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Gear Section
The Indiana Jones Shoulder Bag

One of the lesser known but more useful items carried by Indiana Jones was his shoulder bag. It consisted of a WWII "MkVII" British Gas Mask Bag with the cotton webbing strap replaced by a leather strap and metal buckle.


MkVII British Gas Mask Bag
Issued to British troops and civilians during WWII as a precaution against a German gas attack (no, not from eating too much sauerkraut), the MkVII Gas Mask Bag was a common site in the British Isles during the war, and you will see it often in pictures of "The Blitz." Like many of the items seen in the Indiana Jones movies, this bag did not exist at the time the movies were supposed to take place. (What did exist in 1936 was the MkV Gas Mask Bag, which is very similar). It was probably picked up at a surplus store in London.

Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge



There seems to be many different variations of the now famous MKVII bag. In an effort to clarify for the collector, this page includes a list of known bag variations, together with photos and details which will help identify them. The list also includes various MKVI models as well. These are commonly used and also mistaken by collectors.

If you have further entries/information/photos, please send them to: info@indygear.com

Unfortunately, with the ever increasing demand for these bags, comes an inevitable decrease in availability. As an authentic piece of militaria, the MKVIIs in particular are becoming scarce. The following vendors are still known to carry them: Noel Howard/MBA Costumes, Sentimental Journey, and The Roadster Factory, What Price Glory.

 


The MKVII Gas Mask Bag Measurements

Height

Almost 10"

Width

10 1/2"

Depth

3"

Flap Length

6"


Leather Strap Measurements
Width
 1"
Length
 65"

 

Model
Manufacturer

Identification & Details

Images (click to enlarge)
MKVII   Green fabric; two brass snap closure; two brass vent holes (underside); nickel 'O' ring strap holders  
 

Waring & Gilbow Ltd.

 

Positively identified as one of the versions used in the films.
Designated by initials W&G, 1932 Ltd.

Production years: 1940-1943. Made respirator haversacks, as well as sundry other military supplies such as stuffable 'field beds'. W&G made most of their items from linen, rather than canvas.

For more information/clarification, please check the Bag FAQ.
MkVII detail
MkVII whole
MkVII inside MkVII drainage holes
Images below courtesy of Seamus
MkVII from Sentimental Journey
MkVII with leather strap from Noel Howard
MkVII with leather strap from Noel Howard_alt
MkVII with original full length webbing strap
Side view of all three MkVII bags
  C. M. Co.

Canadian Motorlamp Co.
Production years known: 1941.

Bag shown was purchased from
Noel Howard.

MkVII canadian Motorlamp Co
  R.D. & Co.

Company unknown.
Production years known: 1941.

 
MkVII R.D. & Co. from Noel Howard whole bag MkVII R.D. & Co. from Noel Howard angle
MkVII R.D. & Co. from Noel Howard inner flap designation MkVII R.D. & Co. from Noel Howard inner flap designation close up
MkVII R. D. & Co. from Noel Howard flap with dimmer can MkVII R. D. & Co. from Noel Howard drainage holes
MkVII R. D. & Co. from Noel Howard rear view
  W.E.&S. Ltd

Whiteley's Equipment and Supply Ltd.

Production years known: 1942.

The bag was purchased at a local army surplus store in Vancouver BC, Canada.
W.E.&S. Ltd. version markings
 W.E.&S. Ltd. version front view
W.E.&S. Ltd. version underside drainage holes

Pictures Courtesy of Mike Coutts
  M. & Co. Available in khaki.
Company unknown.
Production years known: 1941.		  
  J. & A.H. Company unknown.
Production years known: 1942.		  
  R.M.A. Company unknown.
Production years known: 1943.		  
  O.B.C.L. Company unknown.
Production years known: 1943.		  
  PSC Company unknown.
Production years known: 1941.		  
  H. & Sons Company unknown.
Production years known: 1942.		  
  Woods Company believed to be Canadian.
Production years known: 1941, 1943.		  
  G.M.H. & Co.

General Motors Holden And Company.
Austrailian Make.
Production years known: 1941..

  
  M.C.& Co. Mulders Canvas & Co.
Austrailian Make
Mulders is a saddlery and tack shop that is still going strong.
Production years known: 1941-1942.		  
  G. & S. Ltd. Company unknown.
Production years known: 1941.		  
  Markings Unknown

The Myers Store for Men.
Austrailian Make.
Also produced respirator bags (also a private purchase item, made from a more linen-like fabric).

  
  Markings Unknown Louis Epstein Ltd.
Australian Make.
Used to be a military tailor and it's possible the bags they made were a private purchase item.		  
MKVI   Green and tan fabric; two flaps; in some cases, two brass snap closure; single and triple brass vent hole (underside); brass 'D' ring strap holders. Many of these are Canadian issue, designated by the Canadian Ordnance mark (an arrow within a C).  
  W&G Designated by initials W&G, 1932 Ltd.
Production years: 1942.		  
  H & Sons Company unknown
Production years known: 1941		  
  Woods Company unknown - Canadian issue (usually indicated by yellow/mustard coloration).
Single underside drainage hole.
Production years known: 1941.
MkVI Woods interior
MkVI Woods back
MkVI Woods inner flap

 

Leather Strap

Diagram of the Strap Design/Construction:

MkVII Strap Attachment

 

The bag was originally issued with a webbing strap. This was replaced in the movies with a leather belt and buckle.

Original webbing strap
The original webbing strap

 

The original leather shoulder bag strap buckle was silver in a square shape. A roller buckle was used in Temple of Doom, and it appears that this same buckle was used in Raiders, minus the roller.

The strap below was purchased from the now defunct Borden's Leather.

Borden's Leather strap

 

Below: the leather strap from Noel Howard.
(Picture courtesy of Matt Walker)

Noel Howard bag

 

Below: pictures of current Noel Howard buckle & strap (click to enlarge).

Noel Howard buckle and strap1
Noel Howard buckle and strap2
Noel Howard buckle and strap3

 

What Price Glory version

What Price Glory are currently offering the MkVII bag, pictured below (click to enlarge):

What Price Glory MkVII bag

 

For further information please consult the Bag FAQ.

 


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