Indy's Suitcase

Bags, Boots, Shirts and all other gear should be discussed here.

Moderators: Mike, Cajunkraut, Tennessee Smith

Post Reply
User avatar
backstagejack
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 3465
Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2006 3:01 am
Location: Lost in the Jungle

Indy's Suitcase

Post by backstagejack »

So, I know it's not that similar to the one Indy had in Raiders.... but I figure it's a close enough and more than likely he had one similar.
This is a Hinson "Trekker" . I can hardly find any info on it, but I bought it at Goodwill for 5 bucks. I found an ebay listing for it at 100.
It's in excellent condition. As far as I can tell it's 1940s-50s???

Image
Image
Image

Here's all I could find out about the company..... I think they made a lot of stuff for the war as well.
"The Hinson mfg co. was founded in the 20's by a Tennessean named Clyde Shelton Hinson. It's around 1925,that Clyde moved to Waterloo Iowa where he started his manufacturing business that ,at some point, employed over 300 people .Hinson Manufacturing products ranged from your basic hunting gears,to rubber crafts and even seat belts for the automobile industry.The company seems to disappear from the charts in the late 60's ...."
User avatar
Bradsburns
Laboratory Technician
Laboratory Technician
Posts: 158
Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2014 6:02 am

Re: Indy's Suitcase

Post by Bradsburns »

well...I think it's fair to say I have never wanted a suitcase more in my entire life than I do right now. That thing looks amazing! great inner pockets as well. Sure beats the rubbish you can buy these days. Thanks for sharing.
User avatar
backstagejack
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 3465
Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2006 3:01 am
Location: Lost in the Jungle

Re: Indy's Suitcase

Post by backstagejack »

Bradsburns wrote:well...I think it's fair to say I have never wanted a suitcase more in my entire life than I do right now. That thing looks amazing! great inner pockets as well. Sure beats the rubbish you can buy these days. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks! For 5 bucks, I think it was a heck of a find. It doesn't smell that bad either, so I have it aiiring out at the moment and will febreeze it soon, etc. I think it'll be a great travel case, as long as I don't take it on an airport.... an airport would tear this baby up...

(FYI there is one for sale apparently in Germany on ebay apparently, but it's literally the only thing I could find on this suitcase) That flap folds down as well for another compartment. The entire thing is geared towards folded dress shirts, etc, etc.
A simpler, classier, time.

:TOH:
User avatar
Indiana Jeff
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10212
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:59 am
Location: TX Panhandle

Re: Indy's Suitcase

Post by Indiana Jeff »

Great find! I keep circling various leather suitcases in the Raider's style.

I agree, I wouldn't put the bag through the rigors of airline travel, but would be cool for car trips.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff
User avatar
Ridgerunner58
Dig Leader
Dig Leader
Posts: 695
Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2009 4:40 pm
Location: Between the Edge of Nowhere and the Edge of Somewhere.

Re: Indy's Suitcase

Post by Ridgerunner58 »

Indiana Jeff wrote:Great find! I keep circling various leather suitcases in the Raider's style.

I agree, I wouldn't put the bag through the rigors of airline travel, but would be cool for car trips.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff
Exactly. Never, never, never let the yard apes that handle airport luggage near anything you care about. I learned that the hard way in the early 80s when the pigskin suitcase I used to travel with that my mother bought in the 40s got "remodeled" by some thoughtful baggage handler scoring a bunch of "x"s into the sides with a box cutter. :x
User avatar
backstagejack
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 3465
Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2006 3:01 am
Location: Lost in the Jungle

Re: Indy's Suitcase

Post by backstagejack »

Ridgerunner58 wrote:
Indiana Jeff wrote:Great find! I keep circling various leather suitcases in the Raider's style.

I agree, I wouldn't put the bag through the rigors of airline travel, but would be cool for car trips.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff
Exactly. Never, never, never let the yard apes that handle airport luggage near anything you care about. I learned that the hard way in the early 80s when the pigskin suitcase I used to travel with that my mother bought in the 40s got "remodeled" by some thoughtful baggage handler scoring a bunch of "x"s into the sides with a box cutter. :x
Yeah, I made that mistake once with an old leather suitcase from the 60s and it did not go well. It was a brand new looking case that I took to vegas and after one trip the case was done for, I haven't traveled with it since.

This new one is quite a find, I still am finding it hard to find out anything about the company. The best I can do is narrow this baby down from 1940- maybe early 60s.....
User avatar
Michaelson
Knower of Things
Posts: 44486
Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 12:55 pm
Location: Out here knowing stuff and things and wishing I were with the family at Universal Studios Orlando

Re: Indy's Suitcase

Post by Michaelson »

Looks like they were incorporated in 1923.
Here's a photo of the factory in the 1940's

http://digital.infodepot.org/cdm/ref/co ... c/id/13084" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Regard! Michaelson
User avatar
Indiana Jeff
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10212
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:59 am
Location: TX Panhandle

Re: Indy's Suitcase

Post by Indiana Jeff »

This seems as good as anywhere to post these.

Handmade by Camden Leatherworks in the UK. Found them on Etsy. No, not SA, but I like the color and addition of the leather belts.

Image

Image

Image

Image

US Wings Legend jacket in roo hide
Crease-N-Corral 7' whip
Western Stage Prop resin S&W


Regards,

Indiana Jeff
User avatar
Dalexs
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 9009
Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2002 2:49 am
Location: Jus' nath' of Bawstin
Contact:

Re: Indy's Suitcase

Post by Dalexs »

Very nice, but... Does it at least fit in the overhead compartments?
User avatar
Jeremiah
Expeditionary Hero
Expeditionary Hero
Posts: 1888
Joined: Sat Aug 02, 2014 9:08 pm
Location: The well of souls.
Contact:

Re: Indy's Suitcase

Post by Jeremiah »

That's awesome. Looks to be made of oil tanned leather. That will hold up well to the elements.
User avatar
Indiana Jeff
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10212
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:59 am
Location: TX Panhandle

Re: Indy's Suitcase

Post by Indiana Jeff »

Way too big for overheads and I won't check it so this bag will be reserved for car trips.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff
User avatar
themancalledhondo
Dig Worker
Dig Worker
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue May 09, 2017 12:15 am
Location: Davis Mountains

Re: Indy's Suitcase

Post by themancalledhondo »

Both excellent bags. It is a real shame that people can not be trusted to not go out of their way to be horrible.
User avatar
Dangerfreak
Archaeologist
Archaeologist
Posts: 298
Joined: Tue Sep 22, 2015 6:59 am
Location: Isle of Wight, Southern England

Re: Indy's Suitcase

Post by Dangerfreak »

A couple of good, classic old suit cases here, very nice. Wise words about airline luggage handlers. I was traveling in New Zealand some years ago. I'd got myself a Maori Tayaha, which is a hand carved wooden staff weapon. Beautifully carved. It was in two cardboard tubes with 'Fragile' tape all over it. I was watching some teenager loading our luggage from the waiting area. He takes one look at my package and launched it into the plane. Luckily the Tayaha was fine, but the point had punched through plastic end cap. A heart stopping moment though.
User avatar
WetDigger
Laboratory Technician
Laboratory Technician
Posts: 137
Joined: Sat Jul 21, 2018 5:08 pm
Location: Follow the red line across the map.

Re: Indy's Suitcase

Post by WetDigger »

Excellent bags! I wish we could get away with flying with something that classy. I have to use pelican cases for most of the places I go, but at least then I have the amusement of watching the baggage handlers try to "do their worst" to no avail. :roll:
User avatar
Michaelson
Knower of Things
Posts: 44486
Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 12:55 pm
Location: Out here knowing stuff and things and wishing I were with the family at Universal Studios Orlando

Re: Indy's Suitcase

Post by Michaelson »

I used to do that with my Haliburton cases when I traveled and worked in Florida back in the 80's. :lol:

Regards! Michaelson
User avatar
WetDigger
Laboratory Technician
Laboratory Technician
Posts: 137
Joined: Sat Jul 21, 2018 5:08 pm
Location: Follow the red line across the map.

Re: Indy's Suitcase

Post by WetDigger »

I recently purchased one of these, which evoke the Gladstone style bags Indy uses in TOD and KOTCS. It's been my new favorite luggage for trips of a week or less.

https://www.thebritishbeltcompany.co.uk ... tegory/12/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
User avatar
Indiana Jeff
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10212
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:59 am
Location: TX Panhandle

Re: Indy's Suitcase

Post by Indiana Jeff »

That's a sharp looking bag.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff
User avatar
backstagejack
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 3465
Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2006 3:01 am
Location: Lost in the Jungle

Re: Indy's Suitcase

Post by backstagejack »

really liking the looks of that one. To be honest the price is great for what you get.
User avatar
Nosirrah
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 916
Joined: Thu Dec 07, 2017 8:55 pm
Location: On, in or under the Great Lakes.
Contact:

Re: Indy's Suitcase

Post by Nosirrah »

Indiana Jeff wrote:That's a sharp looking bag.
Indeed. Makes me wish I'd grabbed Grampa's gladstone instead of letting it go into the estate sale. Come to think of it, though-- he was a country veterinarian, and it did smell pretty funky. :-0
Guess that's why I don't shop for "vintage" luggage on eBay... :-s
User avatar
WetDigger
Laboratory Technician
Laboratory Technician
Posts: 137
Joined: Sat Jul 21, 2018 5:08 pm
Location: Follow the red line across the map.

Re: Indy's Suitcase

Post by WetDigger »

If you are vigilant and watch the seller's website to check in periodically, they do mark them down on sale every now and then. I was able to snag it for 50% off on a two day sale they had a few weeks ago.

:TOH:
User avatar
IJJTM
Museum Curator
Museum Curator
Posts: 1517
Joined: Fri Aug 16, 2019 2:14 am
Location: Southern California

Re: Indy's Suitcase

Post by IJJTM »

Does anyone know of a good suitcase manufacturer for one? I'd be fine with a close enough one; I don't think this is a piece of gear I would be a stickler on the details with.
User avatar
Indiana Jeff
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10212
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:59 am
Location: TX Panhandle

Re: Indy's Suitcase

Post by Indiana Jeff »

Depends on what your are looking for, a suitcase or a gladstone. Both have no shortage of manufacturers, though they get pricey very quickly. Searches of Etsy and eBay will yield many results for both new bags and vintage.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff
User avatar
bearbeast
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 2555
Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2017 11:31 am
Location: Lost in the search for gear...

Re: Indy's Suitcase

Post by bearbeast »

Indiana Jeff wrote: Fri Jan 20, 2017 5:47 am This seems as good as anywhere to post these.

Handmade by Camden Leatherworks in the UK. Found them on Etsy. No, not SA, but I like the color and addition of the leather belts.

Image

US Wings Legend jacket in roo hide
Crease-N-Corral 7' whip
Western Stage Prop resin S&W


Regards,

Indiana Jeff
Loving that last pic! I used to drool over C-N-C whips a few years ago... Then, when I had some money put away I saw Dusty had put off taking new orders... ](*,)
User avatar
Indiana Jeff
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10212
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:59 am
Location: TX Panhandle

Re: Indy's Suitcase

Post by Indiana Jeff »

Thanks! I've been very happy with the C-N-C whip.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff
User avatar
bearbeast
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 2555
Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2017 11:31 am
Location: Lost in the search for gear...

Re: Indy's Suitcase

Post by bearbeast »

That's so very cool! :clap: Means he found a new, unique way to make a great whip. A true artisan and inovator.

Cheers,
Bear
User avatar
Charybdis
Museum Curator
Museum Curator
Posts: 1657
Joined: Thu Sep 20, 2012 3:36 pm
Location: Palmetto State (SC)

Re: Indy's Suitcase

Post by Charybdis »

While not a suitcase, I just bought this bag and it is very nice. It's a messenger bag to carry my laptop or other stuff/papers I need on trips.

When I slung it around my shoulder, my wife said, "That looks like an Indy bag!"

I guess that's what I was going for!!

https://www.levinsonleathergoods.com/co ... 2234762390
User avatar
bearbeast
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 2555
Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2017 11:31 am
Location: Lost in the search for gear...

Re: Indy's Suitcase

Post by bearbeast »

Charybdis wrote: Tue Sep 20, 2022 1:23 pm While not a suitcase, I just bought this bag and it is very nice. It's a messenger bag to carry my laptop or other stuff/papers I need on trips.

When I slung it around my shoulder, my wife said, "That looks like an Indy bag!"

I guess that's what I was going for!!

https://www.levinsonleathergoods.com/co ... 2234762390
That is gorgeous and a great bargain! :TOH:
Post Reply