D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A
F A L L | 2 0 1 4
2 1
Gal
custom hat and a "store-bought" hat are indubitable. Besides
the higher quality of materials and craftsmanship that make
the chapeau last for years, the sizing can be adjusted to a
fraction of an inch making your hat fit your head just right.
"No specific type of person buys these hats. The kid that
works hard on the ranch wants a good hat as much as any-
one. He has a strong work ethic and I honor that by keeping
prices affordable. But it's not just cowboys who want a
quality hat. I've had a guy covered with tattoos come in for
a "Doc Holliday" hat. My customers come from every walk
of life—from the real working cowboy to the banker in New
York City, or doctors and lawyers. They're all the same, just
good people who love the western way of life. When I was
inducted into the Hall of Fame, it was because of what we
represent—our western way of life—where a handshake is
your bond—people like to be affiliated with that."
Kirkpatrick-Massar's humility is another reason for her
induction. She was quick to add, "Sometimes we forget to
give credit where credit is due. We get too big for our own
britches and forget where we came from. I feel blessed to
be given this talent, knowing it came from God. I always
want to give Him the glory for it."
Kirkpatrick-Massar's artistic bend eventually compelled
her to expand beyond hats to making bronze sculptures
and leather accessories (chaps, visors, etc.). But hats will
always be her primary product.
"This has been a good business for me. It has treated me
right and lets me meet such an array of amazing people.
There's no doubt in my mind it is truly the right thing for
me to be doing."
As long as there are cowboys, there will be a need for
the highest quality of custom cowboy hats. Montana's
mad hatter, Sheila Kirkpatrick-Massar, continues to work
hard to ensure that need is met with style.
A 10X Bone
Buckaroo Style hat
with spotted binding
and spotted ribbon
White hat with
leather trim
The Sahara tan hat, 10x
beaver with a leather-carved
brim, and laced turqouise binding
with turqouise accents
