Rocky Mountain Ranger History

The Rocky Mountain Rangers of 1885

The Rocky Mountain Ranger

A traditional cowboy hat design from The Last Best West

Rocky Mountain Ranger Hat

With this design we attempted to fashion a crown shape reminiscent of a ridge in the Alberta Rocky Mountains. We feel this back crease beautifully compliments the 3 pinch creasing we’ve worked into the front of the crown.

The original Rocky Mountain Rangers

In 1885 the Riel Rebellion inflamed the Canadian West – and in response militia units were formed throughout the Northwest Territories (in 1885 it included Alberta and Saskatchewan) of Canada. In 1885 one unit was organized and commanded by a former Cavalry Captain, John Stewart.

Stewart called the group the Rocky Mountain Rangers, and the unit was made up of 3 troops of 40 men each. Many Rangers were former Mounties, but most Troopers were American cowboys working ranches in the Medicine Hat area.

The Rocky Mountain Rangers of 1885 lasted only 3 months, and never saw any action. Called the “Tough Men” by the towns folk of Medicine Hat, the troop spent their time on long patrols. And amused themselves by getting drunk and annoying the regular army troops, in the Halifax Provisional Battalion that were stationed nearby.

When the Riel Rebellion ended the volunteer unit was disbanded, however the name: Rocky Mountain Rangers was resurrected in 1900 and to this day remains the name of a prestigious Canadian Infantry Regiment.

The original Rocky Mountain Rangers became The South Alberta Horse, and now the South Alberta Light Horse, and are the direct descendants of the 1885 Rocky Mountain Trooper. And today they continue to carry the Battle honor on their Battle Flag, Northwest Canada 1885.

our thanks to Jim Ogston; Historian for the South Alberta Light Horse, for adding to our understanding.

200_rmr_92True Old West Hats

Order your hat in 100X undyed, pure beaver fur-felt, and be one of the first to hearken back to an era in hat making a hundred and forty years ago. The first cowboy hats were made from 100% beaver fur-felt, natural and undyed, and unless the cowboy lost it or had it stolen the hat lasted a long as he wanted it to. For an all weather hat – nothing beats a traditional western hat made from 100X Pure Beaver fur-felt – it’s what old west cowboys wore.


  • Thing Movie Hat

    $410.00$830.00
    Our take on Kurt Russell's hat from the Thing. The Thing Movie Hat - This 4 dent military style has the largest dimensions we can make. A 6 inch crown with a 5" brim. If you'd like the brim flatter on the sides, just put that request in the Production Notes box below.
    • Crown: 6 inches
    • Brim: 5"
    • Crown: 4 Dent Military
    • Color Shown: Chocolate
    • Brim: Hand Shaped -open
    • Hatband: Wrapped 3/4" distressed leather strapping/windstring
    • Personalized with your name inside the crown
  • Jeb Stuart Hat

    $370.00$810.00
    Jeb Stuart Hat - Based on the General's Original Hat Additional color and option information is located on tabs at the bottom of the page.
    • Crown: 4 1/2"
    • Brim: 3 1/2" inches
    • Crown: Modified Cavalry
    • Color: Sand with optional medium trail dust
    • Brim: hand shaped/right tacked to crown - bound
    • Hatband: 1 1/2" grosgrain ribbon, with 1898 Bow
    • Personalized with your name inside the crown
  • Fort Apache Cavalry Hat

    $355.00$770.00
    Fort Apache Cavalry Hat - Shown with optional Heavy Trail Dust We took our Rossiter crown, and put a pushed up cavalry brim on it. Added heavy trail dust, a "bullet hole" through the pinch in the crown, and a slight nick in the right side of the brim from a knife fight. A real "tricked out" character hat! You will find hats similar to this in any of the 3 classic westerns from John Ford, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, Fort Apache, or Rio Grande.
    • Crown: 4 1/2 inches Modified  Cavalry
    • Brim 4" hand shaped with pushed up front - Open
    • Color Shown: Sand with optional Heavy Trail Dust
    • Hatband: 1" grosgrain ribbon with optional Horsehair  Hatband #1 and windstring.
    • Personalized with your name inside the crown

  •   Masterson Single Action Holster 

    Classic Cross Draw Holster - Simple, elegant and functional

    Masterson Belt if you order the Rig is 1 1/2" - to accommodate belt loops on today's britches. We made sure it fits Levi's jeans, and when worn with a sport coat or longer coat, is the perfect holster for people with the conceal & carry permit. Holster works equally well as either a cross draw or strong hand draw style. If you'd like the cut out star concho on the holster, please request it in the production notes below. 250_white_filials
  • Johnny Ringo leather holster hand made by the last best west A classic Hollywood holster and gun belt- from Tombstone. {1993} This closed toe design is made for quick draws with it's trigger guard fully exposed from the holster. We're showing our Johnny Ringo in our classic old mahogany color .  Movie rig is black.
  • Curly Bill Movie Holster - a hand made leather holster from Tombstone. {1993} COLOR SHOWN: Deadwood Brown This close toed holster is a little fancier variation of our traditional 19th century Teddy Blue Holster. The Curly Bill Movie Holster has a fancier border and the look is toughened up with 10 spots per holster. The 2 rig set that Boothe wears as Curly Bill Brocius, in Tombstone, was patterned after the rig that the historical Curly Bill wore. 2 Cartridge belts, one worn backwards and two strong hand draw holsters.   To order the complete Curly Bill Movie Rig, with 2 holsters and 2 fully looped cartridge belts, add all 3 options below where it asks, Add a Matching Belt and/or Holster? This will save you 35 dollars for the complete 2 rig set. Total will be 905.00 plus shipping. Choose your Buckle Set, Leather Color and Belt Style

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