Shorty, get our Gladstone

[bearbeast]

On my latest rewatch of ToD I noticed Indy's travel bag, that Short Round lugs around. And I thought it looked really cool:



I studied a bit and found out it is called a Gladstone bag and I decided I could most likely make one myself. I found a store that sold bag frames, ordered one and got to work.

It looks like Indy's bag might have been a bit stiffer at some point, but became soft like cotton with heavy use. I really liked the heavy bottom look it had and I tried to recreate this by giving the bag barrel walls and then a slight incline towards the frame, when in the closed position.

I went with natural leather, which will age nicely in time, until it is as dark as Indy's. Maybe I will also add the patches in time, but for now the pictures were too low quality to identify what they are and I kind of like the simple look of the bag.









Cheers,
Bear

[Indiana Jeff]

Wow! Amazing work.

I love the fabric you chose for the liner.

There is at least one thread here discussing the Gladstone bag. There may be better pictures of the stickers, though I could never put stickers on the bags I’ve acquired.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[bearbeast]

Thank you very much, Indiana Jeff!

I found one of the Gladstone bag threads some weeks ago, I think there is where I picked up the name for the travel bag. I need to search again, see the pictures there.

I am not sure I can find it in my heart to cover the natural leather with stickers either! For now I am quite happy with the bag and excited to use it in a weekend adventure. Whenever this will be... hopefully soon!

Cheers,
Bear

[Charybdis]

Wow, bearbeast, that is awesome! You have talent, that's for sure!

[bearbeast]

Thank you so, Charybdis, I appreciate your kind words!

[Michaelson]

Yeah, there was a big thread discussing this bag several years ago with examples of originals that had been found, but new finds are DEFINITELY welcomed to see what’s out there now!

I almost had a trade for an original in crocodile hide but the old lady at the antique store talked her son out of doing the trade.

Still worked out better for me in the long run, but I would have really liked to have had that bag.

Your bag is absolutely gorgeous!!!

Regards! Michaelson

[bearbeast]

Yeah, there was a big thread discussing this bag several years ago with examples of originals that had been found, but new finds are DEFINITELY welcomed to see what’s out there now!

I almost had a trade for an original in crocodile hide but the old lady at the antique store talked her son out of doing the trade.

Still worked out better for me in the long run, but I would have really liked to have had that bag.

Your bag is absolutely gorgeous!!!

Regards! Michaelson

Thanks, Michaelson!

I think collectors and Indygear-heads rather have 'not-buyer's-remorse' rather than 'buyer's-remorse'. I always find myself wishing I'd bought a rare find, rather than losing the opportunity.

So I know what you mean about the Croco-gladstone!

Cheers,
Bear

[Michaelson]

In my case, it’s not remorse from not getting, but from being BLOCKED from getting at the last moment FROM getting it.

That was years ago, and that old bitty still irritates me.

Regards! M

[bearbeast]

Oh, no! I can imagine how irksome that can be!

"I had it, Markus! I had it in my hand!"

Cheers,
Bear

[Michaelson]

Literally.

[bearbeast]

This might be your Cross of Coronado! Who knows when you'll run into it again, to snatch it back?

[Michaelson]

Well, it’s been over 25 years, so who knows……

Regards! M

[Nosirrah]

Be careful what you wish for. For years my grandpa's old Gladstone sat in our attic. When I was going away to school, I thought it would be cool to take it. By the time I unpacked it, everything inside had this funky smell that wouldn't go away. Think 'Seinfeld'-- the leather jacket episode.
Back to the attic.

[bearbeast]

You've stirred something in my childhood memories, Nossirah! I remember wanting to use all kinds of old stuff from my grandpa or grandma... I was so excited at first until I realised there might be a reason they used them no more....

And Michaelson, 25 years is not so long, the Croco-bag might pop out when you least expect it. But, yes, do check for the smell before putting your best garments inside!

[Michaelson]

That store is long gone so it won’t turn up there any time soon…..and believe me, I’m plenty long enough in tooth to know stored luggage needs TLC and serious airing before it can be put into regular use again. Heck, I remember when Eisenhower was in office.

I got my Dad’s 1947 croc Pullman back from that condition and it’s perfect again. It’s doable.

Regards! M

[Canyon]

Heck, I remember when Eisenhower was in office.

Regards! M

And I remember when Maggie Thatcher was at 10 Downing Street...

And Michaelson, 25 years is not so long.

For some, that's a long time, heck, soon i'll be twice as old as that

[Michaelson]

[bearbeast]

For some, that's a long time, heck, soon i'll be twice as old as that

Well, I wish many more happy years!

But of course you are right, 25 years is a quarter of a life after all. I was only thinking of movie magic: "25 years later.... The bag suddenly popped into my life again..."

[Spooky]

Great looking Gladstone, bearbeast !!!
Outstanding job.

[bearbeast]

Great looking Gladstone, bearbeast !!!
Outstanding job.

Thank you loads, Spooky! Glad you liked it!

Cheers,
Bear

[Wotalark]

That's a fine looking bag Bear! Love your detective work and your fantastic craftsmanship.

[bearbeast]

That's a fine looking bag Bear! Love your detective work and your fantastic craftsmanship.

Thank you, Wotalark! Really appreciate your kind words!

[davidd]

You made a modern-day Gladstone bag? That is incredible! Impressive work! And impressive ambition!

Some years ago (2011) I found and purchased a vintage Gladstone bag via ebay:



The bag was marked "Warranted OX Leather" on the underside, and measured about 16 inches long.

Amusingly (to me, at least), the embossed initials suggested... Flying Spaghetti Monster.

As the bag appeared to be quite sturdy and in good condition, I intended to use it as a general purpose vintage carryall, particularly when Indy-gearing. However, after only one or two uses the handles gave way, even though I had been careful not to overload the bag.

I managed to re-sell the bag for what I paid, so it wasn't a total loss.

Again, I am impressed beyond measure at your talent in reproducing an intricate item like a Gladstone bag.

[bearbeast]

You made a modern-day Gladstone bag? That is incredible! Impressive work! And impressive ambition!

Some years ago (2011) I found and purchased a vintage Gladstone bag via ebay:



The bag was marked "Warranted OX Leather" on the underside, and measured about 16 inches long.

Amusingly (to me, at least), the embossed initials suggested... Flying Spaghetti Monster.

As the bag appeared to be quite sturdy and in good condition, I intended to use it as a general purpose vintage carryall, particularly when Indy-gearing. However, after only one or two uses the handles gave way, even though I had been careful not to overload the bag.

I managed to re-sell the bag for what I paid, so it wasn't a total loss.

Again, I am impressed beyond measure at your talent in reproducing an intricate item like a Gladstone bag.

Thank you so much, davidd! I appreciate your kind words! I did step out of my comfort zone with some of the leather working techniques. I made a lot of trials on small leather scraps and loads of calculations... Not to mention the paper mock-up got adjusted five times before I was happy...

That vintage bag really looked amazing, I especially liked the pattern on the leather. Sorry it gave out on you, I guess it had been on one too many adventures.

[bearbeast]

Well, it has been more than two years since I made my Gladstone. At the time I was wondering where I was going to put this huge prop. Most of the time I just enjoy the process of making the props and once they are finished I lose interest.

I never imagined the use I would get out of it. I have used it on each vacation I took by car in the last two years. And since my wife and I switch living between our small city apartment and our small house in a village nearby quite often, I used it every one-two weeks as an overnight/overweek bag. It has really become my favourite piece of luggage.

In the last two years it has aged beautifully and gotten a very nice patina, a warm brown-gold colouring:





I am curios to see what it will look like in another couple of years. I am guessing it will be loose like the original ToD back.

Cheers,
Bear