Club Obi Wan

Nice work, Mate!
But I thought Endicott's had exhausted their entire supply of MK VII's.

webhead73 wrote:By the way, the shipping was fast and the service was remarkable! Some of the businesses here in the "colonies" could learn a thing or two from Endicotts!

Oh , I see you're another New Jersian. Businesses her **** big time. They want to give a quarter effort and get a million dollars for it.

I've washed both of mine on a gentle/cool cycle in the washing machine. The MKVII markings are still there. All musty smell eradicated (maybe use a colour safe detergent). It does highlight the edges a little, like you get on washed denim. YMMV.

EDIT: Actually I tell a lie, I washed my first bag on hot because it was so dirty and stained. Came through fine, some of the stains still there and it did not shrink, but again washer beware!

webhead73 wrote:and hang to dry to avoid shrinkage.

Actually, I'd recomend burrying it in sand or dirt in the heat.

How much was that Endicott's bag? I've never heard of them.. got a link or something? The web strap and metal parts are in nice shape?

Doug C

Doug C wrote:How much was that Endicott's bag? I've never heard of them.. got a link or something? The web strap and metal parts are in nice shape?

Doug C

Here's the thread you'll have to do a bit of reading.

Their site says sold out, though may be worth checking.

A lot of folks including me, washed bags in OxyClean with good results.

Just as a suggestion, you might want to hold onto it in perfect mint condition. Those MKV II bags can be rare, especially in un-issued condition.

To beat up/dirty up an "MKV II bag," you may want to buy a reproduction MKV II bag from Todd's costumes or What Price Glory. You can keep the original in great condition as a collector's item (just in case it increases in value) and run around in the reproduction bag. The value will never go up w/ that bag because it's just a reproduction.

I have an original MKV II bag, in great condition, that I keep as a collector's item, but thrash round' the reproduction. They work just as good, are identical to the originals, and can take some abuse.

Just a suggestion,
Captain D

Captain D,

Great suggestion, I do the same thing.

I don't understand being precious about mk vii bags,what is the point of buying an original bag and shoveing it in a cupboard at home just because 'it might go up in value in a few years'?-big deal.You didn't buy it just to look at did you?These bags were meant to be USED...it's Indy gear for goodness sake!-they're meant to be bashed,beaten up and abused(and the more bashed the better I say), not sitting on a shelf gathering dust.Personally I love the look,smell and feel of my original bag and I don't care how good a repro is-it's still only a reproduction.When I wear my bag it feels good to KNOW that I am wearing an original-and actually USING it not just displaying it on a dummy(and I haven't been scared to take out the divider to make more room inside).I'll wear my bag until it falls apart and then, you know what?, I'll just get another one,millions of these bags were made after all.USE and enjoy your bag,Webhead, and alter it if you want to without feeling guilty,life's too short-keep your FAKE in the cupboard as a spare!

Well well... aren't we feeling like burning down the rainforests

Since we are all giving our opinions, I've never really understood the idea of buying dirt, smearing it all over your bag, pulling out a few seams and then using it, or even worse setting it up on a mannequin. Just use the thing, and it will become naturally distressed over time. I have a pair of Indy-style gloves that I have worn working in tobacco, weedeating, sorting tractor parts for a junkyard company, and all other odds and ends. Now, those gloves look just like Indy's. And I bought them brand new. I've always just abused stuff, and I get good use out of it and it looks pretty good too.

2 cents.

CairoIndy,

I'll tell you about being "precious" about Mk VII bags. I have two. One is an unissued bag that is in mint, just like new condition. The other is an issued bag that is in perfect shape. These bags are becoming more rare and harder to find.

Thanks to Swindiana, I not only know the soldier that my issued bag was issued to and his serial number, but I know part of "his-story". I know that he parachuted into France under heavy German fire, and his unit captured a German radar station. They stole the items that they were looking for and photographed the rest. They then fought their way to the coast to be picked up by the navy. This mission enabled the British to find out exactly what the state of the art in German radar was at that time. He must have done a good job, because he didn't let the Nazis shoot any holes in my Mk VII bag.

Quite frankly, I don't think that bag can be replaced as there is only one bag like that.

I do use my original bags for special occasions and Indy summits and such. But, I try to limit the wear and tear that they receive.

What I use on a regular basis is a WPG bag that was distressed by Todd at Todd's costumes. He doesn't sell distressed bags but posted a tutorial on how to distress the WPG bag. Since this bag came from Todd, I assume it was the one that he photographed when making the tutorial.

So, you call this one a "fake". I am telling you, that it looks so much like my issued, original bag, that I have to be real careful when picking it out, so that I don't get the wrong one by mistake. I usually just look inside the flap and see if the soldier's name and serial number is there or not. I can't even tell them apart from across the room. If you saw me wearing it, you wouldn't know if it was "fake" or not.

Bufflehead,that is a great story and I can see how it definately makes that bag that much more special for you-but I can't see why that means it shouldn't be used on a daily basis(in fact I would have thought that you would want to wear it more BECAUSE of it's history?).If the bag survived all that,that just proves what tough little devils these bags are.Can I ask What are you 'saving'your original bags for exactly?are you a collector of militaria? or do you just plan to sell them and make a profit at some point in the future?.Personally I don't see the point of buying reproductions at all-not when the originals are still available and the price difference is still not that much...also I think,the mkvii bag is probably the closest bit of indy kit that we can get for authenticity,when you are wearing an authentic bag(especially with a Noel Howard strap)you know you are wearing the same gear that Indy wore-it couldn't BE more authentic,a reproduction is just NOT the same(no matter how closely it is copied).If we were talking about a painting being copied here instead of a WPG bag it wouldn't be out of place to use the word fake.

No, I am not a speculator. I don't buy Indy gear hoping that as it becomes more rare, I can sell for a profit. I only buy gear for my own pleasure. I have never sold a single piece of Indy gear, that I can remember. I have given some away.

By limiting the use of the original Mk VII bags, I am extending their useful life. They are becoming rarer and harder to find. Have you seen prices on ebay go well in excess of $100? I don't really plan on buying anymore of these bags for my collection. I am perfectly happy with what I have. If I used one of these bags on a daily basis, they would be trash in a year or two. Quite frankly, I want these two original bags to last the remainder of time that I have an Indy collection.

?...also,the mkvii bag is probably the closest bit of indy kit that we can get for authenticity,when you are wearing an authentic bag(especially with a Noel Howard strap)you know you are wearing the same gear that Indy wore-it couldn't BE more authentic,a reproduction is just NOT the same(no matter how closely it is copied),and a fake is a fake wether it's a painting or an Indy bag that's been copied.

I don't know, maybe it is just because I'm the owner of an HJ poet, a Wested, and a pair of Aldens, that I don't have to wear my original bags to get this feeling. I know I have all this stuff at home, wether I happen to be wearing any of it or not. I actually prefer my AB to the HJ, as it is a superior hat. It was not what they used in the films, but it is a better hat.

Bufflehead,you make some god points,the price of mkvii's ARE rising very quickly(aren't we partly responsible for this ourselves?)...my views on reproductions may well change in a few years when I am paying £150 to replace my bag!

Yeah, I think I paid either $11 or $18 for my first original bag, but that was before the sellers realized there was a demand for these bags from Indiana Jones fans. Can't buy it for that, now.

Guys,

Relax! There is no shortage of original Mk Vll bags here in the UK and prices are stable. You can still get a good, clean, unissued bag without a makers stamp or with an indistinct stamp for $18 - $20 and one with a clear, collectable stamp for $25 - $28.

Don't pay inflated prices - Kevin Endicott has shown the way. When he has none left there will still be other sources.

Alan

Thanks for the info, Alan. That may explain why I have a different perspective on the bags than CairoIndy, since he is over there. I know some folks have paid some big bucks over here for one of those bags in mint condition.

It was refreshing to see Endicotts sell as many bags as they did, all the while, not gouging the customers for all that the market will bear. That is a rare occurrence these days.

Webhead,

I wouldn't bet on it. Never underestimate Kevin's resourcefulness...

Alan

webhead73 wrote:Alan, next time I am in the market for a bag...I'll give you a ring. Looks like Endicotts supply is drying up for now.

Shoot Kevin an email.

That's all I'm going to say.

Hello everyone. First time, long time! I actually received an unissued W&G 1941 bag from Kevin today. Even though the COW supply has run out, he still has his normal supply ready.

Alan is 100% right. Here in the UK these bags are not rare, although you don't just fall over them either.

Went to one of the big militaria shows for the third year running just this month & my supplier came through yet again with yet another mint unissued MKVII bag, making it the third one I have had from him in this condition. This one was £20. The first one was either £10 or £15. I'll post pics when I get a chance to take them

& Soldier of Fortune had loads of unissued ones for sale on their stand, although £30 is a bit of a steep price.

Honestly, I've seen so many mint unissued MKVII bags now I'd swear someone was still making these in a time warp stuck factory somewhere!

Buff's bag is a bit unique, but I'm of the use, enjoy & naturally distress brigade on this. I have too many other movie props I baby & hide in closets, which was why I got into Indy Gear in the first place, so I could have cool usable travel gear!

That said, although the bag is tough as nails, the stitching on my first bag has worn away in some places from being dragged round China & Mongolia for six weeks & I need to do some running repairs. So keep an eye on the cotton stitching, as being nearly 70 year old it's not bomb proof!

Look at this as evidence - a W&G with the mask and can for $27.50 recently finished on EBay.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1940-Dated-Gas-Ma ... dZViewItem

EDIT BY MOD: eBay auction is ended, so this is okay. Otherwise eBay auction links not allowed.

Webhead, did you replace the Magnoli strap with the TAPCO one?

Great bags man!

webhead73 wrote:
KT, check out my post with comparison pics of the two bags.

Also, to answer your question about fabric, yes they are different. The MK VII is heavier and more rough while the Magnoli has more of a broken in feel that makes it more comfortable to wear. I use the Magnoli every day with heavy books in it and have no problems. It is a solid bag that can take some abuse.

Ah, brilliant pics! Thanks for posting.

Well it's a good side by side comparison, the fabric seems lighter in weight than the original. The bag has less body and is not so able to keep it's shape.

Metalwork looks good but the side rings are half the gauge of the original and way to shiny. The disc seems to "hang" off too much but that could be due to the floppiness of the cloth.

The position of the snap seems to be off somehow.

And the stiching is also much thinner. Originals have much more rugged looking thread.

It's about the same price as a mint original over here so I still vote for that, this still looks like a facsimile to me. Not rugged enough.

The Mag wins against the WPG in price, colour seems a little brown. If it resists shrinking, in the way that the the WPG doesn't, then it probably edges it. The WPG seems a closer copy though.

Guys,

Anyone wishing to 'uprate' a replica MkVll bag or repair an original with original type Newey snaps may be interested to know that near-perfect reproductions are available from Soldier of Fortune in the UK.

Also, an identical spool (metal disc) was used on post-war bags up to the 1958 pattern, which are common and can be had for $3-$5 dollars (yes, Kevin has them).
Both can increase the value of a bag considerably.

Alan