This handmade hat is my take on the "Gus" hat. While this style was made popular in the late 1800s, it became the most iconic hat in cowboy culture in 1989 as the hat of Augustus McCrae in Lonesome Dove. It also became the symbol for the man wearing it to be a solid example of integrity and always known for doing the right thing.
This design inspiration came from personal history. My dad, Raymond, had an excellent reputation for raising and selling great horses. When the crew from Lonesome Dove was scouting for locations and horses for the show, they came to the ranch to look at horses. They asked Raymond about a beautiful palomino that was standing in the corral, and his name was Sunset. They wanted him for Gus to ride. Raymond's answer was simple, "you have to ask the boss." The boss, of course, was my mom. Her response was simple as well, "that's my horse, and he'll stay here." There were no ranch horses headed to the silver screen. Sunset was born on the ranch and was with us for over 30 years.
The perfect hat for all lifestyles, Luxury, Cowboy, Cowgirl, Rock and Roll, Street Style, and will always be a fashion statement!
200X, 500X Pure Beaver Belly Hair, Mink, and Chinchilla are pure fur.
- Crown: 5" hand-shaped
- Color: Silver Belly is the color shown but you can pick your color
- Brim: 3 3/4" hand-shaped, un-bound
- Every hat is handmade to order: no mass production, less waste, more love
- Black leather custom sweatband made in the USA
- Hatband: 7/8" velvet ribbon shown in navy made in the USA
- Hats ship in 18-20 weeks
The hat pictured is the basic. While I can make you one just like this style to fit your head, the feather embellishments will vary with each hat as I put them together one feather at a time so that each one will be unique to your hat. If you would like a different knot or color or ribbon on the hatband, please call me, and we will place this order together. This hat is a great style for men and women.
Colors: The colors available are shown in the images. Along with being a handmade product, the X quality of the hat will affect the color and can cause one hat to be slightly different than the next. Please see individual qualities for color availability.
I use the finest fur/fur blends, which are more durable and more serviceable. The better the fur, the more abuse it will take, and the easier it is to do something with it year after year. Fine fur blends produce a softer refined feel and create a higher quality hat.
ONLY colors available in Belly Hair are Black Cherry, Natural, Black, Chocolate Brown, Whiskey, Granite, Dark Moss, Steel, Charcoal, and sometimes Silver Belly.
ONLY colors available in Mink and Chinchilla are Black Cherry, Natural, Black, Chocolate Brown, Whiskey, Granite, Dark Moss Steel, and Charcoal.
Note: These hats will be made as ordered (they are not ready-made), so there is still going to be a lead time of 18-20 weeks for delivery as we will be working them in with all our custom orders.
Prices will change according to the items you add on or change from the basic price.
All my hats are made by hand with love and care in my Sturgis South Dakota location. All hats (shapes, designs, colors, embellishments) only show suggestions. The options and possibilities are endless. The only limitations are your budget and time frame.
If you have decided that you like this hat but want it with a different design or as a custom, one of a kind, I can do that! Just send me an email or give me a call with your thoughts, and I will put them into action.
If you are not able to stop by my Sturgis South Dakota location, I can still get one made for you. I need a couple of pieces of information:
Step 1
Wrap the tape measure (or string) around the largest part of your head until the two ends meet at the center of your forehead just above your eyebrows. Firmly hold the tape or string mid-forehead with your finger, not too tightly or too loose. The goal is to determine precisely where your hat will sit for the most comfortable fit.
If you're using a ruler and string, proceed to step two.
Step 2
Take the string from your head, being careful to hold onto the endpoint, so you have an accurate account of your head size. Measure the string with the ruler.
Even though the hat sizes provided are standard across the USA, various factors can affect the fit, such as the hat maker, the material of the hat, and even how much hair you have.
Handcrafted, wearable art made in the USA!
