Pilgrim belt fitting

Product description

The scallop shell strap fitting measures 2 x 2.5 cm and is made from high-quality bronze casting for both durability and an authentic look. Attachment is straightforward: three pins on the back insert through the leather holes. Use pliers to bend the pin tips slightly inward, then tap them flat with a hammer to secure the fitting firmly and evenly onto the belt.

Originally, scallop shells served as scoops and drinking vessels along the coast of Galicia. Pilgrims made it a common tradition to attach a shell to their walking stick or clothing on their journey home — a visible sign they had successfully completed their pilgrimage and reached their destination. In the late Middle Ages, enterprising merchants launched a profitable souvenir trade, selling pewter versions of these scallop shells alongside other pilgrim badges. The pewter scallop shell soon became widely recognized across Europe as a symbol of pilgrimage. Read more