Stetson ID help, please!

[Zyzek117]

Hello members,

I was hoping someone here could answer some questions about this potentially old Stetson Hat I received as a gift.

From the research I’ve done, it could be made anywhere from 1950-1970, and the felt could be beaver or rabbit. I’m not sure what model it is based on the information I’ve seen on this forum.

Please help me answer these questions:

What model Stetson is this?
What felt is it made out of?
What year was it made?
What is its estimated value? (Edit: I just found this question doesn’t get answered as it can open a can of worms, but if you have an opinion, feel free to chime in. I won’t be selling it, just curious if it’s a “beater” hat or one that should be worn seldomly.)

Also, I shaped the “top” of the hat to look like a gun club hat I own (just with my hands) but I was wondering if it made sense to take it to a hat shop to have it more permanently shaped with starch or steam, or whatever professionals use. Is this recommended for a hat of this variety, or is it best to leave it alone? I don’t want to do anything to hurt the hat’s potential value or allure.

Thank you in advance for your help!

 

[Bamaboots]

What model Stetson is this?
What felt is it made out of?
What year was it made?
What is its estimated value?

I'm sure Stetson had a model name but as they often did, it was left out of the hat or on the sweatband. Many around here would refer to it as a skinny ribbon western. The model may be found in the old Miller Stockman catalog scans.
It's a Nutria Quality felt which means there is a lot of Nutria fur in it and an unknown mix of likely rabbit, hare and beaver. Nobody knows. Nutria Quality was an entry level hat just above the No. 1 Quality in price.
Made sometime between the mid 50's - 60's.
Whatever the market will bear. Check eBay for comps.

 

[Zyzek117]

Awesome! Thank you kindly.

 

[Frontporchcharlie]

Those old Nutria hats are pretty dang cool. The hat is in really good shape too. That’s a good one for wearing around, Nutria is very durable.