We sell a lot of once-fired brass, and the questions we get from customers are often about what to do with it. Some people want a hat pin for the shooting season. Others are making jewellery, wind chimes or costume pieces. Here are the ideas we have seen most, plus a few tips on getting the brass ready.
Pheasant feather hat pins and hat bands
This is the one we get asked about most as the season gets going. A 12 gauge shotgun base cap makes a neat little cup for feathers. Drill a hole in the brass, glue a few pheasant feathers into it, and fix it to a leather hatband or a tweed cap. If you tie it on rather than gluing it down, you can swap it between hats.
A good step-by-step example is this DIY pheasant feather pendant from Women’s Outdoor News. It uses a high-brass shotgun shell, but our loose base caps save you the job of cutting off the plastic hull.
What you need
- A brass or silver shotgun base cap
- Pheasant feathers
- A drill and a small bit, plus pliers to hold the brass
- Strong glue, a scrap of felt or leather, and a leather cord or hat pin back
We sell loose base caps, cleaned and ready to drill, in gold brass (5 pack or 10 pack) and silver nickel (5 pack or 10 pack).
Jewellery and keyrings
Brass casings are a natural fit for jewellery. Polished 9mm and rifle casings work as pendants, earrings and charm bracelets, and they can be wire-wrapped, engraved or set with beads. Nickel 9mm casings give a silver look with no plating work on your side.
- Pendants and necklaces: drill the case head or fit a bail, then add a chain
- Earrings: smaller cases such as 9mm and .22 rimfire keep the weight down
- Bracelets: mix casings with beads or leather
- Keyrings: the easy first project if you have never worked with brass before
Craft casings in the shop: 9mm brass casings, nickel 9mm casings, .22 rimfire casings and rifle casings.
Wind chimes and garden decor
Polished rifle casings make a good wind chime because they ring clearly and do not rust. Drill out the flash hole, thread each case on twine or fishing line, and hang them at different lengths from a piece of driftwood or a small plaque. A simple version is described in this NRA Family wind chime guide.
For a smaller chime, 9mm brass casings work too. If you would rather have a finished brass piece for the office, see our bullet push pins.
Steampunk and costume accessories
Brass is a natural match for steampunk. Makers use casings on belts, cuffs, hats and bracelets. We have also had enquiries about using casings on corsets and similar costume pieces. We have not made one ourselves, so we cannot give a tested method, but the lighter pieces such as base caps and small casings are what people ask for. If you make one, send us a photo.
Getting your brass ready
- Cleaning: a tumbler with media gives the quickest shine. By hand, a brass polish and a soft cloth works well.
- Drilling: clamp or hold the piece with pliers, wear eye protection, and start with a small bit. Brass is soft, but it grabs the bit if it is not held firmly.
- Gluing: rough the surface lightly first. An epoxy or a strong craft glue holds better on smooth brass.
- Sealing: a thin coat of clear lacquer keeps polished brass from tarnishing on pieces that get handled.
Our casings are supplied fired and inert. Whatever you make, check airline and local rules before travelling with finished pieces, and do not sell or post anything that could be mistaken for live ammunition.
Prefer something ready made?
If you would rather give a finished piece, take a look at our handmade bullet keyrings and bullet cufflinks, or have one laser engraved with a name, date or message.
Frequently asked questions
What can I make with empty shotgun base caps?
Hat pins and feather pendants are the most popular, followed by jewellery, keyrings and costume details.
Can I make a hat band with pheasant feathers?
Yes. Glue the feathers into a drilled base cap, then tie or pin it to a leather hatband. Keeping it removable lets you move it between hats.
Are your casings safe to use for crafts?
Yes. They are once-fired and inert. Wear eye protection when drilling and wash your hands after handling brass.
Is it safe to carry finished pieces?
Yes, they are inert. Always check with your airline before travelling abroad with them.
Do you make custom pieces?
We can engrave and make bespoke items. Get in touch with what you have in mind.
