I'm supposing some might have came off in the years or never had it from the start. I don't remember seeing ones without though, can you show us some pics of yours?
MkVII bags have this little loop unless it was removed for some reason. The MkVI got a metal ring, as shown in the pic below.
A string was attached to that loop. The string was supposed to go arround the wearer´s back and than wrapped round the metal disc on the bag when the gas mask was in use.
Last edited by Last Crusader on Wed Feb 04, 2009 8:12 am, edited 2 times in total.
The MKVII bags were contracted out to numerous manufacturers, so there are variations to be found between MKVII bags. You can find original bags that vary in color, size, rings, and vent holes. Swindiana is our resident bag expert and he helped compile the information found on the main site: http://www.indygear.com/igbag.html
binkmeisterRick wrote:The MKVII bags were contracted out to numerous manufacturers, so there are variations to be found between MKVII bags. You can find original bags that vary in color, size, rings, and vent holes. Swindiana is our resident bag expert and he helped compile the information found on the main site: http://www.indygear.com/igbag.html
I identifyed mine to be a R.D.&Co. it has the same buttons, and the same tiny little loop near the pouch (that is not the same of the movie's bag, which is wider and placed higher).
I'm 99% sure. I can't provide photos, but I checked the details and compared with the pics of the page bink linked. The only thing is: my bag is marked as having been made in 1942, while the site states "Production years known: 1941".
The site is not 100% accurate on the information regarding the bags. A lot of info (and pictures) are missing but it's not their fault at all. There are literally hundreds of brands with hundreds of variations each so that a totally complete list is almost impossible.
It would be fun to see the list grow. For example, I have a H & Sons bag and I could provide pics of it. I know VP has a H & Sons too and I'm sure he could take you some pictures too. I have also another bag. It's markings are M.B.Ltd.I. 1942. I don't know anything else about that but if someone does please tell me.
I have also a MkVI bag. It's markings are, VI MAPLE 1939. (So I presume it's canadian)
I have plenty of MKVII brands and could take pictures of them all individually but whoever takes care of the website never seemed to be too interested in expanding the list. I've asked in the past.
What's a bigger shame is some folks forget that that all the staff are volunteers and that we end up spending the vast majority of our time just making sure the forum runs as smoothly as possible or cleaning up messes on the boards. It would be nice if we had more time to do other things, wouldn't it? Erri, this is the first I've ever heard anything from you regarding such an offer and there is not a single record I can find of such a request in the back room where we discuss such requests when brought to us. We are always interested in updating the site, but less interested in poor attitudes when folks assume.
Bink I didn't want to offend anyone my friend. I just remember sending an email to somebody of the staff when I first joined COW long long time ago, through the main site though not by PM if I am not mistaken. I said I could provide pictures of a couple of brands which weren't present in the list. I never heard back from this person or, if I did, it was said to me that it will be looked into but never happened. Whoever was, honestly I don't remember, we're talking of 4 years ago more or less. Since then I never bothered again with the bags. Back then I thought that perhaps bags weren't THAT interesting compared to other pieces of gear in the eyes of these fanatics so I never asked again and felt a bit stupid for even offering.
Well if any of you is STILL interested I can send you the list of the brands I own and you let me know what pictures you would like me to take.
Well, it came off sounding as if you were saying this happened recently and after more than one attempt at asking. Heck, I couldn't even find a post on the forums from you regarding it. Regardless, if it happened that long ago, and you can't even remember if you got a reply or not, it's a bit unfair to pin it on the staff and accuse us of not being interested. We take enough flack as it is based off of assumptions.
Last Crusader wrote:MkVII bags have this little loop unless it was removed for some reason. The MkVI got a metal ring, as shown in the pic below.
A string was attached to that loop. The string was supposed to go arround the wearer´s back and than wrapped round the metal disc on the bag when the gas mask was in use.
Interesting photo. By the uniform and Gas mask it may be older than a Mk VI bag even
I feel, umh, almost proud to have contributed to give the input to update the site, hehe
Swindiana, if this could help: I have reasons to believe that the information about the R.D.&Co is incomplete: I have a bag marked 1942, and I'm pretty sure it's a R.D&Co model. Maybe Erri could confirm/deny my theory, I'm no expert
It's not necessarily a mistake, I'm sure some produced also batches in different years so that it's not unexpected if we find the same brand in 1941 and 1942.
Comes out that I have even more brands than I ever suspected! Need to recharge the camera batteries but you're going to like this collection. I've found some that are not even on the list on indygear. Whom can I send the amount of pictures to? Who's the "bag man"?
I'll post them online too but I'm supposing someone will want the high quality versions for the website
Sure Swindiana, I should be able to post them soon.
Last crusader, very nice collectable you got there! Still, I always prefer not to buy bags with the actual respirator masks in them because of the asbestos fear, since they are often in very bad conditions.
The bag is very unique looking I have to say!
Funny enough I think we know more about these bags than most of reenactors
I know there are plenty of reenactors also around here but I am not referring to you guys of course.
Erri wrote: I always prefer not to buy bags with the actual respirator masks in them because of the asbestos fear, since they are often in very bad conditions.
Thank you for that confirmation. It is what I thought but wasn't 100% sure.
We can say then that Indy's use of this respirator bag isn't that much of a stretch, even though the actual bag used in the movie was newer than the time depicted.
In the photos you linked to, the bag being used by the Doughboys looks to be slightly different?
so I never asked again and felt a bit stupid for even offering.
I'm sure it's original 
maybe there were different variations of the MKVII model?
