Indiana Jones - Raiders of the Lost Ark

This is my Indiana Jones build. I started it in 2006 to use as a display in my future home theater. I ended up using it as a display piece, a ComicCon excuse, and for charities around Halloween time.

Like many costumes, it's not complete--I still want to put a David Morgan whip in the mix--but it's 99% at this time. It cost me roughly $1500 to put together.

I'll repost more current pictures this year around halloween time...











Cheers!

gman71

Outstanding Indy costume, the colors look spot-on. Nice touch with the weathering on the hat and the gloves.

Thanks for your comments; that was a very cool thing for you to say. Here are my gear origins:

Hat - Herbert Johnson Poet, size 59 bought in 2007, reblocked by Penman in 2010 to 23 1/32" on a Steve Delk block if I'm not mistaken
Face (seriously) - I have lighter hair--used brown kiwi shoe polish to darken my eyebrows and sideburns and to darken up my whiskers. I was worried about skin irritation from it, but there was none, and I my skin breathed just fine.
Scar - I took a small piece of toilet paper, dipped it in rubber cement, rolled it, then flattened it, cut it to size, applied skin colored lipstick to it, tacked it on (loosely at best) with a generous amount of spirit glue, then put some of my wifes' powder foundation (I think it's called) to blen it in. ...I put it on the wrong side that time--I'll do better this year.
Shirt - Unaltered Noel Howard (XL). I'm looking for a Medium Noel Howard to swap it out for, if anyone's got on in like-new condition like mine is.
Jacket - Wested ROTLA special bought in 2007 - soaked, sun dried in a ball, and strategically sand-papered and protected with pecards leather oil and BROWN leather dressing
Pants - Todd's in 33/34
Shoes - Aldens 405s, size 10, bought in 2007 - worn daily, laced up to the second-to-top eyelets, protected by Pecards oil and darkened with 4 year's worth of BROWN pecards leather dressing
Socks - Black calf height military socks bought at a military clothing store
Bag - Original vintage 1947 Mark VII bag purchased from What Price Glory in 2007
Bag Strap - WWII HK-G3 strap purchased from cheaperthandirt.com. It is actually two straps sewn together behind the buckle loop in order to accomodate my 6'1 height and keep the buckle where I want it on my chest. UPDATE: I have a Wade Egan strap I just received last week that I'll be replacing this strap with.
Belt - Western Stage Props with leather keeper removed/stored, and protected with pecards leather oil and BROWN leather dressing. UPDATE: I have a Wade Egan strap I just received last week that I'll be replacing this belt and my whip holder with.
Whip Holder - Non-moveable, self-made/installed out of excess leather from WWII HK-G3 strap and leather hardware purchased from Michael's craft store
Whip - Cowhide 10' Indiana Jones style purchased in 2007, natural tan darkened with age and limited use. I won't advertise the maker because the whip has become perhaps overly loose with very little use over time and I don't want to point a finger--it wasn't terribly expensive and it has served its purpose well.
Holster - Todd's Costumes bought in 2007, distressed with sandpaper and protected with pecards leather oil and BROWN leather dressing
Gun - (Not Pictured) Western Stage Props resin replica bought in 2007, distressed with sandpaper--It's very light and I'd appreciate some advice on the best way to put some weight to it before Halloween!
Gloves (Not pictured) - 1980's Wells Lamont, size M I believe, naturally distressed/aged with oil, dirt and black caulk from a househould project--I don't remember the source on these.

For the purpose of making it look "adventured," I--believe it or not--throw it ALL in a very large trash bag, sprinkle a shot or two of Fullers in to the bag and shake vigorously. I do this two or three times and it looks like I just stepped out of a temple. It all cleans up quite well afterwards--even the felt hat.

Cheers,

Gman71

gman71 said:

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For the purpose of making it look "adventured," I--believe it or not--throw it ALL in a very large trash bag, sprinkle a shot or two of Fullers in to the bag and shake vigorously. I do this two or three times and it looks like I just stepped out of a temple. It all cleans up quite well afterwards--even the felt hat.

Cheers,

Gman71

LOL. Very creative. Though I don't know that I would clean it... hang it up with temple dust and all, lol. Fantasic likeness!

Well done! Bravo on the distressing and the overall look!

WWOWW!! You got it DEAD ON!! Great job!!

Outstanding outfit man! (And it looks great on you too. I agree with the previous poster as well...you could easily pass for a stunt double.) Thanks for sharing the details of the individual items as well. Very informative. Kudos my friend!

Exciting Update (possibly exciting for me only, I'll admit...). I just picked up a 1983 David Morgan 10' whip--the original whipmaker for the whips used in Raiders of the Lost Ark--to replace the inexpensive cowhide one I was using. I'm very excited to have found a vintage whip in great condition!

Gman71

You're right. That is an exciting update! I for one would love to see some pictures of your new bullwhip after you actually have it in your possession. It's pretty rare to find one from the early 1980s'. I myself have a 10ft. David Morgan that I purchased new from him in March 2005, (before he retired from making them himself), and it's one of my most prized prop replicas. I envy you your new find. Congrats man.

(Click on Pictures to Enlarge.)

Wow, that looks great. You've got Ford's posture down perfectly, and the outfit sits on you just like it did on him. You even look quite a bit like a young Ford. Great work!

This is my updated Indiana Jones Costume. The belts, straps, whip and shirt have been changed since last year's photos. The pictures were taken at a "Boo in the Zoo" event here in Colorado Springs, CO.











Item Descriptions Follow:


* Hat - Herbert Johnson (England) blocked by Steve Delk of "The Raiders of the Lost Ark" fame

* Jacket - Wested (England) ROTLA Special

* Shirt - Azuma's Raiders of the Lost Ark Replica (limited run of 23 shirts)

* Pants - Todd's Costumes

* Boots - Alden Shoe Shop's (San Francisco) Model 405s (circa 2007)

* Bag Strap, Belt & Holster - Wade Egan

* Bag - Original 1942 MK VII British Gas Mask Bag

* Gun - Todd's Costumes (Tanaka) Smith & Wesson "Bapty" .455 Replica

* Whip - 10' "Indiana Jones" Bullwhip (Circa 1983) by David Morgan, who made the whips for the trilogy

* Scar on the Chin - Rubber Cement applied with toothpick, then patted down with two shades of foundation to remove the shine.


Cheers,

Amazing costume, very impressive! One of the most accurate Indy costumes I've seen.

Fantastic Indy costume, the weathering really adds to the look.
I love how you made the effort to get special military socks even though you can't see them - it's the little details like that which really make you feel the part.

That is pretty darn good mate!

Very cool looking! Any chance on seeing some close-up pictures of your new whip? She looks like a real beauty!

Thanks for the picture! It really is a beautiful whip. Congrats on such a great score man.

Great gear!

Love all of it especially the Herby!!

Great Costume gman71! I sent you an email and a couple of PMs, but no response from you as of yet.
Send me a PM or email as I have some questions about your HJ Poet fedora. Thanks!

As someone who has done Indy, I must say your gear looks great!

awesome work.

That is just fun. Now I want to go watch Raiders again... Great presentation.

This is really amazing!

Love that you even added the scar on the chin!