Chewbacca Original Trilogy Bandoliers

Chewbacca wears an ammo belt and satchel during all of his appearances.

Reference Media

A gallery of reference photos, illustrations, videos, and other reference media of the original prop.

Bandolier "ANH"

This bandolier first appeared in the original Star Wars. It is simpler than later designs, has a medium-length concave taper at each end of the belt, and has the Solo gunbelt discs at both ends.

Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope

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Star Wars Behind the Scenes

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Star Wars Chronicles

Page 90

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Star Wars: Behind the Magic

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Bandolier "Stitches"

This bandolier first appeared in the Empire Strikes Back. It has stitching along the sides, has a short straight taper at each end, and has the metal speaker disc that that also appears on Han Solo's gunbelt.

Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

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Empire Behind the Scenes

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Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

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Dressing a Galaxy: The Costumes of Star Wars

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Bandolier "Cavalry"

This bandolier appears only in the Magic of Myth exhibit. It appears to be the "Stitches" bandolier, but with a British cavalry coat button in place of the Solo disc.

"The Magic of Myth" exhibit

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Bandolier "Spotlight"

This bandolier looks similar to the "ANH" bandolier, but has a longer, more curved taper, and no buttons or discs at either end. It's not clear if it ever appeared on screen or was just for publicity shots.

Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary

Pages 210 - 211

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Star Wars Costumes

Pages 45 - 47

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"Where Science Meets Imagination" exhibit

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Unknown Bandoliers

Several photos bandoliers that aren't clear enough to identify which one they are.

Unknown Sources

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The Star Wars Holiday Special

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Reference Information

A set of detailed notes researching the original prop.

Ammo Boxes

1. There are 10 large boxes on the bandolier, and 9 small boxes.
2. According to GuntahKela, the small boxes are the Hammond Manufacturing 1590A Die-Cast Aluminum Project Box. It is still available from Mouser Electronics. It's dimensions are:
   • Width: 92mm
   • Height: 38mm
   • Depth: 27mm
3. From the photos, it appears that the small boxes have the lid attached on the A New Hope bandolier, and are mounted with the lid attached to the leather strap. The bandoliers for Empire and Jedi do not have the lid attached.
4. The larger boxes have not been identified. They appear to be wider and taller than the small boxes but not as thick. They also have a lid that is larger than the box. The lid has a pop rivet in the center on each side. It is mounted with the face of the lid against the leather bandolier.
5. According to scaling work done by kurtyboy of the RPF, the large box dimensions are:
   • Box:
     • Width: 82mm
     • Height: 54mm
     • Depth: 26mm
   • Lid:
     • Width: 85mm
     • Height: 56mm
     • Depth: 5mm
6. The ammo boxes on the Star Wars In Concert bandolier are not accurate, and the bandolier is probably not screen used.

Bandolier Strap

1. The bandolier is always worn on the left shoulder, with the pouch resting on the upper right thigh.
2. The bandolier can be worn with the concho/discs in either front or back.

"ANH" bandolier

1. This bandolier has never been displayed as part of a traveling exhibit (as far as I know).
2. Using the small ammo boxes as a point of reference, GotWookiee has determined the dimensions:
   • Main strap:
     • Width: 82mm
     • Length: 1866mm
     • Distance from last ammo box to end: 140mm
     • Distance between ammo boxes: 38mm
     • Tapered ends:
       • Width at end: 39mm
       • Distance taper starts from end of bandolier: 52mm
       • Curve radius of taper: 5.85mm
     • End loop:
       • Length: 52mm
       • Width: 39mm
     • Silver snaps: (2)
       • Diameter: 16mm
       • Center distance from end of bandolier: 36mm
     • Silver discs (2):
       • Diameter: 32mm
       • Thickness:
       • Diameter of hole: 5mm
       • Center distance from end of bandolier: 76mm
   • Center strap:
     • Width:  19mm
     • Length: approx. 2760mm
     • Silver rivets (20):
       • Diameter: 6.5mm
     • Distance from end of strap to end of bandolier: 114mm
3. The discs are the same from Han Solo's ANH gunbelt. There is one on each of the bandolier.
4. It is a medium brown color; darker than the pouch.
5. The ends are capped by a long, concave taper.
6. There is a leather strap that secures the top of the bandolier to Peter’s neck to prevent it from slipping.
7. The ends of the bandolier are fastened with visible metal snaps or silver buttons.
8. A simple 1.5 inch metal ring attaches the pouch to the bandolier at each end.

"Stitches" bandolier

1. This bandolier was built for Empire, and was used during the Tatooine scenes in Return of the Jedi.
2. This has a silver disc on only one end of the bandolier. Is sometimes worn with the silver disc in back and sometimes in front.
3. Using the small ammo boxes as a point of reference, GotWookiee has determined the bandolier dimensions:
   • Main strap:
     • Width: 72mm
     • Length: 1862mm
     • Width of seam: 7mm
     • Distance from last ammo box to end: 138mm
     • Distance between ammo boxes: 38mm
     • Tapered ends:
       • Width at end: 26mm
       • Distance taper starts from end of the bandolier: 48mm
       • Angle of taper: 25 degrees
     • End loop:
       • Length: 48mm
       • Width: 26mm
     • Silver snaps (2)
       • Diameter: 16mm
       • Center distance from end of bandolier: 33mm
     • Silver concho:
       • Diameter: 28mm
       • Center distance from end of bandolier: 84mm
   • Center strap:
     • Width: 18mm
     • Length: approx. 2770mm
     • Silver rivets (20):
       • Diameter: 6.5mm
     • Distance from end of strap to end of bandolier: 113mm
4. It is a dark brown color; darker than the pouch.
5. A simple 1.5 inch metal ring attaches the pouch to the bandolier at each end.
6. There is a leather strap that secures the top of the bandolier to Peter’s neck to prevent it from slipping.

Pouch

1. The pouch is large, approximately 1’ wide by perhaps 8’ long. The flap covers almost the entire front of the pouch.
2. The flap is secured with a pair of belt-like fasteners.
3. The original trilogy pouch is made of heavily worn leather. There are several visible dark spot on the lower right hand corner.

Tutorials & Resources

Information about how to make or otherwise acquire your own replica prop. Tutorials, instructions, 3D files, patterns, links to forum posts, etc .

DIY Bandoliers

Bandolier Strap

Adam Savage's One Day Builds: Chewbacca's Bandolier!

Patterns

1. How To Use The Leather Strap Cutter
2. Basic Hand Stitching Set For Leather
3. Installing Eyelets And Grommets On Leather
4. Setting Snap Fasteners On Leather
5. Setting up a Leather Workshop
6. Leather Preparation For Tooling
7. Antique Stain And Finish On Leather
8. Edge Creasing On Leather Tutorial
9. How To Finish Exposed Edges On Leather
10. How To Punch Round Holes Using Drive and Rotary Punches
11. How To Set A Rivet In Leather
12. How To Cut Leather
13. How To Set a Copper Rivet
14. How To Overall And Inlay Dye

Tools You Will Need

1. Scratch Awl
2. Head Knife
3. Straight Knife
4. Strap Cutter

Pouch

1. You want 4 - 6 oz. leather for the strap, and 3 - 5 oz. for the pouch.

Licensed Bandoliers

Chewbacca Supreme Edition Chewbacca Costume

Chewbacca Bandolier Large Aluminum Boxes (set of 10)

Community Resources

Clubs, forums, and user groups focused on the bandolier.