Capes destroyed and useless

[Capt. Red]

Are you atleast able to have euro mounts done or were the skulls improperly handled as well?

Most of the skulls are alright. One still had a lot of grease in it..

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

Most of the skulls are alright. One still had a lot of grease in it..

Fixable then at least, you can always euro them if the hides are beyond salvage.

 

[Capt. Red]

Of course I don’t have them in my hands to look at but from the pics they do not appear to be unusable. Looks like a little grease burn but believe me I’ve dealt with a lot worse. All things considered they look pretty good. About 80% of all the taxidermy I do is African and I get capes in a hellava lot worse shape than that. We do everything we can to work with the clients capes. Over the years I’ve had 3 that were completely unusable but for a shop that runs several hundred African mounts a year that’s really not bad. I’ve also seen taxidermists that aren’t used to working with them claim they aren’t usable when they are. Not saying that is what the deal is here but if one isn’t used to them it can be quite overwhelming. I’ve unfortunately seen a few who know how to work with and fix them but don’t want to deal with it so they claim they aren’t usable. Again, not saying that’s the deal here but unfortunately it does happen occasionally.

Thank you for taking the time to look at my pictures, replying, and your input. It is appreciated.
I can say that my taxidermist here is very very experienced working with African animals, and extremely conscientious, so I am comfortable with his size up of the capes and their potential (or lack there of).

 

[Capt. Red]

Fixable then at least, you can always euro them if the hides are beyond salvage.

Yeah, but it is still so messed up that what should be lifetime trophies, may now be so much less than I hoped for...

 

[rookhawk]

Thank you for taking the time to look at my pictures, replying, and your input. It is appreciated.
I can say that my taxidermist here is very very experienced working with African animals, and extremely conscientious, so I am comfortable with his size up of the capes and their potential (or lack there of).

You did the right thing getting the skins and horns here. Imagine how angry you'd be if you paid all the shipping for finished product and they were terrible.

Your next step is to decide: Euro mounts, or search for skins? If you ask on this forum for skins, someone may be able to help you out. Plains game skins aren't a hard to find commodity.

 

[Capt. Red]

I agree with @gizmo, maybe grease burned when tanned. Hard to tell without feel and close look. I would neutralize and soak up, downy, salt and water. Then see if they are mountable, stretchy? From my limited experience grease burned hides rip, tear, do not hold a stich well and are very difficult to work with. But can be used, especially on yours, its lower brisket area, normally tucked in leg pits. Easier to hide.

I would soak up, do repairs and mount one to see. You still have hair on and not as many cuts, holes and issues as some I have mounted.

Give it a shot, good luck. Its African skins.

MB

Mark,
Thanks for the reply/advice. I may well do one of the capes as suggested, as they are destined for the trash anyways. Would you be kind enough to provide the mixture ratio for the brine, length of soak, etc to help me get this underway? Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Chris

 

[Mekaniks]

@rookhawk is right. Common PG hides are not extremely difficult to come by....

 

[Capt. Red]

Also.....Kanati Reproductions out of Pennsylvania creates trophy replicas. I talked to them at the recent SCI convention regarding a Hippo green-dart trophy of mine. Talk with him to possibly find a solution with your hides. Kanati.com; 717-933-4828

Thanks for the tip Corey! Appreciated

Chris

 

[Capt. Red]

You did the right thing getting the skins and horns here. Imagine how angry you'd be if you paid all the shipping for finished product and they were terrible.

Your next step is to decide: Euro mounts, or search for skins? If you ask on this forum for skins, someone may be able to help you out. Plains game skins aren't a hard to find commodity.

Thanks Rookhawk!

 

[revturbo9967]

I honestly don’t think they look bad.

 

[migrabill]

African taxidermy can be beautiful and perfect. And African taxidermy can be ... well.... like what you have. And when you are not satisfied and the culpable party is in South Africa... well.. you're screwed. I knew when I went to RSA it would probably be my only time. That is why I chose to have all my stuff done in the USA by an award winning taxidermist. More expensive - yes. But I don't want to put my once in a lifetime trophies to chance. And if I do have a problem... they are a 4 hour drive away.

 

[Hunt anything]

Good luck with whatever path you take. I’ve seen worse! My first buffalo and sable came over with a fair amount of hair slippage. The taxidermist here did an admirable job hiding the spots on the sable with paint and the pose. On the buff they just slapped some synthetic mud on him and it looks pretty good.
I read in the OP you didn’t want to name the dip&pack company but it would help keep someone out of your predecessors if you did. Totally understand if you don’t want to though.