My list of where to get BEST quality Indy items

Hi,

I've tried different Indy shirts and wasn't happy at all with the material.

Unfortunalty I don't have a Wested or a NH shirt to compaire, but when I find a source that I'm happy with I usually stop getting the same items for other companies.

I had a shirt from Todd's which I returned immidiatly and an AB shirt, although the AB shirt was far superior to Todd's it still was not a 100 % cotton and made too much noise when I moved around.
I looked into actually just having my own shirts tailored ( which wouldn't have cost much more thant what I had payed to order some)

But took a chance on an XL shirt over a Mignoli's and was instantly happy with the color and material/weight/feel of the shirt.
So I ordered two more with a slight size adjustment and am waiting for them to come in.

The color is Stone, and probubly not dead on exact to the ctual shirt costume or any of the shirts worn in Temple, Crusade & Skull
but to my eyes it looks very close to the 'screen accurate' on the Raiders shirt.
The only other thing is that yes, the front pleats are sewn on as opposed to being part of the shirt but personally material makes a HUGE difference in wanting to wear the gear out as real clothing and not just as a costume.

And though I will most likely get my shirts from Magnoli from now on I cannot recommend the pants from either Magnoli or from L.L. Bean. I was again dissapointed from both but was very happy with the trousers from Wested.

Anyway, for anyone interested here is my personal opinion list on who makes the best-most authentic 'real world' durable items in the Indiana Jones style clothing:

1. Fedora: Adventurebilt (from either Steve or Marc, I have 2 from Steve)

2. Shirt: Magnoli CLothiers (real-world, great material 100 % cotton/ Stone color)

3. Pants: Wested (nice heavy fabric, calvery twill wool)

4. Bag Strap: Magnoli Clothiers (I'm really happy with the quality)

5. Original Mark VII (either Wested or eBay is where I got mine from)

6. Reproduction Mark VII: Magnoli again, perfect repro, stay away from Todd's - too small and snaps don'[t work)

7. Solid Brass Web Belts: Todd's will do, or anyone who supplies them, tough to get Web Belts wrong/ or any Army-Navy shop)

8. Wells Lamont Gloves: Todd's are okay, but I found that just going to Walmart (I was able to get Wells Lamont gloves for only $9.00 which are tough and are screen-accurate except for a palm guard which is a modern addition to the gloves.)

9. Knife: Todd's Costumes sells a GREAT Indy knife (really the knife and the Web Belts are the best things they sell in my opinion for real-world adventuring)

10. The Bullwhip: Joe Strain 8 ft Natural Tan 'Roo Hide (Can't really compaire as I only have one whip but I find Joe's is perfect, sturdy, the color and feel awesome and I found the 8 ft to be a more than perfect length for actual cracking/wraps/stunts)

11. Lucky Charm lighter: $40.00 at Amazon.com

13. Indy Boots: Alden 405 Indy Boot (where else) I've worn my Aldens in the snow here in Ohio and am going on a trip to England next week and plan on wearing them there as well. So far they hold up great and feel very comfortable.

(NOTE* to anyone who's interested, I contacted Aldens directly and they said for the same price as you would get them color-corrected from Marc, Aldens would do it themselves. That way you can keep the money inside the U.S. if you wanted to.
Although personally some day I want to do that, I do like the reddish color they are now. I just tones down the white thread with brown show polish)

14. Short Round's Yankees Cap: Lids.com (just $25.00)

15. Indy's Red/Green Mini Notebook as seen in the Staff of Ra laserbean scene: Magnoli Clothiers - $45.00

16. Holster: Adventurebilt (my AB Raiders style gun-holster is top-notch, excellent pre-distressed and colored/feels and fits perfectly. I'm VERY happy with it)

17. Gun Belt: Gery Deer - WhipArtistryStudio (they make all styles from all four films in rugged cowhide leather. Their Gun Belts also come with SA Whip Holders)

18. Whip Holders: Benjamin Scott - whipartist.com

(the WhipArtistryStudio holders are SA but not practical for actually carrying around and using your whip!
The holders used in the film I've read also slipped out regularly.
So I found this great guy, Benjamin Scott online and he makes superb whip holders that aren't SA but nonetheless do the job very well, and look great too!
So check out Benjamin Scott at Whipartist.com)

19. Pistol: Smith & Wesson 1917 Reissued Revolver 150188, Double Action 45:
You can find this gun available online at various vendors by typing in the above info.

(NOTE* for those who want to pay and to actually own a real gun Indy style this is the closest gun available that was used in Raiders.
The mussle is 5 inch instead of 4 inch and currently I do not own one myself but its on the list. But of course this is a real gun and any and all precautions should be taken. Either at a fireing range or other.)

20. Leather Jacket: Wested Leather Co.
(I have tow jackets myself, one is Washed Goat off the peg size 44 Reg, the other is a custom Authentic Brown Lambskin, size 44 Reg. Both are excellent. Look and fit great!)


Okay, that's it, those are my pics as the best place to order Indy items from that are rugged/durable and work well in the real world.

Thanks for reading.
Any opinions wellcomed.
Rich H.