The Bandoliers
The ILM Screen-used Bandoliers were actually World War 2 Enfield .308 ammo bandoliers used by the Allied forces. You can purchase these online/offline at various Army-Navy Supply stores for about $50.00 each. What we show you below is how to make some decent looking replicas for about $10.00 USA. It all depends
First we need to make the pouches out of Vinyl or leather... which ever you prefer. We made ours out of vinyl and our pattern template looked like this.
With the pattern cut out we folded the two side flaps to the back of the pouch and sewed them together down their connecting seam.
Take the bottom flap of the template and tuck it "under and behind". This will become the back of the pouch and the front flap. Sew the back of the pouch to the top of the two side flaps you previously sewed together. Leave the sides of the back open so that the bandolier belt can slide through.
Fold over the front flap and cut two small slits in the front of the pouch to slip the flap tab through. Repeat the previous steps for all the pouches you need to make.
With the pouches all finished you will want to make the bandolier belt. We just took a 45 inch (114 cm) piece of vinyl and sewed it together like in the picture . Sew the belt together inside-out and then turn it outside-in once the seam is sewn. Iron the vinyl flat if you are having trouble with the vinyl billowing up. Use a piece of cloth between the vinyl and hot iron when you iron.
Slip on the bandoliers and position them as you want them to stay. Now rivet the belt ends to themselves. You can distress the vinyl and leather with a little flat black spray paint and some sandpaper to give it that weathered look. Voila! The bandoliers are finished.
Picts of our Bandoliers.
Image of the back side of an actual 1908 Enfield Bandolier. Notice the 4 rivets used to secure each leather pouch onto the main strap. Also notice how the strap is made with the center cut out. We think this allowed for the bandolier to conform to the wearers body more ergonomically.
-end bandoliers