LOS ANGELES – October 31, 2012 – We're offering a special sneak peak at something we have in the works: a relic of that early 26th century conflict – the Unification War between the ruling Alliance and secessionists known as the Independents.

These are the dog tags of Sergeant Malcolm Reynolds, who fought alongside Corporal Zoe Alleyne in the Battle of Serenity Valley. The zinc alloy prototypes pictured in this post show both a pewter finish and a bronze finish – the final choice.

These dog tags feature the logo of the Independents Army: a downward-pointing triangle surrounding an upward-pointing star. But an upside-down version of the logo also appeared onscreen. Firefly costume designer Shawna Trpcic says it was unintentional – a wardrobe boo-boo. But we saw it as a boo-boo with creative potential. So, our set of tags incorporates both logos.

It made sense to us that the tag with the original logo would go to the family when a soldier is killed. The tag with the upside-down logo (an upward-pointing triangle surrounding a downward-pointing star), we surmised, would remain with the soldier's body.

At the top of the tag's face are Chinese characters for soldier and for the numbers 5 and 7 signifying the 57th Overlanders Bridade, to which Malcolm Reynolds belonged. The flip side of the tag has a sort of 26th century QR code. Beneath that is Malcolm Reynolds' rank and his serial number.

We hope to offer a set of two tags with ball chain necklaces during the first half of 2013. Along with our Metal-Plated Mal Pistol Replica and our Firefly Mal Holster Artisan Replica, you'll be spot-on for cosplay and extra shiny!