Club Obi Wan

Last week I think it was, I talked to a guy on the phone who ordered 5 hats from me. He wants me to style them like the hats he has seen on the Indy 4 spoilers. Then he tells me he has two of the Raiders fedoras, the film hats, or exact copies perhaps, from that era.(he worked in film back in the Indy films era) He used to have more but I think he wore some of them out over the years. But, if I understood him correctly he still has two of the original hats. Anyways, he mentioned something to me that came out of left field. He said that it was rumored at one time, that Akubra somehow ended up with the original Raiders blocks. Now, have any of the old timers here ever heard this one? Michaelson? I know that it came as a total surprise to me. I just keep thinking of Deborah's remark about "there Australian model" on the bonus dvd interview. Fedora

I wonder do they still use it today? Say's Made in Australia right in this brand new Fed sitting on my lap.

Fedora wrote:Last week I think it was, I talked to a guy on the phone who ordered 5 hats from me. He wants me to style them like the hats he has seen on the Indy 4 spoilers. Then he tells me he has two of the Raiders fedoras, the film hats, or exact copies perhaps, from that era.(he worked in film back in the Indy films era) He used to have more but I think he wore some of them out over the years. But, if I understood him correctly he still has two of the original hats. Anyways, he mentioned something to me that came out of left field. He said that it was rumored at one time, that Akubra somehow ended up with the original Raiders blocks. Now, have any of the old timers here ever heard this one? Michaelson? I know that it came as a total surprise to me. I just keep thinking of Deborah's remark about "there Australian model" on the bonus dvd interview. Fedora

I did read a theory once, perhaps on one of the threads here, that the original Raiders hat may have been an Akubra supplied to Herbert Johnson, but I can't remember where I saw it or too many of the details.
I think it was just musing based on the Nadoolman quote about the hat being an "Australian" model.

Jack

wonder do they still use it today? Say's Made in Australia right in this brand new Fed sitting on my lap.

The Fed is a little off in block shape. But, a few years ago, someone posted a pic of inside the Akubra factory, and there was one that showed a shelf containing old wood blocks. Pyro mentioned at the time that one of those sure looked interesting, and he was right. It sure looked what I imagine the Raiders block would have looked like. I wish someone had that old pic. I lost mine in a pc crash. But I remember how great that block looked, and several of us wondered what a hat off of that block would look like. It was a barrel of a block, with a med dome. Perfect to several of us at the time. Fedora

Interesting. I wonder does anyone hear know someone in Akurba that can take a look at the block and take pics. Maybe they could get them to make the Federation with this block. Or at least give us the measurements of it. (I know i'm such a newb at all this )

Anybody else always think of it as kind of weird when Nadoolman mentions the "australian model"? When I think of an australian hat, I typically think low crown wide brim, not high crown at all (with few exceptions)...

-Daryl

Kentucky Blues wrote:Anybody else always think of it as kind of weird when Nadoolman mentions the "australian model"? When I think of an australian hat, I typically think low crown wide brim, not high crown at all (with few exceptions)...

-Daryl

I find all of the confusion and the myriad theories about the origins of the Raiders hat pretty weird. Just when you think you have it all nailed down, another complication like this turns up. But it is fascinating...

Jack

Steve, I think I know what happened. PM me if you can, or call me if you have my number.

I think this might have to do with an April Fools prank that dates back to 2002 or 2003, that I let get out of control.

viewtopic.php?t=23626

More fuel for this fire?

Regard! Michaelson

Kentucky Blues wrote:Anybody else always think of it as kind of weird when Nadoolman mentions the "australian model"? When I think of an australian hat, I typically think low crown wide brim, not high crown at all (with few exceptions)...

I can recall a picture of my grandfather in the Australian outback in the 20's with a high crown hat. I don't know if my mother still has the picture, I can ask.

In fact, I was also watching that interview on the plane on the way back from London and when she says "Australian model" for some reason it makes sense to me.

I think Indy's outfit is a mix of Australian stockman (hat, whip) and WWI soldier (boots, shirt, pants, gun).
(now I'm not saying this was a deliberate choice.....)

I just took a picture of some WWI soldier's boots that look very similar to the Aldens!