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Byer & Rolnick Hats
- Thread starter Bamaboots
- Start date
DaveProc
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Thanks Bob!
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DaveProc
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@Bamaboots
Rolnick Hats Custom-Craft
I picked this up and I know it's not a Resistol, but I'm looking for a little input from the experts. This is what I know about Resistol from the Resistol website -In the early 1920's a young millionaire, E.R. Byer sold his business in Michigan and traveled South to further his fortune and investment. His investment was a brilliant young hat maker, Harry Rolnick, who was operating a small hat factory. E.R. Byer was one of Rolnick's customers and was so impressed by his professionalism, flair for fashion and devotion to quality that in 1927 the firm of Byer-Rolnick was founded in Dallas, Texas. The company produced men's felt hats in Western and Dress styling's, both were marketed under the newly created brand name "Resistol Hats," meaning to resist- all weather. And I also came across this on my searches - Resistol had its genesis with Harry Rolnick, who moved with his family to Dallas in the early 1900s after growing up in a Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn. By 1917, the Rolnicks were operating a hat renovation shop in downtown Dallas. In 1926, with a $60,000 stake from a Dallas family, Rolnick founded a company to make hats he designed. A year later, Rolnick and Ed Byer, a retired machine parts millionaire, took over the firm, renamed it the Byer-Rolnick Co. and went into business with $100,000 in capital. Rolnick began marketing the guaranteed Resistol brand in the 1930s. His patented interior leather band allowed for expansion to resist confining contact with the head and the sweaty brows it created.
I guess what I am asking for is a bit of help dating the hat, it has characteristics of being from the 40's, but could it be from 1926, the first and only year Rolnick was in business for himself, or according to one of the statements above, they did not start marketing the "Resistol" brand until the 1930s, could this be pre Resistol marketing. My other thought is could it be a custom or second brand hat that was marketed toward reatail outlets? Any input is appreciated.
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- Central California
The box is not original to the hat.
I saw that hat for sale too. My guess is that it’s fur felt. Hopefully someone who knows will chime in.
Good to know about the box. Thanks
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Some facts might help to pin it down. Larry Mahan's rodeo career was basically from 1966 - 1973. He went on to be very popular in his post-career & endorsed many products, but the Byer-Rolnick era was over about 1968 when they sold out. So safe to say the timeframe is likely 1966-1968. As far as wool vs fur, hard to say but I would say the hat was made for the lower end of the market. Likely a lower fur blend.
moehawk
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I spotted this Rolnick for cheap on ebay and grabbed it for potential trade fodder, as the seller gave the measurements of the opening as 8.5X7 inches. Well, I think the seller needs a new ruler. It's a 7 3/8, and fits nicely.
The insides
I had initially estimated it to be a 6X3 by the seller's numbers, but it's 6"X2.75". 138g of nice dense moldable felt. Not sure if it's silverbelly or more sand or tan. It has a few moth bites and a small stain on the underside of the brim that defied the naptha bath I gave it. There are a few wet spots on it in the pics from a smell remover I'm trying on it to get out some antique cigarette smell.
Not sure on the age. Guessing early fifties with that onions in liner tip protector and general dimensions. Any other opinions welcome.
The insides
I had initially estimated it to be a 6X3 by the seller's numbers, but it's 6"X2.75". 138g of nice dense moldable felt. Not sure if it's silverbelly or more sand or tan. It has a few moth bites and a small stain on the underside of the brim that defied the naptha bath I gave it. There are a few wet spots on it in the pics from a smell remover I'm trying on it to get out some antique cigarette smell.
Not sure on the age. Guessing early fifties with that onions in liner tip protector and general dimensions. Any other opinions welcome.
- Messages
- 19,001
- Location
- Central California
Great find, John. These appear to be rare hats. If it had actually been 8.5X7 I would be very tempted to make you an offer.
Looking forward to seeing it on you.
moehawk
I'll Lock Up
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- Northern California
Thanks Brent!
I would have been happy to hat horse-trade with you had it been the bigger size. That Montecristi Hat Works in 7 3/8 you had in the classifieds looked nice...
Jaciro
New in Town
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I have exactly the same hat! She is beautiful and unusual! I even hired a special person who made me such a custom hat, and I paid quite a lot for it, but I don't regret it, because it's part of my style! Yes, I want to walk the streets in such a hat, there is nothing like that here... By the way, my son was born just a few months ago, whom I love very much. Even I ordered a custom hat from this seller https://www.amazon.com/Personalized...X4/ref=pd_lpo_2?pd_rd_i=B07PHGWGZW&th=1&psc=1 from Amazon for his convenience and comfort. So, man, I can say that you have a very cool hat. I advise everyone to buy one for themselves.
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