Scout Headwear/Stetson Hat

Anyone (maybe Errol) know where to get a good quality, Canadian/BP correct Stetson?

I found the Mountie Store (associated with the RCMP Veteran's Association?; http://mountiestore.com/products/item12.htm) that sells them - for $200.
It looks like the UK Scout Shop (http://www.scoutshops.com/acatalog/other-gifts.html) has them for 38 pounds.

Any experience with either or other sources?

You can keep an eye out for them on eBay.

Be careful, though. Sometimes a good quality, authentic Boy Scouts Canada stetson can spark a bidding war.

I have seen both Stetsons: the RCMP one and the UK Scout Shop one at Gilwell. Believe me that the qualities are reflected in the prices. The RCMP one is a true Stetson in authentic RCMP manufacture. The Scout one is the quality that we used to have at the Official Scout Shop; cheap material. BUT having said that, it is a question of personal choice. I always have had an RCMP Stetson since 1955 and still enjoy wearing it (still has my Plume on it too . It was given to me by an RCMP Constable with whom I use to show films in orphanages in Montreal. I know that Scully's in Montreal also sells them. JUST MAKE SURE that the one you buy is the correct shape. A B.-P, Stetson with punches N,E,S,W, and NOT Smoky the Bear Stetsons with the punches on the corners as are being sold by the WOSM Scout Shop Site.

@edit: corners.

You may be able to buy one through the BP Scouts, though they may not sell to non-members and I have no idea of the direction of the creases on their stetsons.

Yes they will:

The BPSA QM Stores is available to all Traditional Scout Associations.

http://www.bpsa-bc.org/qm.htm

At least their stuff is AUTHENTIC.

Yes they will:

The BPSA QM Stores is available to all Traditional Scout Associations.

http://www.bpsa-bc.org/qm.htm

Are you sure about the BPSA Errol? I thought 'Traditional Scout Associations' meant only organizations such as BP Scouts or pre-1967-ish program groups? Us 'modern' associations didn't count?

At least their studd is AUTHENTIC.

I'll take your word for it, haven't seen it.



Also, I checked William Scully: they said no, and I'm asking again because they do have the hat on their website.

TREVOR wrote:

Are you sure about the BPSA Errol? I thought 'Traditional Scout Associations' meant only organizations such as BP Scouts or pre-1967-ish program groups? Us 'modern' associations didn't count?

I understood from Ron Long, their QM that it was so. I will check with him again and get back to you.

Henri Henri in Montreal has these "RCMP" ones. Its under their HH house label.

http://www.henrihenri.ca/en/chapeaux/western.htm

Hey Errol, you have the "dents" backward. The correct BSC Stetson is the same as the RCMP with the dents at the front, back, left and right. If the dents are at the corners it is a BSA or US Military Campaign Hat. Check one of the Jagger pictures of B-P for verification! The Stetson for Canada was the Boss of the Plains model. "B-P". Get it?

That's what I said Skip, punches on the N,E, S and W. Sorry about the possible misunderstanding, I changed the second word to corners like Smokey the Bear... see also my previous post of MAR 2.

Unfortunately even the "Stetsons" offered by WOSM in their store are NOT Scout Stetsons so as B.-P. introduced for OUR uniform and his constabulary.

This Stetson from the UK Scout Store looks correct (though by the rule of you get what you pay for, it's cheap): http://www.scoutshops.com/acatalog/other-gifts.html

trevpage
Re: Scout Headwear/Stetson Hat

Errol Feldman wrote:
Unfortunately even the "Stetsons" offered by WOSM in their store are NOT Scout Stetsons so as B.-P. introduced for OUR uniform and his constabulary.

This Stetson from the UK Scout Store looks correct (though by the rule of you get what you pay for, it's cheap): http://www.scoutshops.com/acatalog/other-gifts.html

I have seen them at Gilwell Park, the quality is not bad for $60.00...of course not RCMP quality, but good value for the money. Don't forget that shipping to Canada might cost you another $20 plus taxes and duty...

I do not mean to offend anyone although this item of clothing is quite old. As well youth these days do not wear it or highly unlikely nor popular. With the reasoning that this is a Youth based movement and is focused around the youth. We should be making our by-laws, policies, and procedures with the assumption that they are ultimately going to impact the youth and their program. Of course you must keep in mind the leaders who are doing the paperwork and such, but the point is: there is no need for a hat thats quite old if it does not appeal to the youth.

I do believe this as well can be applied to the uniforms which specifically were made short enough to not fit into the pants. The reasoning behind them should not be thrown out the window because it is not ordinary or the usual. We should be embracing the change. Our job is not to make the past our present, but make our present based on our future. As well, if youth find the new shirt design more appealing. In any way at all, we may be seeing higher sales on shirts, more youth joining because they are not turned off by our clothing and a new memorable mark left in Scoutings history.

So to all those who are demanding change to what was; think not to the past but to our future. As well... if this does not change your mind; then keep in mind it is not about you as an adult, it is about the youth. We are trying to create a better world.

I didn't think our discussion was about changing the uniform, though it could be construed as such.

Also, I'm a Rover - 23 years old. I like it.

Many Rovers still wear the old Red berets and shoulderboards because it appeals to them (there was even a petition), and yet that's not part of the official uniform

Agree with Trev, Brandon. Some of us were just "wondering if" I don't think this discussion was about CHANGING the uniform, but rather wondering "if" about certain things that are actually being done by some Scouters today, and the "why not" as there is NO official head dress anyway.
The ONLY REAL change that I would like to see is that the shirts be manufactured so that they can be worn OUTSIDE the pants. That is being done here in Europe more and more, and really looks very sharp .