Holy Hand Grenade

Prop Replica from Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Sourced the original brass toilet ballcock from a UK plumbing supply store.  It’s just fun to say ballcock.

Researched the build and dimensions from the propstore auction (see below) of the original prop (not the one recreated for the DVD menu which had a squared crucifix).

Stranded the correct size pearls and soldered the brass tube to make the cross and used the ballcock’s nipple to pressure fit.

I used the same ring technique of the semi-restored auction item vs gluing the pearls on.

Instead of using a cheap gold spraypaint, I experimented with Alclad Pale Gold (my dad is too cheap to get me Alumaluster) over a gloss black base, then used an Aquagloss clear, followed by a 2k clear.

I made a mistake of doing a 1k clear and it crazed, as the Aquagloss wasn’t fully cure, so I had to sand and start over.

Gemstones had to be sized and sourced from overseas to maintain appropriate ratio.