Question of the Unknown Lable - Now solved...

Posted by Max Schulte from proxy5.cityweb.de on June 01, 1998 at 22:55:32:

In Reply to: Re: Indiana Jones and the Fate of the Unknown Lable... posted by Dan Borton on June 01, 1998 at 22:14:19:

: : : : Gentlemen, I've always found the W & G 1932 stamping very interesting. I wish I could remember the name of the company that W & G stands for, because I have one of their catalogs at my house as I write this and can't remember the company. They have been a competetor of Abercrombie and Fitch for years, well, since the late 1800's in adventurer gear. W & G still exists, and has had such customers as Teddy Roosevelt, Amundson, Hemingway, and all the great explorers and adventurers that the 20th century has ever created. Would the mark VII bag be one of their original designs from 1932, adapted by the British as a gas mask design for their military? Might explain the dual dates on your satchels, with the W & G listing. I'll try and get their name tonight. I believe the "G" is Greer, but I'm not sure. Regards. Michaelson

: : : Michaelson, from your description you seem to be reffering to the
: : : company Willis & Geiger? At least I know that Hemmingway was customer
: : : of them. However, I think they mean another firm. I recently saw the
: : : name of an English firm in a catalogue as well but I can't remember
: : : it. Willis & Geiger is an American firm, is it? Damn, I can't remember
: : : that $§#&% name...
: : : I think the date 1932 reffers to the FIRST version of the bag or the
: : : date the firm was founded.

: : : Regards,
: : : -Max

: : Yes, THAT'S the name of that company. You've solved my brain lapse. Yes, they are an American company, and have been connected with military clothing and gear for years. They created the A-2 and A-1 original flight jackets, that they still sell. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they may be the W & G, but then not much surprises me anymore......Regards. Michaelson

: Max, Michaelson, No kidding that is really interesting. I had no Idea that the bags could be one of Willis & Geiger’s products. I wonder what the story is with the J.H & Co.(W) LTD Mark VII bags, they are basically Identical in design.

: Dan

OK, here is my theory: I think W&G was an important supplier for the
US Army during WWII and J.H&Co was the main supplier for the British
Armed Forces. Maybe during the War W&G 'helped' the British Army by
shared production of weapons and equiptment. Some Colt 1911s were made
in .455 British and I'm quite sure other British equiptment was also
partially produced in America and then exportet. That also explains
why you'll find a Willis & Geiger bag at an English military surplus
store.

Thanks for the posts regarding the Mark Allen whips, Dan and Michaelson.
I'll order a catalogue and email Mr. Allen asking him if he has or if
he can make an authentic reproduction of the Indy whip holster.

Regards,
-Max

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: : : : : Gentlemen, I've always found the W & G 1932 stamping very interesting. I wish I could remember the name of the company that W & G stands for, because I have one of their catalogs at my house as I write this and can't remember the company. They have been a competetor of Abercrombie and Fitch for years, well, since the late 1800's in adventurer gear. W & G still exists, and has had such customers as Teddy Roosevelt, Amundson, Hemingway, and all the great explorers and adventurers that the 20th century has ever created. Would the mark VII bag be one of their original designs from 1932, adapted by the British as a gas mask design for their military? Might explain the dual dates on your satchels, with the W & G listing. I'll try and get their name tonight. I believe the "G" is Greer, but I'm not sure. Regards. Michaelson

: : : : Michaelson, from your description you seem to be reffering to the 
: : : : company Willis & Geiger? At least I know that Hemmingway was customer 
: : : : of them. However, I think they mean another firm. I recently saw the
: : : : name of an English firm in a catalogue as well but I can't remember
: : : : it. Willis & Geiger is an American firm, is it? Damn, I can't remember
: : : : that $§#&% name...
: : : : I think the date 1932 reffers to the FIRST version of the bag or the 
: : : : date the firm was founded.

: : : : Regards,
: : : : -Max

: : : Yes, THAT'S the name of that company. You've solved my brain lapse. Yes, they are an American company, and have been connected with military clothing and gear for years. They created the A-2 and A-1 original flight jackets, that they still sell. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they may be the W & G, but then not much surprises me anymore......Regards. Michaelson

: : Max, Michaelson, No kidding that is really interesting.  I had no Idea that the bags could be one of Willis & Geiger’s products. I wonder what the story is with the J.H & Co.(W) LTD Mark VII bags, they are  basically Identical in design.

: : Dan

: OK, here is my theory:  I think W&G was an important supplier for the
: US Army during WWII and J.H&Co was the main supplier for the British
: Armed Forces. Maybe during the War W&G 'helped' the British Army by 
: shared production of weapons and equiptment. Some Colt 1911s were made
: in .455 British and I'm quite sure other British equiptment was also
: partially produced in America and then exportet. That also explains 
: why you'll find a Willis & Geiger bag at an English military surplus
: store.

: Thanks for the posts regarding the Mark Allen whips, Dan and Michaelson.
: I'll order a catalogue and email Mr. Allen asking him if he has or if
: he can make an authentic reproduction of the Indy whip holster.

: Regards,
: -Max

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