Mal's braces / suspenders by Masaq

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Mal's braces / suspenders

POSTED BY: MASAQ
UPDATED: Wednesday, August 5, 2009 06:38
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Sunday, January 21, 2007 3:12 PM

Hey all, discovered Firefly only a short while ago but I'm hooked; was so frustrated when I'd finished watching all 14 episodes and Serenity!

I'm desperately trying to find some braces / suspenders similar to Mal's (as seen in the Firefly rather than Serenity).

I've searched via google for several hours and not come up with any that even come close to matching those seen on-screen.

What I'm looking for are:

Brown, canvas or cotton webbing, non-elasticated, Y-shape suspenders with button-on tabs not clips.

It's gorram difficult to find any that aren't elasticated, and all that aren't elasticated appear to be leather or nylon military-style webbing.

If anyone's sourced such a set of braces/suspenders in compiling a Firefly-esque outfit, or would be able to make such a set, please could they let me know?

Many thanks!

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Sunday, January 21, 2007 6:05 PM

DOCTROID

They're interesting. Narrower in front than in back and over the shoulders for one thing. Also, the Y-shaped ones I've seen have had two strips coming over the shoulders and connected in the middle of the back to a third strip that goes to the waist in back, but that's not what Mal's are like. In his the two strips are connected by a sort of panel in back at the shoulder blades, and they both continue to the waist where they connect to each other and to the part that buttons down -- in fact it's really a single strip, not two, buttoned to the waistband at both ends (front right and left) and in the middle (back center). More like V-shaped than X- or Y-shaped. You get a fairly decent view (though kind of dimly lit) of the narrowing of the strips in front in the first moments of the "Out of Gas" teaser, and of the configuration of the back at the start of the first act. I've never seen suspenders like these that I can recall.

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Sunday, January 21, 2007 6:09 PM

DOCTROID

Actually here's a pair that are not totally dissimilar -- at least in so far as they're the "V shape" (though in many other respects they're different). http://www.wephaus.com/proddetail.asp?prod=113652

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Sunday, January 21, 2007 7:03 PM

NCBROWNCOAT

I think the suspenders are WWI or WWII Army officer's suspenders. You may be able to find some in a really good surplus store, theatrical supply store or Tristan may know where to get some. I've seen his Mal costume and it looks pretty accurate.

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Monday, January 22, 2007 11:17 AM

OUT2THEBLACK

Quote:
Originally posted by Masaq:

I'm desperately trying to find some braces / suspenders similar to Mal's (as seen in the Firefly rather than Serenity).

What I'm looking for are:

Brown, canvas or cotton webbing, non-elasticated, Y-shape suspenders with button-on tabs not clips.

It's gorram difficult to find any that aren't elasticated, and all that aren't elasticated appear to be leather or nylon military-style webbing.

If anyone's sourced such a set of braces/suspenders in compiling a Firefly-esque outfit, or would be able to make such a set, please could they let me know?

The originals were based on a military-spec item , slightly modified . It's not a WW2 piece of kit ; it's much more recent .

I've got a source for the base item ; although it's not inexpensive , it'll get you most of the way...

If you have a dropzone in your area , you can probably find a friendly parachute rigger to finish the modifications that you'll require .

Or if you know someone else with an industrial sewing machine...

I'm going to post a picture momentarily...

Send me a private message and I'll put you on the right trail...

<

>

As a bonus , you'll get a couple of extraneous ammo pouches that'll help with a Jayne costume...

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Tuesday, January 23, 2007 7:56 AM

TRISTAN

Masaq, first off, welcome home!

I had the same problem you did with the suspenders. They are very similar to quite a few that are out there. I finally gave up and scratch-built some from canvas that I dyed. Even made the little brass thingies that go in the front. They are not all that hard to do if you have some sewing skills.
I have photos I can post if you'd like, but I don't want to bog down your thread. Let me know, or contact me at tristan71@cableone.net as I'd be happy to help!

______________________________________
Commanding Officer of the 76th Independent Battalion.

Sign up now! http://fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=11&t=25704
More Information: http://76thbattalion.homestead.com/index.html

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Wednesday, January 24, 2007 12:44 PM

MASAQ

Thanks all for your input! I also had the cheek to email Shawna Trpcic herself on the matter; she stated the webbed ones were definately from WWII army surplus. For Mal, they got them at a western costume company in LA (slightly out of my neck of the woods, what with me being a Brit an' all!) but she recommended trying surplus stores etc.

I'm in the middle of a week off so I spent some time in a varity of local surplus stores and didn't have any luck- only modern harness sets with H-backs rather than a V or Y style back.

Checked t'internet again and struck lucky after another couple of hours searching- found this store:

http://www.riverjunction.com/catalog/mensfurn/suspenders2.html

that has canvas suspenders in a X-back config that look pretty similar to Mal's. They also do them in a variety of colours, so I've ordered a pair in brown. They're not identical to Mal's (they don't flare out over the shoulders to further spread the load) but they're similar enough to keep me happy.

After all- the UK doesn't have a massive browncoat scene and on those occasions I decide to wear a Mal-esque outfit I'm sure no-one will realise, let alone slap me down for inaccurate suspenders!

On a final note, River Junction also have canvas frontier-style trousers/pants for about $20 less than Mah Wakers usually retail for, so anyone else who's thinking of dressing Mal-ish, you might want to check them out for those, too.

Thanks for the warm welcome!

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Friday, February 9, 2007 7:59 PM

JUGGLINGGEESE

i'm also new here (first post, hello!) and working on a mal costume for the new york comiccon in two weeks. i figured the suspenders were some sort of military-western hybrid, and it's neat to see that i was right. i found a military backpack with similar straps that i may use combined with a pair of actual button suspenders. for such a simple costume as mal's, its nuances are difficult to get right.

good. bad. i'm the guy with the gun.

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Saturday, February 10, 2007 11:48 AM

OUT2THEBLACK

Well then , WELCOME ABOARD !

I've PM'ed some more info about the source for suspenders...

Hope that this turns out well and gets you a screen-accurate costume ! If the links come through broken , send me an email address and we'll try again .

Please post well and often . Also , introduce yourself in the latest ruttin'-new-guy thread !

Folk will make you all manner of welcome . Take care , di-di !

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Saturday, March 8, 2008 11:26 AM

MOONITEMAN

Anybody got a link to where I can get my self those Israeli suspender things?

Shiny

Moony

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Saturday, March 8, 2008 12:53 PM

PHYRELIGHT

Have you tried eBay?

"I swear, having you guys in my corner is like being friends with Zorro."
-Joss on us fans and our persistent reputation
Thanks, Joss!

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Saturday, March 8, 2008 12:55 PM

MOONITEMAN

yep to no avail

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Saturday, March 8, 2008 1:16 PM

PHYRELIGHT

Try back another day. Everything changes constantly there.

"I swear, having you guys in my corner is like being friends with Zorro."
-Joss on us fans and our persistent reputation
Thanks, Joss!

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Saturday, March 8, 2008 1:30 PM

MOONITEMAN

true - but I'm not entirely sure what the heck to search for - Israeli suspenders? Israel force belt?

who would have thought suspenders would give ya such trouble.

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Saturday, March 8, 2008 1:39 PM

PHYRELIGHT

Search for brown or tan suspenders, then try and get the closest thing to what Mal wears. Good luck with it!

"I swear, having you guys in my corner is like being friends with Zorro."
-Joss on us fans and our persistent reputation
Thanks, Joss!

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Saturday, March 8, 2008 2:44 PM

MOONITEMAN

I aint just looking for suspenders though - I'm specifically looking for these :

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Saturday, March 8, 2008 3:03 PM

OUT2THEBLACK

Sorry , big guy ! Didn't see you come into the thread , at first...

These seem to have gotten to be in short supply...I ordered a couple of sets of them at a very reasonable price from the Sportsman's Guide catalog , and they were DEAD. SOLID . PERFECT !

It's plain to me that Shawna's supplier definitely misled her , as to the origin of the item used on Firefly...

The WW2 web gear of the British and US Forces are really not even close , but the Israeli webgear is spot on !

I received a set that was Six Days War 1967 vintage , and another set that was even older , and they were both
beauti-mous , plainly the true basis for Mal's suspenders !

The bronze hardware on the webbing ends was itself worth the price paid !

If you contact the Sportsman's Guide and are able to receive a favorable result with regard to these , please post in this thread !

I will , in the meantime , see if I can retrieve an SG item number for these suspenders !

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.takebackthefuture.com/

http://www.fox.com/fod/player.htm?show=tscc

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Saturday, March 8, 2008 3:27 PM

MOONITEMAN

I appreciate the help out2theblack - these suspenders are a pain the pigu - I'll see what I can do - but I really need as much help as I can get as these things are hardly traceable.

Cheers!

Cap'n Moony

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Saturday, March 8, 2008 9:01 PM

OUT2THEBLACK

Quote:
Originally posted by Mooniteman:
I appreciate the help out2theblack - these suspenders are a pain the pigu - I'll see what I can do - but I really need as much help as I can get as these things are hardly traceable.

Cheers!

Cap'n Moony

Did you try the Sportsman's Guide yet ?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.takebackthefuture.com/

http://www.fox.com/fod/player.htm?show=tscc

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Saturday, March 8, 2008 11:05 PM

MOONITEMAN

Mail sent!

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Wednesday, March 12, 2008 7:28 PM

AVENGINGWATCHER

http://cgi.ebay.com/German-WWII-2-Style-Suspenders-New-Unissued-condit
ion_W0QQitemZ380005089657QQihZ025QQcategoryZ36049QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Check out this item found on ebay. Maybe close to what you are looking for?

When there are no heroes where will we turn?

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Thursday, March 13, 2008 5:18 AM

MOONITEMAN

Thanks avengingwatcher - those are very close... but I'm going for %100 accurate - and if you notice those don't flare out at the shoulders like Mal's - though they are very close!

Thanks!

Moony

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Thursday, February 19, 2009 2:11 PM

COLOURSCHEMER

I found them on this site:

http://www.battledressuniform.com/92-83.html

The hardest part is their $25 minimum order.

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Thursday, May 21, 2009 5:22 PM

CLARK417

Long time lurker, second or third time poster. I've been trying to find these suspenders for years. I had no idea that I should search for Israeli style suspenders. I'm so glad that I found this thread.

Searching around on the interweb, I found this site that as of 5/21/09, has less than 60 left on sale for $12.95.

http://www.atlantacutlery.com/p-1350-israeli-combat-belt.aspx

I ordered 2 sets and shipping was about $10 for Fed-Ex ground.

Keep Flyin'

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Friday, May 22, 2009 2:04 PM

COLOURSCHEMER

Oh good, because the site I listed above put my order on 'backorder' and the person that called me told me they'd get some more in in a few weeks. That was three months ago.

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Friday, June 19, 2009 10:12 AM

OUT2THEBLACK

Quote:
Originally posted by Clark417:
Long time lurker, second or third time poster. I've been trying to find these suspenders for years. I had no idea that I should search for Israeli style suspenders. I'm so glad that I found this thread.

Searching around on the interweb, I found this site that as of 5/21/09, has less than 60 left on sale for $12.95.

http://www.atlantacutlery.com/p-1350-israeli-combat-belt.aspx

I ordered 2 sets and shipping was about $10 for Fed-Ex ground.

Keep Flyin'

Thanks for the info !

Excellent price , Clark417 , and Welcome Aboard !

Atlanta Cutlery has historically been an interesting and reliable supplier of these vintage mil-spec items...

Thanks to the Folk in this thread with an interest in Keeping Us Flying !

We HOLD ! Hold 'til the Cap'n gets back...

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Wednesday, August 5, 2009 6:38 AM

CLARK417

I'm glad I can help. I received my 2 pairs fairly quickly. Just need to modify them so that they'll fit my wahmaker pants and I'll be ready for DragonCon.

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