorry!

 

[Rick Blaine]

I have also heard:

[huh] diamond patterned liner = bad... anyone care to shed any light on this related question? [huh]

 

[Jay]

I have a late 50s or early 60s stingy brim Stetson with a black sweat that has the nicest, pliable felt I've seen. Holds it shape great, feels great, and you can put a bash in with two fingers.

 

[Dinerman]

It's not the black ones you've got to watch out for, it's the newer brown sweat ones.

 

[HDRnR]

I have a black band Open Road that has a glued in liner, I'd say its late 60's. Felt is ok but not even close to my earlier Stetsons.