Well as you can certainly see that opinions are in no shortage. Ultimately at least for me Herbert Johnson is indeed the Holy Grail as far as the older Indiana Jones movies go. They made them originally and made a lot of them. That is not to say that the other manufacturers are not equal and just as good. However, if you are looking for one that was made by the very same company then Herbert Johnson of Swaine Adeney Brigg is the way to go!
Michelle at Herbert Johnson custom made my hat. I wanted whatever Harrison wore for the Indiana Jones franchise and that is exactly what I received! Luckily I am the same height and hat size as Harrison Ford. Weight? Not so much anymore as I have become older. lol.
The idea of the Holy Grail I find to be more subjective and relative to each person. To me it was simply about purchasing the hat from where it was first and originally made, for others it's more about as they described. It is an arguable topic. No matter where you buy it as far as all the places mentioned here. You WILL most certainly find the hat for you! Sometimes they are starter hats that are quite similar and more affordable, and sometimes they are horribly more expensive, etc. All these hats are amazing and the quality and craftsmanship are beyond amazing and will illicit a response from others when observed as you are wearing the iconic hat.
We, meaning all of us here are not just fans but have made this a way of life and we are keeping the franchise alive and going by honoring the look and as one gentlemen pointed out. When you reach my age, you just don't care what others think. You just enjoy the hat and if others are noticed admiring it then all the better!
Here is the receipt below from immediately after purchase from Herbert Johnson
Here is a screen capture of the inside of the sweatband and you can see the custom gold inlay I commissioned. I think that you will approve. ($10.00 per letter addition). The original Indiana Jones hat had gold inlay with the initials "I.J." short for Indiana Jones.
Here is the backside of the sweatband
Here is the inside of my Herbert Johnson Beaver Poet.
Here is a broad view of the bottom and inside of my Raider's Poet
Top view of Raider's Poet
Side view of the bow
Rear view
Front view
My hat size is 59.5 cm which I was told by the manager making my hat is the same exact size as Harrison Ford. I thought the crown seemed a bit high but it is a crown height of 5½ inches at a size 59cm. Brim: Dimensional (2¾" front & back, 2 ⅝" on sides) and the Ribbon: Original 1½ inch dark brown galloon ribbon-band with screen accurate Raiders bow style. These are all on their website and was confirmed by Michelle Poyer-Sleeman, Civilian Hatting Department Manager at Herbert Johnson Hatters.
The crown seems a bit high, but it isn't, it's accurate down to the letter however on your head it looks different. If you wear it Military style such as the brim one finger above the eyebrow you have a more serious look and the crown looks quite tall and you even look more serious, however if you take your index finger and push it up to about three or four fingers above your eyebrows the crown appears smaller and you have more of a cool and relaxed even friendlier kind of look to you.
When I had originally ordered this lovely hat it took a little over a month from Herbert Johnson, made in Beaver instead of Rabbit and did it take forever. Took more time to get from U.S. Customs and U.S. Fish and Wildlife than to make it
I hope this response as well as the response of others has better helped you to decide what kind of hat and where you want your hat made and/or bought from. So much to choose from and tons of great advice. The perfect hat is out there. Just a matter of where you want to buy it and have it made. No matter what or where your decision takes you, one thing is for sure. You will have a truly outstanding and most certainly well made and recognizable hat the world over.
Oh and the stories that you can and will tell of your adventures. The hat itself tells a story without you ever having to utter a single word.
Cheers to you and all of us Indiana Jones fans!
![TOH :TOH:](./images/smilies/Indy-Hat-Tip.gif)