OT- Big cowboy hat trend in the late 20s &30s. Photo

[rangerider7]

This old hat was made in the late 20s. It has a 5 inch brim and 7 inch crown and they came bigger until the 40s. This was posted in answer to my latest thread about the Texas Ranger with the big hat.

[Huntermb]

Shades of Elmer Keith! Almost a Hoss Cartwright hat

[pwl44m]

I've never understood, what was the idea of such a high Crown ?

[rangerider7]

One theory was the more air between the head and the top of your hat the cooler it was, also it would hold more water for you and your horse. I think it was just the trend of the times and Hollywood B westerns.

[Sarge]

One theory was the more air between the head and the top of your hat the cooler it was, also it would hold more water for you and your horse. I think it was just the trend of the times and Hollywood B westerns.

It's been a few years since I sat a fast horse, pointed it toward open country and 'kicked' in the afterburners- but I'm inclined to think those things would catch a lot of wind and be hard to keep on your head.

I do like the looks of them, though. Very cool pic Rangerider & thanks for posting it.

[Don McDowell]

It takes a 7 inch crown to make the montana peak and nevada slope..
5 inch brim is about wide enough to keep the rain and sun off your shoulders.
I seriously doubt anybody anywhere except in Hollyweird ever poured his hat full of water to give to his horse.

[rangerider7]

Don my dad pulled over to a creek in west Texas and filled his Stetson with water so we could take a cool drink. I have seen him do it for a horse too. This was in the early 50s. It was over 100 degrees that day and we were a long ways from the nearest well. He use to poor water in an overheated radiator from his hat too. That old Dodge pick-up, I think it was a 1937, had the long gear shift and floor starter that would kick the day-lights out of you sometimes. We used it on the ranch my uncle owned. I learned to drive with that old pick-up going across that ranch.

[Don McDowell]

Just never saw nor heard of anybody here in Wy,Co, Ne, Mt, or SD do that.

[pwl44m]

I remember in the 60s You could buy a 37 Dodge pu running any day every day fo $75.No Smog either. Ahh

[markinalpine]

Col. Tim McCoy, Cowboy, Rancher, Colonel US Army Intelligence WW1 and WW2, Actor.

Edit to Add URL for photo source: http://members.shaw.ca/horseopera/opera.html

[Booger Bill]

I heard my dad tell a guy, ya need ta put a gutter and drain pipe on that!

[Lastmohecken]

I don't have a hat with that tall a crown, but my favorite one is taller then normal, and I have always liked a little taller crown, and definately do not like the low crowned hats, as I can't pull them down on my head as far, and that is what keeps one on your head in the wind or riding a horse.

Also, I have found that those Gus type crowns with the big crease right in front, seem to be somewhat arrowdianamic, and actually are eaiser to keep on my head, when facing a head wind, like when riding a horse or 4-wheeler etc. The air stream seems to have a harder time getting a grip on the hat and pulling it off of my head.

But I have never poured anything in my hat, that I recall, however those taller crowns do shed water a little better in a rain, as long as you don't make some kind of crease that traps water up there.

[AJMD429]

I was anticipating a photo of ELMER KEITH...!

[ChuteTheMall]

Those very high crown hats are much safer to wear if somebody is going to shoot your hat offa your head.

[hfcable]

you just have the neatest stuff! wonderful stuff and great photos!
thanks!

[Lawyer Daggit]

Some of the fellows in the Northern Territory of Australia wear high hats today.