z Sold ~ 1910 Hamley Nutria Hat in Plush finish mink brown.

Rare Nutria hat 6 1/2 crown height with 4 inch kettle curl brim. Sold by the famous Hamley Saddlery, Pendleton, Oregon. In excellent condition, with the Hamley & Co. Pendleton Oregon cartouche in the sweatband,and their stamp on the lining crown. The hat maker name is hidden under the sweat band and behind the genuine raw silk lining. It is marked select quality Eagle Hats New York the hat number is 45012. The size tag says 7 1/4, but I think it would fit a 7 1/8 better. This hat is from the Fort Benton Montana area and dates to about 1910. It is made of  nutria a charming name for a somewhat less than attractive rodent, originally from South America. The nutria fur made a very soft and durable hat and became a popular felting fur as beaver became scarce and expensive in the early 1900s. This is a soft plush high knap hat with a very flexible brim, but yet holds its shape perfectly. The ribbon is in perfect shape the frayed edge of the bow was intended to be that way and is original. The Hamley hat is the most distinguishable piece of a cowboy attire. wonderful knap and the sweatband is high quality lambskin. This hat is ready to wear or cherish it as a valuable collectible of the Old West.