How to Label Euro Skulls

[Boone66]

I've noticed the same thing; regional difference. But I suppose even that is changing as the "with teeth" versions become more ubiquitous.

thats a shame, I prefer them with out teeth. I would like to find one of the skull jigs.

 

[DieJager]

thats a shame, I prefer them with out teeth. I would like to find one of the skull jigs.

We have a lot of them in Europe. Costs about 60 bucks. I even seen one set that included a electric saw.

 

[Sabre]

thats a shame, I prefer them with out teeth. I would like to find one of the skull jigs.

I don't see why it is a shame. If you like them without teeth, you can still have yours cut that way and people that like it with teeth can get them done that way for their own.

 

[Sabre]

We have a lot of them in Europe. Costs about 60 bucks. I even seen one set that included a electric saw.View attachment 706199

That is cool. I have never seen the jig before. I thought the taxidermist just approximated where a good looking cut would be and cut them. Just never gave it more thought than that before.

 

[DieJager]

That is cool. I have never seen the jig before. I thought the taxidermist just approximated where a good looking cut would be and cut them. Just never gave it more thought than that before.

You can adjust it yourself. It is for home use, I don't think taxidermists use them. Got one myself. Getting better every time I use it.

First one I did free hand without the jig. Botched that one . But nobody notices it until you come real close to the skull. Afterwards bought the jig.

I cut them when they are still "green". I found that works better for me. Of course first fleshing the skull. After the cut I boil them for a short time.

 

[Sabre]

We have a lot of them in Europe. Costs about 60 bucks. I even seen one set that included a electric saw.View attachment 706199

Anyone have any idea where a jig like this could be purchased in the states? Everything I find is from Europe. Which makes sense, but I wouldn't mind finding something in the US to order.

 

[DieJager]

Anyone have any idea where a jig like this could be purchased in the states? Everything I find is from Europe. Which makes sense, but I wouldn't mind finding something in the US to order.

In honestly wouldn't know. Also this is made for especially roe deer and similar sizes, chamois.
I do not think the American deer species would fit.

 

[UKHunter]

I do all mine by hand with a wood saw. Its not that difficult to do. Just have the head so the back of the skull and antlers are on the floor, nose pointing towards the sky and decide the line you want to make your cut on and saw.

Tip - you get a much better cut and finish if you do this before the skull is boiled. Doing it after the skull is more brittle and you may get a less neat finish.

 

[Red Leg]

Not to sabotage the thread, but when did the euro mont change? When I was stationed in Germany, the scull was cut in a jig, from the back, through the middle of the eyes and nasal cavity. A really nice looking mount, without teeth in it. Oh, and yes either a permanent marker inside the bottom of the scull, or a nice plack.

It varies from country to country. Spanish taxidermists tend to use the whole skull. Generally, Germany and Austria continue to cut the skull as you describe for mounting. That style is what most would call a traditional Euro mount. The full skull seems to be the norm here in the US - so much so it probably should be called the American mount.

I had the Spanish taxidermist due it in their traditional way, but I actually much prefer the cut skull look. The whole skull - particularly something in a deer species - to me looks like something found in the back forty. Except for buffalo, I have had all my African Euros done in the traditional form.

These various deer and the two hartebeest (a Lichtenstein and a red) are done in the traditional style.

 

[Boone66]

In honestly wouldn't know. Also this is made for especially roe deer and similar sizes, chamois.
I do not think the American deer species would fit.

This is what I saw, but it is too small, I believe for white tail and mule deer, I think one for stag would work better, but didn't see one of those.

 

[Boone66]

I do all mine by hand with a wood saw. Its not that difficult to do. Just have the head so the back of the skull and antlers are on the floor, nose pointing towards the sky and decide the line you want to make your cut on and saw.

Tip - you get a much better cut and finish if you do this before the skull is boiled. Doing it after the skull is more brittle and you may get a less neat finish.

I have tried this with mixed results, but I did it after the boil and bleach. I'll definitely try it green.

 

[DieJager]

This is what I saw, but it is too small, I believe for white tail and mule deer, I think one for stag would work better, but didn't see one of those.

This one is for red stags, sika and fallow
And similar. Will definitely work for whitetails I think. Lots of European shops have them.

 

[Boone66]

This one is for red stags, sika and fallow
And similar. Will definitely work for whitetails I think. Lots of European shops have them.

View attachment 706398

Awesome, thank you

 

[Rigby375]

I have always been a fan of traditional “ivorine” (ie synthetic ivory, essentially a cream-coloured celluloid) labels on shield mounts such as the below examples.

After much searching, I have managed to find an engraver here in the UK who is able and willing to replicate this style of label and I have ordered some for some red deer mounts.

 

[DieJager]

I have always been a fan of traditional “ivorine” (ie synthetic ivory, essentially a cream-coloured celluloid) labels on shield mounts such as the below examples.

After much searching, I have managed to find an engraver here in the UK who is able and willing to replicate this style of label and I have ordered some for some red deer mounts.

View attachment 706651

View attachment 706652

Very nice. Certainly interested. I'm just at the other side of the North Sea. Wil send you a DM

 

[Boone66]

Awesome,

I have always been a fan of traditional “ivorine” (ie synthetic ivory, essentially a cream-coloured celluloid) labels on shield mounts such as the below examples.

After much searching, I have managed to find an engraver here in the UK who is able and willing to replicate this style of label and I have ordered some for some red deer mounts.

View attachment 706651

View attachment 706652

Now, that looks classy

 

[Troubleshooter]

It varies from country to country. Spanish taxidermists tend to use the whole skull. Generally, Germany and Austria continue to cut the skull as you describe for mounting. That style is what most would call a traditional Euro mount. The full skull seems to be the norm here in the US - so much so it probably should be called the American mount.

And then just to further confuse the issue, we have something like this; the cut made above the teeth but below the eye socket. This one was done by a Namibian taxidermist and shows the "northern European" influence. Guess we should expect that from the former "German Sud West Afrika" though.

Still looks good to me.

 

[Tintin]

I have always been a fan of traditional “ivorine” (ie synthetic ivory, essentially a cream-coloured celluloid) labels on shield mounts such as the below examples.

After much searching, I have managed to find an engraver here in the UK who is able and willing to replicate this style of label and I have ordered some for some red deer mounts.

I thought I liked my engraved brass plates .....

I made the timber plaque and also added a Saltire lapel pin to this one.

Then I saw @Rigby375 's post about the classic ivorine - love them. If you're happy to share to contact details of your man, I'd appreciate it.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I thought I liked my engraved brass plates .....

I made the timber plaque and also added a Saltire lapel pin to this one.

View attachment 707911

Then I saw @Rigby375 's post about the classic ivorine - love them. If you're happy to share to contact details of your man, I'd appreciate it.

Try Schaff Piano Supply in Illinois. They list key retopping stuff in their online catalog. I'll warn you the catalog did not open well on my phone. I suggest calling them. Formerly I was a piano technician and still have some old ivory key tops though not sure what I'll ever do with them. Even dropping one in the mail is a federal offense as I understand it. Never dealt with Schaff. My supplier in Montreal closed several years ago.

Plastic ivory keytops could be easily reshaped as needed with Dremel tool then taken to a trophy shop for engraving. A bit of black shoe polish rubbed into the letters to finish it off.

History - Schaff Piano