I am starting my Indiana Jones collection. The collection will comprise of both costuming, gear, and props. As a young adult in the 1980s, I found the intrepid archeologist not only intriguing but with a look that was inspiring. To start off the collection I decided to start small. Although present in all of the films, it is usually obscured by the jacket or the whip. I am talking about Indiana Jones' satchel bag.
While the first three Indiana Jones films take place in the 1930s, the bag that he carries and uses to carry his treasures was actually a WWII surplus gas mak bag. More specifically it was the British MKVII bag. There were actually a few manufacturers of the bag usually in green canvas but sometimes in white or yellow. During the war, both the infantry and the police wore this mask. Most of what one sees when looking at Indiana Jones is the leather strap over his shirt but the bag in many shots the bag is under the jacket. However, in the Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls, Professor Jones wears it over the jacket.
The bag comes with a canvas strap, which is usually the same color as the bag, however, in the film, it was replaced with a leather rifle strap. You can order the bag with or without the strap. Mine cost me an extra $12. Once the package is opened, you will need to cut off the canvas strap and replace it with the leather one. There is a slight trick to getting the right look to it. After removing the Chicago screw on the end that has the loop, run that part through the left side of the metal ring, and then through the strap buckle. Give yourself some room for adjustment (about 18 inches depending on how tall you are) and then with the secure the strap loop onto the other metal ring by replacing the screws. Once you have it on, you can make further adjustments to the strap. Just make sure that the strap goes from right to left and the buckle should be right about your sternum.
As a young teen in 1977, I saw "Star Wars" (now called "Episode IV: A New Hope"), and as I have written before, it changed the way I saw my life. As a kid, my passions gravitated towards the filmmaking process. I loved the characters and could understand the archetypes that they represented. Much later in life, I decided I wanted to revisit my youth and my passion for film. I wrote reviews of movies that I saw, and as always, life happens. The Star Wars Costumes that I desired were usually quite bulky and hot. I live in the desert, and when we do have comic cons or film fests, I decided I did not want to sweat for hours and not really enjoy the convention. So I decided I want to wear something a bit more comfortable. So recently, I decided it was time to start creating or assembly costumes that are more comfortable but yet very recognizable to everyone attending. I have chosen the Han Solo "look," and I was able to get a sharp-looking vest (shirt is on its way). I looked around the internet and was looking at the cheap Halloween costumes that are usually made very cheaply and fall apart after time.
Instead, I decided to go with Todd's Costumes. I was lucky, as, at the time, the vest and shirt were available as a set. At this time, you can preorder if you so desire. The cost was $199.00 without tax and shipping.
One thing to note about the vest is that there many pockets and loops on the screen vest. Both on the back (above) and on the front below.
The vest I purchased (shirt coming in a future video and blog post has the requisite pockets based on 1977's "A New Hope."
On the front right side of the vest, the configuration of the pocket shows the upper right pocket with an angular side pocket
The vest has a nice silky inside material that a quality vest should have. And the outside is the thickness of a coat.
While the pockets are real they do have that stitch that doesn't allow for the to open unless you cut the thread.
The bag comes with a canvas strap, which is usually the same color as the bag, however, in the film, it was replaced with a leather rifle strap. You can order the bag with or without the strap. Mine cost me an extra $12. Once the package is opened, you will need to cut off the canvas strap and replace it with the leather one. There is a slight trick to getting the right look to it.
