Bandolier?

[toxo]

I came across a tin full of spent 17 Hornet cases and I thought if I can find the heads it might be interesting to put some around a hat or maybe make a bandolier. Does a bandolier have a "pattern" or just make it up? Might have some .223 around somewhere also.

[TonyV]

A bandolier is really nothing more than a belt with pouches or bullet loops on it.  Likely curved where it goes over the shoulder so that it lies flat.  I should think there are patterns out there, several on Etsy, but it shouldn't be too difficult to create your own pattern.  Start with paper and an idea, move on to a prototype, et voila, you're a bandolier maker.

When you say "heads", do you mean the projectiles?  Probably expensive in GB, but reloading bullets are available. Or if it' just for decorations, turn some on a wood or metal lathe.

It's crafting time!

[toxo]

51 minutes ago, TonyV said:

A bandolier is really nothing more than a belt with pouches or bullet loops on it.  Likely curved where it goes over the shoulder so that it lies flat.  I should think there are patterns out there, several on Etsy, but it shouldn't be too difficult to create your own pattern.  Start with paper and an idea, move on to a prototype, et voila, you're a bandolier maker.

When you say "heads", do you mean the projectiles?  Probably expensive in GB, but reloading bullets are available. Or if it' just for decorations, turn some on a wood or metal lathe.

It's crafting time!

It's that curve that has to be thought about. Shouldn't take much to work it out, just wondered if there was a "standard". I used to reload including reforming 22 Hornet cases sometimes. Still got the presses and dies somewhere so if I can find the heads it should be easy to set em.

[fredk]

A properly made gun-belt should have a curve in it. It might be just exaggerating that curve.

I have a/some Tandy Gun Leather pattern(s) which have the belts on it/them. And they are cut on the curve

Do you want copies of the patterns?

[Littlef]

FYI:  I would not use spent casings to make a bandolier. (Unless you are running them through a resizing die first.). The cases expand when they are fired.  The loops will be loose when carrying new ammo, if they were made from spent casings.  

[HandyDave]

Easiest way to make a bandolier for across the shoulder is cut straight strap the width you need it. Overlap the ends but at a 90 degree to each other. By doing this it creates a curve. The overlapped ends hang at the bottom. 

[chuck123wapati]

13 hours ago, toxo said:

It's that curve that has to be thought about. Shouldn't take much to work it out, just wondered if there was a "standard". I used to reload including reforming 22 Hornet cases sometimes. Still got the presses and dies somewhere so if I can find the heads it should be easy to set em.

if you have a well-worn belt the curve is there for you to copy.

[Dwight]

A bandolier is NOT cut like a belt curve.  A belt is made to go around your total round waist . . . the bandolier only needs a curve where it goes over the shoulder.

The easiest and least costly way is to make the shoulder curve . . . then lace the edges of it and the two straight pieces (front and back) . . . decorate the curve with appropriate stampings for the person or time period the bandolier would be used.

The straight pieces overlap at the bottom with a snap or a rivet.

May God bless,

Dwight

[toxo]

Thanks for the replies guys. Let me start by saying that this idea is just for cosplay/steampunk type use. Apart from anything else few over here could afford a bandolier full of 17 Hornet ammo. Not many own a 17 Hornet because our laws dictate that you have to have the land or permission to shoot land before you can have one and at around 3600fps there's not much land left that hasn't been carved up in one way or another that can take that range.

As you can see a normal belt size won't do it. After reading these replies I realise that they don't need straps and buckles etc. Just fix the bottom end however and throw it over the shoulder. If it looks good I'll do another to go over the other shoulder.

[fredk]

akin to the bandolier is a baldrick (no, not that one!) and I made a few of those. Simple straight cut belting with an over-lap join at the hip and a loop for the scabbard