File:Reproduction Mk VII Gas Mask Bag -11.jpg

English: Brass fittings detail -- post-distressing.

This is a "post-distressing" photo of a Hong Kong manufactured reproduction of a Second World War era Mk VII Gas Mask Bag. Ya gotta wonder, why would anybody want to make copies of a military issue gas mask bag? Because it makes a stylish purse, obviously!

Actually, the bag carried by film character Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark and the three subsequent films is a Mk VII Gas Mask Bag, or a close approximation of one. The "Indy connection" renders this style bag a "must have" among adventure gear fanatics.

Although advertised on a well-known online auction site as "made to appear old," the bag as purchased looked a little too new for my taste (see the new bag here), so I elected to "distress" it. That is, I set out to ruin it, but without actually, you know, ruining it.

I soaked the bag for a few days in water & bleach, in salt water, and in mud, then let it hang outside in the rain for a couple more days. This is the result: not much happened!

The most obvious effect is a light coating of rust on the metal parts. The metal looks like brass, but the rust indicates otherwise. The "brass" vents, snaps, buckles, and rings all show signs of rust, indicating the brass finish is merely a thin surface coating. Fortunately, I like the look of the rusted brass!

The fabric lost very little color. I was hoping for a more faded look after soaking in bleach. I was also hoping it would pick up a reddish tint after soaking in muddy seawater. The "nap" of the fabric seems to have raised a tiny bit, giving the cloth a very slight "worn" appearance. Formerly very smooth, as though it had been pressed, the cloth is now somewhat wrinkled, as though it's been banged around a bit.

The faux-leather (plastic) strap is none the worse for wear after having the ends soak in various pails of toxic goo, other than showing a bit of rust on the buckles and rivets.

While not as dramatically effective as I was hoping for, the effect of my "distressing" effort, while understated, gives this little satchel a hint of worldly charm.