The Infamous Gem Bowler

The Infamous Gem Bowler

The Infamous Gem Bowler is Dusty’s interpretation of the classic bowler, a hat originally developed in 19th-century England and later adopted across remarkably different walks of life. In the American West, the style found its way onto cowboys, railroad workers, lawmen, and outlaws. Its Black Hills connection comes through its name. The Infamous Gem references Al Swearengen and the Gem Theatre, which opened in Deadwood in 1876 and became one of the town’s best-known establishments. The Gem was destroyed by fire multiple times, and after the final fire, Swearengen left Deadwood. Dusty’s design pairs that history with the bowler’s unmistakable rounded silhouette. The version shown is crafted in black with a hand-shaped 5-inch crown, 2 1/2-inch unbound brim, black velvet hatband, and an individually assembled feather accent. Handmade in Dusty’s Sturgis, South Dakota studio, The Infamous Gem Bowler can be commissioned in different materials, colors, and finishing details while retaining the character of the original design.