TONY NOWAK IS REPLICATING AN ORIGINAL RAIDERS JACKET!!

[Michaelson]

well, I did!



That said, yes, it's interesting that this is what Wested HAD been making, and folks hollered how much they DIDN'T like the leather and it's purplish undertones, so Peter moved on to another hide. Now it's back in it's original form by TN, and folks once again are complaining about it's appearance and 'purplish undertones'. It's long been established (at least to me) that folks want what they used on screen.... but not really..... ;-)

Regards! Michaelson

[agent5]

Sure seems like it, Bink, although I know you'd never admit it.

[binkmeisterRick]

That's okay, Michaelson. Here, let me pour you another cup of coffee. Besides, it's only a matter of time before another copy of a copy of a copy of a copy of another jacket comes into being.

[binkmeisterRick]

Sure seems like it, Bink, although I know you'd never admit it.

Eh? Show me where I said it looked like Tony's jacket. Heck, at least I was nice enough not to say that Wested looked like pleather based off those pics. ;-)

[Mulceber]

We should seriously ask Peter about the possibility of acquiring that old hide again... -M

[Michaelson]

It must be available since Tony is getting it, but as I recall Peter was getting it from the tannery in England that went out of business. That was another reason it was an easy decision for him to move away from the material.

Regards! Michaelson

[Mulceber]

Shame...that tannery was probably the source of the original raiders hide. -M

[Michaelson]

Yes, it was.

Regards! Michaelson

[agent5]

We should seriously ask Peter about the possibility of acquiring that old hide again... -M

I've been wanting this since 2002. Peter's old hides from the English Co. were great. The newer stuff is a bit more plastic-like. Not horrible at all, but nowhere near as good as the old stuff. Even though my first Wested wasn't anywhere near as SA as he makes them now it's still my favorite Wested jacket. I wish Peter would search high and low for some new leather to match what he once sold. Don't know if that would be cost effective for him but it certainly would be much better for us.

[Mulceber]

We should start a petition. -M

[PLATON]

Give me a piece of that leather and I can supply you the same.

[Baldwyn]

I knew you guys were going to fall for this. I was only joking.
Wested did not copy TN's jacket (at least not yet as far as I know)
But isn't it very similar???

This jacket is circa 99 (see this thread viewtopic.php?t=20725&highlight=99)

Amazing?

I didn't fall for it either. The cloth inner facing collar stand gave away when it was made.

[RCSignals]

I knew you guys were going to fall for this. I was only joking.
Wested did not copy TN's jacket (at least not yet as far as I know)
But isn't it very similar???

This jacket is circa 99 (see this thread viewtopic.php?t=20725&highlight=99)

Amazing?

What you've proven is perhaps that Wested used to offer a much more accurate jacket that wasn't good enough for fans? and the TN jacket and it's hide is closer to the real jacket than some people want to admit?

[indyrocks]

I knew you guys were going to fall for this. I was only joking.
Wested did not copy TN's jacket (at least not yet as far as I know)
But isn't it very similar???

This jacket is circa 99 (see this thread viewtopic.php?t=20725&highlight=99)

Amazing?

What you've proven is perhaps that Wested used to offer a much more accurate jacket that wasn't good enough for fans? and the TN jacket and it's hide is closer to the real jacket than some people want to admit?

Makes sense. It seems like Peter knew what he had originally used and was offering something close to it in the 90s. TN actually held the thing itself and he comes up with shrunken lamb. All evidence seems to point to it as being more or less the accurate leather choice.

[Mulceber]

I guess this is what happens when the Indygear community lets their collective perception of the gear trump cold hard empirical evidence. -M

[Michaelson]

It's not the first time. ;-)

Regard! Michaelson

[indyrocks]

I guess this is what happens when the Indygear community lets their collective perception of the gear trump cold hard empirical evidence. -M

Yeah more or less. Although there is much to be said for fan input. Then again, Peter was trying to please his customers which is fair also.

[moses]

Has no one else ordered or received one of these yet? Only about 5 or so people have posted that they have one.

[RCSignals]

Has no one else ordered or received one of these yet? Only about 5 or so people have posted that they have one.

I suspect there are more buyers than just those who post here.

[indyrocks]

Has no one else ordered or received one of these yet? Only about 5 or so people have posted that they have one.

If you mean Indy I's from Tony, he's sold quite a few according to him. Not everyone who's bought them is a member here. (Yes I know, weird to think we aren't the only Indy fans... )

I ordered an Indy I that is being overnighted to me today. It's in the matte lamb though, not shrunken. I will post pics immediately.

[binkmeisterRick]

moses wrote:

Has no one else ordered or received one of these yet? Only about 5 or so people have posted that they have one.

Like Terry Leonard. ;-)

[indyrocks]

Speaking of Terry Leonard, what was his Indy I made from? Was it the lighter colored shrunken lamb? Was any of this confirmed by Tony?

Also Bink, where did the "matte/flat" lamb title come from? Was that what Tony called it? The reason I ask this is because when first placing my order Tony didn't know what I meant when I said "flat/matte" lamb, he needed me to send him the picture.

Then, curiously, he said "ohhh that's a good choice, but it's more expensive." However at this point he had already quoted me a price which was lower apparently, and being the upstanding gentleman that he is, he stood by the original price. Basically I'm trying to determine exactly what this leather is called, and is it what TL had or did he have light shrunken lamb?

Phew....

[crismans]

From Tony, it was my understanding that Leonard went with the shrunken lamb in a lighter color.

[binkmeisterRick]

Also Bink, where did the "matte/flat" lamb title come from? Was that what Tony called it? The reason I ask this is because when first placing my order Tony didn't know what I meant when I said "flat/matte" lamb, he needed me to send him the picture

Yeah, that's what he called it. When I was taking the pics and writing down what each was so I could label them later, he paused for a second and then called it that. I think he was trying to give it a name he could remember later. Guess it didn't work out that way.

[indyrocks]

Also Bink, where did the "matte/flat" lamb title come from? Was that what Tony called it? The reason I ask this is because when first placing my order Tony didn't know what I meant when I said "flat/matte" lamb, he needed me to send him the picture

Yeah, that's what he called it. When I was taking the pics and writing down what each was so I could label them later, he paused for a second and then called it that. I think he was trying to give it a name he could remember later. Guess it didn't work out that way.

Yeah I didn't want to come out and say it but it had definitely dawned on me....

[jacksdad]

I thought I saw Tony is offering goat skin, is that true or did I miss read that, and if so how much does anybody know how much it would run?

[knibs7]

I thought I saw Tony is offering goat skin, is that true or did I miss read that, and if so how much does anybody know how much it would run?

That would be AWESOME! Can someone confirm this?

Nibs

[indyrocks]

I don't believe Tony has mentioned any goat offerings yet. However I'm sure nothing is beyond his reach as far as leather choices.

Side note-My matte lamb is being over-nighted and will be in my posession tomorrow.

[Hatch]

this pic of my jacket happened to catch the light and grain the best so far.......it seems close.......... Hatch....

..................this doesn't seem like a "new batch" as much as natural variation and selection of more or less grain this pic is back of mine #014 Oct 08....just tell TN if you want more or less grain ...he's easy to work with.....

[Zendragon]

Wow I got away for a bit and there is a new debate on the board. I tried to read the entire 37 pages I really did and the other man TN threads too....

So let me see if I understand the story here, cause the latest jackets from TN look pretty #### nice.

TN, the maker of the CS jackets, and also someone who I guess is licensed to sell them, got his hands on two Raiders jackets. One from a private collector and one from Lucas from the Ranch. From this he has re-created a Raiders jacket which is now available for like $900+ ?

And people are really excited about it because they feel that it is based of of the hero jackets?

[Michaelson]

Let's see :

Yes.

Yes, and

maybe, and maybe not. Tony's not talking.

Yes.

...and the jury's still out on that.

I believe that covers it.

Good to see you around, Zen!

Regards! Michaelson

[Zendragon]

Let's see :

Yes.

Yes, and

maybe, and maybe not. Tony's not talking.

Yes.

...and the jury's still out on that.

I believe that covers it.

Good to see you around, Zen!

Regards! Michaelson

Hahaha thanks Michaelson... you know there is nothing like new gear to bring me out of hiding.

Regarding the source jackets, especially the one from the Ranch, I would wonder about it's authenticity.

I will tell you why I question it:

I have friends who work for different companies that hold licenses with LFL. They have been to the ranch countless times to look through the archives, doing research and looking over originals. Once thing that rings true from all of them is that Lucas does not have a ton of reference material on many of the items, Indy included. They have more from the Last Crusade than anything. That being said, they have been forced to gather most of their information the same way that we have, through photos and screen shots, and of course talking to gear heads like us.

When it came to the "Raiders" license, the parties were told that an original Raiders jacket was not available. So while that were able to look at idols, whips, etc... the Raiders jacket itself was one that they would have to guess on.

If that is true, then why would an original Raiders jacket be available for someone else suddenly?

The other thing that I have been told is that many folks from LFL are not actually really in touch when it comes to details of certain prop items. So if they were told it was an original, why would they think different? If Lucas sent you a jacket and said this is the jacket, why would you assume it wasn't? How would you know it wasn't an original?

These are questions that sit in my mind anyway.

I think in the end, for those who like the TN jacket and are cool with the price... then enjoy!

For those who would rather go with a Wested (because it comes from the original source), or the Expedition (because it is based off of one of the jackets) or a Todd's for that matter... if you like it, go with it. In the end the only opinion that really matters is your own, cause the rest of us will be arguing about it till the cows come home.

[Dutch_jones]

Wow Zendragon ! Thanks for that great post !

[Zendragon]

Wow Zendragon ! Thanks for that great post !

Thanks Dutch.

We tend to fight a lot around here. Not because we don't like each other, but for a few reasons, money is one, but beyond that, a lot of this gear stuff is based on opinion and hearsay, yet we all want the more accurate gear.

We are talking about gear from over 25 years ago from makers who barely remember what they did at the time and only through us refreshing their memories have come to create what we have available to us now.

Even still, it's totally about the perception of what a screen prop looks like. Most of us, if we saw one wouldn't want it. We would put it on and wear it with our other gear and be told it was wrong, because it wouldn't look like the one from the scene we remember. Colors, fit, etc... all will differ depending on the scene. That's IF the same prop was used, which we know isn't the case most of the time.

I mean, really, while for some it may matter that an idea is an exact replica of the original, but not if it looks horrible on your body lol. Most of us want the "look" itself rather than the exact replica.

It's great to know the details of the original jacket, although with the owner details of the original being kept hush hush, all we are doing is trusting that the information is true. So really, IMO we don't really know and are just taking a leap of faith.

[RCSignals]

Wow I got away for a bit and there is a new debate on the board. I tried to read the entire 37 pages I really did and the other man TN threads too....

So let me see if I understand the story here, cause the latest jackets from TN look pretty #### nice.

TN, the maker of the CS jackets, and also someone who I guess is licensed to sell them, got his hands on two Raiders jackets. One from a private collector and one from Lucas from the Ranch. From this he has re-created a Raiders jacket which is now available for like $900+ ?

And people are really excited about it because they feel that it is based of of the hero jackets?

you haven't read enough.

You haven't read about the two jackets it's clear, and the source of the only one copied has not been revealed. To say it was directly "from Lucas from the Ranch" is a broad assumption.

[Zendragon]

you haven't read enough.

You haven't read about the two jackets it's clear, and the source of the only one copied has not been revealed. To say it was directly "from Lucas from the Ranch" is a broad assumption.

Perhaps, which is why I was trying to get the general idea. No assumptions were made. So it seems that you know the full story, so now I can summarize based on your response here...

There were two jackets, that may or may not be hero jackets, cause no one is saying (it's a secret or has evidience), but one of those jackets was used to copy the TN jacket we are talking about now. Again, though, if I am clear, we don't know which one, or where the jackets came from in the first place, but one of them was used to copy. All we know is that the TN jacket looks very nice, that shrunken lamb is the recommended leather and there are going to be 888 jackets made at around $1000 each.

Am I on target now?

[RCSignals]

you haven't read enough.

You haven't read about the two jackets it's clear, and the source of the only one copied has not been revealed. To say it was directly "from Lucas from the Ranch" is a broad assumption.

Perhaps, which is why I was trying to get the general idea. No assumptions were made. So it seems that you know the full story, so now I can summarize based on your response here...

There were two jackets, that may or may not be hero jackets, cause no one is saying (it's a secret or has evidience), but one of those jackets was used to copy the TN jacket we are talking about now. Again, though, if I am clear, we don't know which one, or where the jackets came from in the first place, but one of them was used to copy. All we know is that the TN jacket looks very nice, that shrunken lamb is the recommended leather and there are going to be 888 jackets made at around $1000 each.

Am I on target now?

No you are not on target about the two jackets. The story of them has been posted here. You can find it if it's of interest to you.
The source of one of them was not a secret, it was not a hero jacket and has nothing to do with the 888 run of jackets.

[Zendragon]

you haven't read enough.

You haven't read about the two jackets it's clear, and the source of the only one copied has not been revealed. To say it was directly "from Lucas from the Ranch" is a broad assumption.

Perhaps, which is why I was trying to get the general idea. No assumptions were made. So it seems that you know the full story, so now I can summarize based on your response here...

There were two jackets, that may or may not be hero jackets, cause no one is saying (it's a secret or has evidience), but one of those jackets was used to copy the TN jacket we are talking about now. Again, though, if I am clear, we don't know which one, or where the jackets came from in the first place, but one of them was used to copy. All we know is that the TN jacket looks very nice, that shrunken lamb is the recommended leather and there are going to be 888 jackets made at around $1000 each.

Am I on target now?

No you are not on target about the two jackets. The story of them has been posted here. You can find it if it's of interest to you.
The source of one of them was not a secret, it was not a hero jacket and has nothing to do with the 888 run of jackets.

Thanks RC. Clearly you are unable to assist me with my questions, I do appreciate the attempt.

So anyone else want to take a stab at getting me up to speed here? After reading a lot of threads, and a lot of debating, I am still not 100% on the story here, but I know that you guys are.

[RCSignals]

Thanks RC. Clearly you are unable to assist me with my questions, I do appreciate the attempt.

So anyone else want to take a stab at getting me up to speed here? After reading a lot of threads, and a lot of debating, I am still not 100% on the story here, but I know that you guys are.

I don't know what else you are after about the jacket. There was only one copied. Only one was a Hero jacket.
If you want to know who owns the jacket copied and where it came from, so would everyone else.

[Raider S]

The trolling here is reaching a critical mass.

Please everyone, just wait till Wested copies a TN Raiders and offers it in crispe (or whatever they want to call it). Then everyone can have the jacket they want. Won't be long now...

[Mac]

Zendragon this may answer your question…

The Tony Nowak Raiders HERO Pattern Replica #000/888 was the 1st jacket that Tony made from the actual HERO jacket that he had obtained from a source that Tony promised would not be disclosed. Tony is a man of his word and therefore, I apologize, but I cannot reveal that information to you.

…

First off, many of you have asked why is it that Tony didn't just post/share pictures of the actual HERO jacket that he had in hand? The reasoning is quite simple.... The source of the jacket personally requested Tony to NOT take any photos of the jacket nor to share its origins with the public. Again, Tony is a man of his word and he abided by the source's wishes. Likewise, with the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull jacket that Tony had the opportunity of re-creating from an actual Last Crusade jacket that was sent to him, he was also asked to not take any photos of the actual Last Crusade jacket to share with the public.

Another topic that I'd like to discuss is the speculation around the 2nd Raider's jacket that Tony had in his possesion, the Leather Concessionaires [sp?] jacket. This jacket was NOT the basis for the #000/888 jacket that Tony made. In fact, this jacket was sent to Tony by a "Collector of Rare Antiquities" by the name of Robert Sparks [sp?].


Sparks contacted Tony from Hong Kong and asked Tony to make a copy of what he believed to be closest jacket to a Raiders screen used jacket. This was a jacket that actually had a tag that said, "Leather Concessionaires" on it. This jacket had a brass zipper and hardware (buckle/snaps).

Sparks asked Tony to make him a copy of the jacket that he sent. At the time that Tony received Spark's jacket, he notified Sparks that he was actually working on his own Raider's jacket and that it was made from an actual HERO jacket that he had obtained from a secret source. Tony told him that his HERO jacket actually had a silver colored zipper and hardware (buckle/snaps). However Sparks at the time believed that his jacket was a closer match to the actual screen used jacket...

Tony ended up making Sparks a copy of his original Leather Concessionaires jacket as he had requested, he also didn't want to hurt Sparks feelings in any way and to honor what he wanted done. Tony then sent back both the original Leather Concessionaires jacket and the copy of it back to Sparks.

I believe that Sparks is actually an active member of this forum, or actively reads the posts on COW because Tony said that after Sparks saw some of the posts of initial Raiders jackets purchased by members of this forum, Sparks then contacted Tony again and asked him to make him another Raiders jacket in the shrunken lamb. I believe that Sparks was also convinced that Tony had the real deal HERO jacket in hand as well.

All from the first page and first post in the Tony Nowak Raiders HERO Pattern Replica #000/888 (tutorial):
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=36638&start=0

- Mac

[Zendragon]

Zendragon this may answer your question…

The Tony Nowak Raiders HERO Pattern Replica #000/888 was the 1st jacket that Tony made from the actual HERO jacket that he had obtained from a source that Tony promised would not be disclosed. Tony is a man of his word and therefore, I apologize, but I cannot reveal that information to you.

…

First off, many of you have asked why is it that Tony didn't just post/share pictures of the actual HERO jacket that he had in hand? The reasoning is quite simple.... The source of the jacket personally requested Tony to NOT take any photos of the jacket nor to share its origins with the public. Again, Tony is a man of his word and he abided by the source's wishes. Likewise, with the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull jacket that Tony had the opportunity of re-creating from an actual Last Crusade jacket that was sent to him, he was also asked to not take any photos of the actual Last Crusade jacket to share with the public.

Another topic that I'd like to discuss is the speculation around the 2nd Raider's jacket that Tony had in his possesion, the Leather Concessionaires [sp?] jacket. This jacket was NOT the basis for the #000/888 jacket that Tony made. In fact, this jacket was sent to Tony by a "Collector of Rare Antiquities" by the name of Robert Sparks [sp?].


Sparks contacted Tony from Hong Kong and asked Tony to make a copy of what he believed to be closest jacket to a Raiders screen used jacket. This was a jacket that actually had a tag that said, "Leather Concessionaires" on it. This jacket had a brass zipper and hardware (buckle/snaps).

Sparks asked Tony to make him a copy of the jacket that he sent. At the time that Tony received Spark's jacket, he notified Sparks that he was actually working on his own Raider's jacket and that it was made from an actual HERO jacket that he had obtained from a secret source. Tony told him that his HERO jacket actually had a silver colored zipper and hardware (buckle/snaps). However Sparks at the time believed that his jacket was a closer match to the actual screen used jacket...

Tony ended up making Sparks a copy of his original Leather Concessionaires jacket as he had requested, he also didn't want to hurt Sparks feelings in any way and to honor what he wanted done. Tony then sent back both the original Leather Concessionaires jacket and the copy of it back to Sparks.

I believe that Sparks is actually an active member of this forum, or actively reads the posts on COW because Tony said that after Sparks saw some of the posts of initial Raiders jackets purchased by members of this forum, Sparks then contacted Tony again and asked him to make him another Raiders jacket in the shrunken lamb. I believe that Sparks was also convinced that Tony had the real deal HERO jacket in hand as well.

All from the first page and first post in the Tony Nowak Raiders HERO Pattern Replica #000/888 (tutorial):
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=36638&start=0

- Mac

Thanks Mac. I read that earlier and have read a bunch of other threads now. I think I have an understandning.

It looks like the answer is pretty clear, you just have to trust that what you are being told is legit, because no one has any actual proof of what is being said here.

Personally, I like the photos of the jacket I have seen. Not sure if I think it is worthy of my $975 or not yet, trying to figure out in my head what makes that jacket that much versus another vendor out there. I have no idea what Tony's normal jackets go for, so I am just basing it on G&B for example.

Are we paying $975 because it is made by the guy who made the Indy 4 jackets?
Is it because the materials are more money?
Is it because it is based off of a hero jacket?

I am used to someone giving some logic as to why their jacket is a few hundred more than others. I haven't read that anywhere yet, but I am looking. I can sell off a couple of my Indy jackets and then get one of these

[Raider S]

I am used to someone giving some logic as to why their jacket is a few hundred more than others. I haven't read that anywhere yet, but I am looking.

You're saying you don't know why people would pay more for a Nowak jacket?

First, the price of the shrunken lamb is in the $900 range. Tony's CS jackets are just under $700 and his Raiders in other hides are $750.

Second, are you comparing apples to apples or apples to oranges?

Forget what other Indy jackets cost because it really has nothing to do with this. You need to compare Nowak with other true custom jackets. He's offering an exact duplicate of a hero jacket (yeah, some people will never believe that) to your exact specs. Look at how much good A2 or G1 duplicates cost. Look at how much other film copy jackets cost. Compared to that, Nowak's prices are right in line.

For some reason G&B is coming up lately and I don't understand it. You probably can't get a better off-the-rack jacket than G&B but it's exactly that, an excellent off-the-rack jacket. Nowak offers customization (and the fact he's a guy who's made jackets for an Indy film). Add to that a limited number; there will be 888 Raiders and each will be unique. There's also Tony's customer service.

Sure, there's an amount of "fairy dust" when buying a Nowak. Just like all those people buying countless Wested's because of a connection to the movie (who also tend to overlook LOTS of issues with that product), people buying a Nowak have no problem paying more for certain intangible qualities that go along with it.

But again, compare the price to other true customs and there's nothing at all shocking or high about the cost.

[Zendragon]

I am used to someone giving some logic as to why their jacket is a few hundred more than others. I haven't read that anywhere yet, but I am looking.

You're saying you don't know why people would pay more for a Nowak jacket?

First, the price of the shrunken lamb is in the $900 range. Tony's CS jackets are just under $700 and his Raiders in other hides are $750.

Second, are you comparing apples to apples or apples to oranges?

Forget what other Indy jackets cost because it really has nothing to do with this. You need to compare Nowak with other true custom jackets. He's offering an exact duplicate of a hero jacket (yeah, some people will never believe that) to your exact specs. Look at how much good A2 or G1 duplicates cost. Look at how much other film copy jackets cost. Compared to that, Nowak's prices are right in line.

For some reason G&B is coming up lately and I don't understand it. You probably can't get a better off-the-rack jacket than G&B but it's exactly that, an excellent off-the-rack jacket. Nowak offers customization (and the fact he's a guy who's made jackets for an Indy film). Add to that a limited number; there will be 888 Raiders and each will be unique. There's also Tony's customer service.

Sure, there's an amount of "fairy dust" when buying a Nowak. Just like all those people buying countless Wested's because of a connection to the movie (who also tend to overlook LOTS of issues with that product), people buying a Nowak have no problem paying more for certain intangible qualities that go along with it.

But again, compare the price to other true customs and there's nothing at all shocking or high about the cost.

Yep that's exactly what I was asking. And $975 is closer to $1000 than it is to $900. But that being said, $75 isn't all that much and a lot of what you are saying sounds fair to me.

I didn't know what his other jackets ran, so I was just looking for the sales pitch and you made it.

In many ways, the 888 limited run in itself makes this jacket extra special even if people buy into the hero jacket thing or not. Tony could come out and say... I have spent hours researching, based on my knowledge and experience in this industry, I'm making a limited run Raiders jacket with everything that the fans are looking for and still sold it for $975.

Thanks for giving a more realistic answer/sales pitch to what makes this jacket worth the money.

As I have said, I haven't been in the jacket forum in a really long time, and I don't talk much either. So when I had ordered what I thought was the end all to jackets a few years ago, consider me surprised to come to see all of this.

[Kevin Anderson]

What was that jacket, Zen, just out of interest?
I myself purchased, in the end, four Wested jackets, foolishly hoping each would be better than the last..

[Raider S]

I would guess a G&B.

And if I'd already owned a G&B I don't think I'd be horribly upset if I couldn't have a TN as well. I really wanted one good, tough jacket to wear for a long time. Like Kevin I've had a few Wested's. I also have a couple USW's. The Wested's are just too much of a fashion jacket for me and the USW's, while being built like tanks, just aren't "Indy" enough.

There are jackets for everyone right now!

[Zendragon]

What was that jacket, Zen, just out of interest?
I myself purchased, in the end, four Wested jackets, foolishly hoping each would be better than the last..

At the time Agent 5 had posted the Screen Accurate Raiders ordering guide and I followed that.

My former distressed cow Wested was less than accurate and my Flightsuits didn't fit right.

Peter did an exception job on it accept for the zipper

[Michaelson]

What's so ironic is Peter was the one who requested we take DOWN the '5' specs, as it was driving him absolutely nuts trying to fulfill the special order requirements that those specifications requested him to do his existing patterns.

Regards! Michaelson

[CM]

So zendragon, sounds like you're not certain the TN jacket is legit - why not start a separate post asking what evidence we have to suppost the TN jacket was based on a real Raiders jacket? Of course, you'll be hated, as this is now an article of faith with some folks.

Personally I think it probably was used film jacket. My own view is that the film jacket should inspire a jacket look, not the quest to get the utterly identical copy. The film jacket is a cool jacket but I don't really want the actual one from the film, I want something very close but properly made, with a tougher hide and a little longer in the body.

One of the great problems here is that the whole jacket pedigree was off from the begining. One manufacturer brags about having the original blueprints, when they obviously do not. I'm still annoyed that I was misled from that. So many people are suspicious about any great new find because the central jacket story has changed so many times.

[Don't Call Me Junior!]

The thing that I find most intriguing is the exact different approach people are taking when it comes to Tony's jackets. I haven't counted but I think that "I could buy three or four <insert vendor other than TN here> jackets for what Tony's cost" is heard a lot more often around here than "I've bought many jackets hoping that each one would be closer to the Indy look than the last one I bought". There are obviously a few of us that fall into the latter.

The economics are quite easy for a simple minded guy like me to understand. I spent thousands over the years buying jacket after jacket when I really was just searching for one (Ok, well maybe one from each film!) and always, always came up at least a little short and most of the time a lot short. G&B would be the closest to great for me but without a custom for my build it would never be quite right. It was Tony who came along and stopped the bleeding.

The jacket Tony sent to me was the first one EVER to make me say (in the immortal words of Peter Boyle), "HOLY @#$%!". I had seen the pictures. I had heard the personal reviews from other owners. Even Tony himself warned me. UN-BELIEVE-AB-LE. Night and day. Months later after the new factor has worn off, I still say when it comes to the quality and consistency in the construction of the jacket, the stitching and materials and most importantly of all in any business IMO, the unbelievable level of customer service - night and day - no comparison.

Why are some people choosing to buy a jacket from Tony over another vendor when his cost so much? It's not because they're all rich. I'm not that's for sure. Maybe they also have learned the lesson I have learned? Guys like Mr. Anderson?

If your intention is to acquire a large quantity of jackets in the long run, possibly at the expense of quality, there are many excellent vendors to choose from a get a really nice looking Indy jacket.

Origins of leather, pedigree, etc aside:

As odd as this may sound I believe the following to be quite true for the average bear looking to get that one great Indy jacket. I'm talking about someone wanting to purchase a quality made Indy jacket that captures all of the spirit of the original jacket and is built exactly as you want it to be - guaranteed - AND save money in the long run - seriously consider getting a Tony Nowak jacket. Learn from those of us who kept spending and spending trying to buy that jacket that was a little better than the last. You will truly be ahead of the game.