moviebuff5
Sr Member
I have been working on a bell bandolier for an Abhorsen costume for quite a while now and have finally finished.
I have tried to stay with the descriptions in the books rather than use the cover illustrations, but I did upgrade the silencing system for the bells since they are so problematic in the books. It also helps preserve the finish on the bells rather than having them rub against leather.
Since the bandolier is supposed to smell faintly of beeswax, all the leather has been waterproofed with melted beeswax.
The bells are in the opposite order they are usually illustrated for a few reasons:
Trying to cross-draw a sword with Astarael (the largest bell) low on the bandolier is very awkward.
Lirael has a pouch mounted below Ranna (the smallest bell) for the statuette of the disreputable dog. So, for a pouch to be below Ranna, it seemed Ranna needed to be lowest. If the pouch hung directly below Ranna it could be in the way of drawing or replacing the bell.
Also, having Astarael lowest, it kept shifting the bandolier behind me.
I did make the mounting system reversible so i can change the order of the pouches at a later date if I want to.
Finished bandolier
Bell pouch showing strap for bandolier.
Bells with mahogany handles
Pouch interior lined with sheepskin and with sheepskin tongue to silence bells.
Bandolier without pouches, straps being molded.
More components will be added as I get them.
Next up will probably be the Surcoat, if I ever find a fabric I like.
I have tried to stay with the descriptions in the books rather than use the cover illustrations, but I did upgrade the silencing system for the bells since they are so problematic in the books. It also helps preserve the finish on the bells rather than having them rub against leather.
Since the bandolier is supposed to smell faintly of beeswax, all the leather has been waterproofed with melted beeswax.
The bells are in the opposite order they are usually illustrated for a few reasons:
Trying to cross-draw a sword with Astarael (the largest bell) low on the bandolier is very awkward.
Lirael has a pouch mounted below Ranna (the smallest bell) for the statuette of the disreputable dog. So, for a pouch to be below Ranna, it seemed Ranna needed to be lowest. If the pouch hung directly below Ranna it could be in the way of drawing or replacing the bell.
Also, having Astarael lowest, it kept shifting the bandolier behind me.
I did make the mounting system reversible so i can change the order of the pouches at a later date if I want to.
Finished bandolier
Bell pouch showing strap for bandolier.
Bells with mahogany handles
Pouch interior lined with sheepskin and with sheepskin tongue to silence bells.
Bandolier without pouches, straps being molded.
More components will be added as I get them.
Next up will probably be the Surcoat, if I ever find a fabric I like.
