Are MK bags really that hard to find?

English Adventurer · Post by **English Adventurer** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 4:49 pm

I'm intrigued by people buying repro MK gas mask bags, are they actually really difficult to find in the USA and other countries? Or is it hard to just find the bags for sale without the gas mask being included?

What about the UK gear heads, do you find it hard to get an original bag?
Or maybe the interest in buying repros is the fact you don't want to ruin an original?

I'm just curious, because I personally have never had a problem finding them, both with and without the masks, I haven't looked to any recently (about 6 months or so) but I have had and sold more then I can count over the years. (admitedly to militaria collectors, not Indy gear collectors

I'm just curious,

Ian

Indiana Mitch · Post by **Indiana Mitch** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 6:01 pm

I have scoured the earth for these... I started by calling military shops all over New England (USA) and then spanned out all over the US, and then all over the world. Problem is, the ones that have toll-free numbers or who are accessible by email are not usually the "Mom and Sarge" places where older and rarer finds are available. Oh, and I found none, except for two from a small place in my own town. Got very lucky.

Mitch

Kentucky Blues · Post by **Kentucky Blues** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 6:12 pm

you say you've had and sold many, were they the right ones? MKvii's, or to some people's preferences, MKvi's?

Regards, Daryl.

English Adventurer · Post by **English Adventurer** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 6:31 pm

you say you've had and sold many, were they the right ones? MKvii's, or to some people's preferences, MKvi's

Yes, both kinds, I used to do British WW2 living history and sell some bits to other guys or exchange them.

Ian

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 9:37 pm

They are still out there.
At least 2 millions were made during WWII.
Keep looking, or PM me for a steady source of the ones with the black stripe on them.

Regards

Swindy

Jordan · Post by **Jordan** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 10:20 pm

This may have been asked before, but any idea what the black stripe meant that you see on some of the MKVII's? What was the purpose of the stripe?

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 10:28 pm

I think that the black stripe may have designated them as being training bags, but I may be mistaken.

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Sun Jan 25, 2004 7:38 am

IndyBlues wrote:I think that the black stripe may have designated them as being training bags, but I may be mistaken.

That is true. From what I've been told one team would have the black striped bags and the other team had non striped ones to tell them apart.

I haven't seen any footage of striped bags being used in the field yet so if someone should stumble upon one that would be great.

Regards
Swindiana

Sir Ernest · Post by **Sir Ernest** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 10:42 pm

EA,

When there are such nice repros that already come with a leather strap to be had, who cares how hard they are to find...that's what I say. The repros are really nice!

Anyone ever watch to see when Indy has his bag on one shot and it's gone in the next shot like in the Raven's bar or when he climbs out of the canyon on ToD. Or on with the buckle on the back like the middle of the Cairo fight scene...or on the other side like when he gets on the horse to catch the Ark? There's even a three-vent bag in ToD.

It's funny to watch.

Daniel

English Adventurer · Post by **English Adventurer** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 7:51 am

When there are such nice repros that already come with a leather strap to be had, who cares how hard they are to find...that's what I say. The repros are really nice!

Yeah, point taken, I'll shut up!

Seriously though, I wondered it they were really hard to find in the US or not, hence the market for the repros.
I too have noticed the errors you spotted, funny to watch indeed, it just reminds you that films are filmed bit by but, many times over, interesting stuff to watch!

Ian

Captain D · Post by **Captain D** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 11:17 am

Not only that, lol, but didn't they use a MKV I bag in Temple of Doom when Moloram and Indy are fighting for the bag and it bursts into flames? In that case, we can say "technically," that they used "an MKV I bag" so "BOTH" the MKV II bags and the MKV I bags are both "screen accurate".....?

Kind regards,
Captain D

Sir Ernest · Post by **Sir Ernest** » Fri Jan 30, 2004 6:00 pm

Captain D,

Is that one with 3 vents on the bottom and an extra pouch on the outside an MK VI...from ToD?

Daniel

Captain D · Post by **Captain D** » Fri Jan 30, 2004 11:05 pm

yep, just look at the post below this one....its an interesting thread!

Starman Jones · Post by **Starman Jones** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 3:03 pm

The originals are slightly larger than the repto, and is made of heavier fabric, thus holding its shape when you carry stuff in it. I just received a bag from Soldier of Fortune in Wales. It has two brass vents on the bottom, black strip, and small side pocket containg a length of cord. Is this a MK VI or VII? The nice thing about buying an original is they come pre-distressed. After 60 some years of storage, they smell rather dank. I sprayed mine with Febreeze. Smells like a breath of fresh air!

Jordan · Post by **Jordan** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 7:36 pm

Starman Jones wrote:I just received a bag from Soldier of Fortune in Wales. It has two brass vents on the bottom, black strip, and small side pocket containg a length of cord. Is this a MK VI or VII?

I think it is an MKVII...If that is the same Soldier of Fortune that Swindy was telling people about through PM's for some time now, then I am pretty sure it's a MKVII...