Was a goatskin jacket ever used on screen in an Indy movie?

[Harold Steele]

I’ve been enjoying wearing my Gibson & Barnes Expedition goatskin jackets these days. I own a size 42 and 44. What splendid, well-constructed, easy-wearing, seemingly indestructible jackets they are. Will last generations.

My joy with G&B has me pondering: was a goatskin Indy jacket ever used on screen in any of the movies?

As I understand, Harrison’s Indy jackets in the original three movies were lambskin. But I recall reading, likely in a forum, that a stunt man in Raiders used a goatskin jacket, perhaps during the truck chase, and G&B got a hold of that goatskin jacket and used it as model for their Expedition.

Based on the best available and most recent info, is that narrative true? If so, in what scenes in what Indy films was a goatskin jacket worn?


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[Michaelson]

The G&B Expo was based on a screen used lambskin stunt jacket. I’m not aware of any film used jackets being made in goatskin.

As a matter of fact, Peter Botwright told me in a personal phone call years ago he’d NEVER EVER use goatskin for an Indy jacket as he didn’t like the hide. He said he hated the stuff. He’d use it on special order, but not by choice.

Right after the goatskin G&B Expo was introduced with great success, lo and behold, Peter reversed course and came out with a goatskin Wested, and his was good stuff too, but prior to the Expo, Wested never produced any goatskin for the films for the reason stated above.

The goatskin Expo was the best of the lot. In my opinion it was the top of the heap due to mil spec assembly and pattern, robustness, lighter physically than cowhide, and it’s natural water resistance.

They tried lambskin, horsehide, vegetable and chrome tanned goat, cowhide and even deerskin as each iteration came out. It was a fascinating process! I was on the phone or email with Dave Marshall almost every other day!

Like you said, the Expo’s are built like tanks. I have MK’s prototype and a black lambskin myself which gets a LOT of wear time too.

Unconfirmed rumors abounded that the original Wilson jackets were used up in stunts and those were cowhide…but none have been found in the wild and it was assumed they were destroyed in use it just disappeared in rental sales.

I was always puzzled by the use of cowhide in CS, as the criteria for that jacket was the ability to resist a lot of exposure to water! Goatskin was the PERFECT hide, but they went with the heavy cowhide. Tony never could answer that question for me. He just blamed Pollack for the choice, but wasn’t goatskin even offered? Now I’m rambling.

So lambskin and cowhide….no goatskin.

Regards! Michaelson

[Indiana Jeff]

I have a vegetable tanned Expo in goat that I got 3rd or 4th hand. It passed through many members here, including Michaelson, and it's the best Indy jacket I have owned.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[Michaelson]

Yep. That’s the ‘one that got away’.

Regards! M

[Charybdis]

I have a Wested in goatskin. I absolutely love it!

[Illinois_Jones]

As a USN vet and proud wearer of an authentic (and earned) G-1 and all around goatskin aficionado I remember pretty much begging Peter to make a goatskin Indy for me WAY BACK when. I was pretty much ecstatic when G&B came out with the Expedition.

But yeah I never really understood the aversion to goatskin. I don't think Peter really liked the grain, especially for clothing and after dealing nappa most of the time. And the funny thing is, as we all know, that a jacket from the 30s would have more likely been made out of goatskin if it wasn't horsehide. And I never understood the cowhide decision for CS either. It would be one thing if it were purpose built but I can't think of anything in CS you'd want a heavier hide for, especially comparing it to the trilogy where the lighter weight of lamb almost certainly factored into it given the climate of the locations. I mean if it were today and I were the director, I'd likely ask for special horse or steerhide jackets specifically for the truck chase in Raiders, but I can't think of why you'd want cowhide for CS other than Pollack liking the hide -- maybe he thought it looked more "rugged" or something.

[Dangerfreak]

I have a Wested Raiders in goatskin. Tough as old boots, but still pretty light and comfortable. It's my favourite, go-to jacket and gets a lot of wear. I love it.

[Michaelson]

Goatskin is the perfect go to hide of an adventure jacket!

Regards! M

[rbxb]

Fully agree. Lamb (or the old Lambtouch) for SA drape and light duty. Goat for repelling Hovitos darts, swimming, rolling down mountains, getting dragged behind vehicles, big thugs and snake fighting.
Lamb for show, Goat for go.

Goatskin is the perfect go to hide of an adventure jacket!

Regards! M

[bearbeast]

Lamb for show, Goat for go.

Ah, I love that!

[Cowboy]

Goatskin is the perfect go to hide of an adventure jacket!

Regards! M

Totally agree! I just wish my G&B sleeves were longer. I can't wear it due to them being 1" +/- too short.

Love my SJ in cow, but the G&B felt like a real working jacket.

[Michaelson]

That was something I wrestled with Dave Marshall a lot on sleeve lengths on the OTR Expos during development. They aways made the 42-44’s with 24” sleeves….too short for an average person. Only the made to measure jackets were made with longer sleeves.

Hated they never came around to that thinking, as I know a lot of jackets were returned due to that issue and sold off on clearance.

Regards! M

[The_Edge]

My goat G&B Expedition is still going strong after 21 years of regular use. I absolutely love it. Goat may not be screen accurate but it sure is adventure accurate.

[rbxb]

My goat G&B Expedition is still going strong after 21 years of regular use. I absolutely love it. Goat may not be screen accurate but it sure is adventure accurate.

THERE IT IS!!!

[Michaelson]

Did I just witness a ‘The_Edge’ sighting?

Regards! M

[rbxb]

My goat G&B Expedition is still going strong after 21 years of regular use. I absolutely love it. Goat may not be screen accurate but it sure is adventure accurate.

post some pics of your G&B

[sam]

Over in the Indy 5 section, in the jacket thread, there has been some recent discussion about what the DOD jacket leather really is. There has been some speculation that it may be calfskin or even goatskin! If it is goatskin, this would be a first in Indy history!

[Michaelson]

Operative word, ‘speculation’.

Regards! M

[sam]

Operative word, ‘speculation’.

Regards! M

Yes, operative word indeed! There is still a very good chance it is some kind of lambskin. The recent comments in the Indy 5 section’s jacket thread were very helpful, specifically the quote from Joanna Johnson, though she did not specifically name the hide.

[Michaelson]

Yeah, she was pretty vague.

Regards! M

[OldGringo]

I just saw the movie....seems like thin cowhide.....or most like treated lamb...thicker hide...just speculation.....But does not look like goat....unless they belt sanded it down before dying it.....lol...but I do love that line...lamb for show ...goat for go...very clever and true....quess that's why the US Navy has always used goat skin on there flight gear.....from way back.....