The Resistol Roundup

[gtdean48]

Mickey, I somehow missed this post and only saw it today when I posted a new hat here.

I’ve never had one of the Stetson Beaver 100 hats, but I have had a few of the Stetson One-Hundred hats. I think the One-Hundred is great, but I don’t think it’s better than the 7X Clear Beaver (7XCB). My sample sizes are too small to draw any meaningful conclusions. Of course, the 7XCB predates the One-Hundred. As for being the best Stetson, I think that depends on what kind of hat you like. I personally think the mid-1950s and earlier 7XCB to be the pinnacle of Stetson’s western line, and the pricing of the day supports that, but then I’ve never handled a Clear Nutria hat or many of the other grades made in the past. I do know that many, and maybe most, of the current western/cowboy hat customers want their felt to be harder than the vintage stuff. I’d bet a lot of men in the market for the “best” cowboy hat would turn up their noses at felt that I’d drool over.

I too like Resistols, and it’s an added bonus that they can often be had at lower prices than their Stetson counterparts. The Resistol Beaver “140” I posted up thread needs to go out for refurbishment. It’s too nice of a hat to be stuck in a corner getting dusty.

Just to pile on a bit... I have had both Stetson Beaver 100 & Stetson One-Hundred. They are very close & think the One-Hundred pre-dates the Beaver 100. From what I've learned the One-Hundred was a 7XCB that was taken by a Master Hatter at Stetson factory & done completely by hand. The regular 7XCB were done thru the production line. The hat bodies are undyed, hence "clear", beaver fur felt. The difference is the pouncing & other finishing touches done by the Master Hatter. Your research may vary... I kept a One-Hundred along with the case, & 2 7XCBs.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Byer-Rolnik era Resistol 3X Hand Felted Edge.

 

[M Hatman]

Circa 1960 or so? A sales premium for retailers....from Byer-Rolnick emphasizing their factories and showrooms.

 

[BobHufford]

Late 1950s (?) Resistol Double X Quality western. I'm guessing on the date based on the flat-topped "O" in the liner logo and the lack of "Resistol" on the sweatband. Does anyone know when the larger format factory sticker was in use?

Some broken stitches in the sweat band.

 

[wsmontana]

Can someone help me with a date for this one? No size tag but there is a red size stamp inside the sweatband.

Thanks!

Bill

 

[BobHufford]

Can someone help me with a date for this one?

It's not any newer that 1967 (when Byer-Rolnick sold out). Not sure how late Melorol was used on the sweat band. Nice hat!

 

[Yamahana]

Late 1950s (?) Resistol Double X Quality western. I'm guessing on the date based on the flat-topped "O" in the liner logo and the lack of "Resistol" on the sweatband. Does anyone know when the larger format factory sticker was in use?

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Some broken stitches in the sweat band.

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Love those red liner Resistols! Have a few myself, makes an already good hat even better.

 

[BobHufford]

Love those red liner Resistols! Have a few myself, makes an already good hat even better.

Absolutely!

 

[wsmontana]

It's not any newer that 1967 (when Byer-Rolnick sold out). Not sure how late Melorol was used on the sweat band. Nice hat!

Thanks Bob!

 

[wsmontana]

Can someone help me with a date for this one? No size tag but there is a red size stamp inside the sweatband.

Thanks!

Bill

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Has there been any advancement in knowledge in the Lounge on what “Melorol“ means? I’ve searched the Lounge and found references to brim treatment, sweatband quality, ice cream, mellow roll, felt weight, and felt protection level. I believe counter examples were provided for most of these speculations.

Perhaps this is one of those hat mysteries better left unsolved?

Bill

 

[BobHufford]

Has there been any advancement in knowledge in the Lounge on what “Melorol“ means?

Let's add this to the confusion. This was a government document in regards to OPA price ceilings from 1945.

Is Melorol a quality level? Or some sort of felt treatment like Stetson's Vita-Felt?

But this ad makes it seem like it might be the name for a Cavanagh Edge (felted edge).

 

[wsmontana]

Let's add this to the confusion. This was a government document in regards to OPA price ceilings from 1945.

Is Melorol a quality level? Or some sort of felt treatment like Stetson's Vita-Felt?

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But this ad makes it seem like it might be the name for a Cavanagh Edge (felted edge).

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Thanks Bob!

It doesn’t seem out of the realm off possibility that what started as a “new” edge treatment in 1940 got repurposed as a quality level by 1945. There could have been some cachet value in the name due to ”Melorol” ice cream that existed during this time and the marketing department at Resistol wanted to leverage that to sell more hats. What do ya think? ;-)

#Melorol

 

[BobHufford]

What do ya think? ;-)

Sure ... makes as much sense as anything.

 

[wsmontana]

I have another Resistol that has “PAT. OFF. No 526196” on the sweatband just above the “Melorol”. After some research I believe this number is just the trademark for “Self-Conforming”.



This hat came with the original box. It has an interesting hand written receipt inside the box. The total came to $81.97 which seems an awful lot for 1961 but several items where purchased and it isn’t clear which item was for the hat.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Has there been any advancement in knowledge in the Lounge on what “Melorol“ means?

Is Melorol a quality level? Or some sort of felt treatment like Stetson's Vita-Felt?

But this ad makes it seem like it might be the name for a Cavanagh Edge (felted edge).

I think it was Resistol’s first version of a conforming sweat & it had to do with the reed. It worked mostly on pulling in the gaps on the sides on a hat that was too round.

Melorol was probably a petroleum based product that causes brain cancer. You should send your hats to me for proper disposal.

 

[wsmontana]

I think it was Resistol’s first version of a conforming sweat & it had to do with the reed. It worked mostly on pulling in the gaps on the sides on a hat that was too round.

The “edge” in Bob’s 1940 ad could refer to the sweat edge and not the brim edge. I do notice on both of my hats that the sweat edge is very tight to the felt and one could say offers a “mellow roll” along that transition. Your theory seems to be a solid contender.

 

[BobHufford]

I am going to have to find a stagecoach, I would like at least one in my resistol collection. There is model, I believe it is the Pony Bob, in gray that I like. I would also like to find a red liner Missoula or Pendleton as they were wide brims with bound edge, at least the ones I have seen were.

I don't recall seeing a Missouia before. There is one in a size 7 "out there".

 

[M Hatman]

Mid-Late 50's, felted (Cavanaugh) edge, wonderful thin felt. Has the original "Kitten" pin! 5 3/4" crown!!

 

[deadlyhandsome]

A Cavanagh edge takes any hat up a level. Love Resistol fedoras.

 

[Steve1857]

Mid-Late 50's, felted (Cavanaugh) edge, wonderful thin felt. Has the original "Kitten" pin! 5 3/4" crown!!
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Great all round Resistol find, Mark. The pin is definitely the icing on the cake!