Aint this what Nolan is explaining as a basic earlier BOP ?

[Marshal Deadwood]

This  'scout' hat seems to be the more rounded top 4 by 4 BOP that Nolan is talking about,,the earlier BOP that is ?

http://www.riverjunction.com/catalog/hats/scout.html

Yes ?

Marshal Deadwood

[Mick Archer]

  Howdy Pards!

  Can't speak for Nolan...
  But "yes."
  The earlier version has a more rounded "sugar loaf" style crown as compared to the later parallel sided flat crown that reminds me more of the classic "Spanish" hat.

    IMHO, the Clearwater version can be "punched" out and rounded more with a little work...  for a less "out-of-the-box" and "earlier" look   

    Mick Archer

[James Hunt]

Take a look at the hat in my picture at left, that is the Clearwater hat of which Mick speaks. The 4 1/2 inch crown has rounded sides at the top and is lined with some sort of coarse cotton type material (I'd guess), 4 inch brim with 2 1/2 inch hand sewn leather head band on the inside. I have documented it to the CW and later period, but when purchased Ms. Clearwater (I forget her name) said it could be documented to the early 1840's (seemed very knowledgeable but I have long since forgot what source she used - seemed like she referred to the blocks they used to stretch the felt). The hat has seen considerable abuse - rain, snow, and at least once I sat on it for a good 10 minutes before I realized it - and still appears closer to new than old.

[French Jack]

Look at the model named "Buffalo Hunter" on pg. 4 of the old west hats on Clearwater's site.  This was a very common hat worn for many years in the country, both east and west.  It shows up in hundreds of period photographic media.