Can Eland forms be used interchangeably?

[pigsticker]

Taxidermy question...

I shot a Lord Derby (Giant) Eland and want to have it mounted on a floor pedestal. There are very few forms for this specific species available. Anybody have experience using a common/cape eland form? I can't see a major difference between the shape of the two species. It should work I'm thinking...after all, they use cape buffalo forms for savannah buffalo right?

 

[Anbessa Gedai]

As a “Law of Good Taxidermy”, the form should be customized to fit the individual skin. . . (and not the other way around). This applies even if the taxidermist is using the “correct” form by species for the skin. Since the Lord Derby & Livingstone are quite similar (not saying identical), a taxidermist that follows the above stated “Law” should produce a good mount using either form. Of course the degree of mis-match will determine how much customizing the artist has to do.

 

[outwestidaho]

A Good taxidermist can alter any form to be what you want it to be !
Taking a wall shoulder Lord derby and making it a floor pedestal is child's play .
Use a great taxidermist and tell them what you want. They will make it happen no matter what forms are available. There's a big difference between a taxidermist that's a hide hanger and one that makes a form to be what you want.

 

[Tgood1]

a taxidermist can order the front half of a full body form and alter then reinforce to a pedestal mount pretty much any position you like. Be sure to hire one with plenty of african mount experience and be patient once it arrives in the studio.

 

[Firebird]

Might have to use the head from a lde form and put it onto the floor pedestal form you want. I’ve seen similar alterations performed. If you were able to provide some anatomical measurements-neck circumference, facial dimensions etc, it would be very helpful for your artist

 

[pigsticker]

Thank you for the information. The taxidermist is skilled in african mounts and I have dropped the hides with him to be sent to the tannery. I just didn't know if there were major anatomical differences between the common and the LDE. Looking at both species, I really couldn't differentiate any major features that separated the two. I'm happy to hear that it sounds like the forms are fairly interchangeable, this give me a lot of room to explore and customize my mount. Thanks again!

 

[Firebird]

Make sure you explain to your taxidermist what your desire is-he can set your mind at ease and should be able to dazzle you with his abilities. Glad you found someone with lots of African experience-enjoy!

 

[Muskox]

An LDE is way skinnier than a Cape or Livingstone Eland. This could be a problem.

 

[C.W. Richter]

I'm not a taxidermist, but collected a large blue bull Livingstone's Eland in 2007 and took a lot of time (with an experienced taxidermist) trying to find a properly-sized form. While one was located that fit the physical dimensions of the (shoulder mount,) none had a dewlap form even remotely close to the size of this monster. So, it was decided to loosen the skin around the neck (as is common outside the rut, i think) and use the paltry standard form dewlap size. In retrospect, I should've asked him to build-up the dewlap to actual specs. With such a great trophy as the Lord Derby, (did they take some measurements for taxidermy in camp?), I'd ensure that the taxidermist make the form fit the wet-tanned cape, not the other way around!!

 

[pigsticker]

No measurements in camp but I took lots of photos. I see that there are a ton of sizes available for the common/cape eland form so hopefully we can luck out and make something fit. I fear I am in the same situation with the Savannah Buffalo...these are much smaller than the cape buffalo but it is almost impossible to find anyone in the states who makes a form specific to the savannah.

 

[C.W. Richter]

No measurements in camp but I took lots of photos. I see that there are a ton of sizes available for the common/cape eland form so hopefully we can luck out and make something fit. I fear I am in the same situation with the Savannah Buffalo...these are much smaller than the cape buffalo but it is almost impossible to find anyone in the states who makes a form specific to the savannah.

In my opinion it's a better situation to have shave the most appropriately sized form down rather than have to build the largest one up or worse yet cut a large hide down so it fits. I think if you and your taxidermist measure twice you'll find something you can work with they will have to shave it down...

 

[rookhawk]

Taxidermy question...

I shot a Lord Derby (Giant) Eland and want to have it mounted on a floor pedestal. There are very few forms for this specific species available. Anybody have experience using a common/cape eland form? I can't see a major difference between the shape of the two species. It should work I'm thinking...after all, they use cape buffalo forms for savannah buffalo right?

Hey @pigsticker if you're using a world-class taxidermist rather than the decent guy in your same state or county, don't worry about this.

Exceptional taxidermists do not use default forms. They'll take a form and cut it into a million pieces, building it back up with fiberglass, epoxy, and clay to give your animal its uniqueness and accuracy to wild pictures.

As an example, I killed one super decent quality buck in my lifetime. It was "good" by rack standards, around a 166-168 gross score, but the thing was truly, truly massive. No whitetail form would work on a 300lb+ whitetail. My taxidermist bought a cow elk form and chopped it up to create the correct mass and size for me. The animal ended up looking just like it did when living which I guess is the whole point.

World-class taxidermy is relatively cheap. The top 10 taxidermists in the USA that have won all the medals price-gouge you for about 15% more than the drunk bubba down the street doing things in his garage. Seek out an amazing taxidermist and leave him or her to figure out your form issues.

 

[johnnyblues]

All good advice. But the key phrase here is a high quality taxidermist! Your garage taxidermist will most likely use a standard form and run with it. High end guys as said will chop and refit the crap out of a standard form. I know with my guy I have little to worry about ! Good luck.