Gaur & Sambur Trophies shot by Grandpa

[shadowring]

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Sambur Shot 1956 with musket
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Gaurs shot sometime in the 50's

[Safarigent]

nice trophies.
where were they taken?
and welcome to ifg.
do introduce yourself.

[shadowring]

Hi,

These gaurs were taken between India-Myanmar back when there were no
clear demarcation of borders. Took a couple of shots and tracking/trailing for two days.
Bos Gaurus Readei (Indo-chinese species- shorter but thicker horns, and usually taller than Bos Gaurus Gaurus)
Upper one measurement: Rt. horn outside curve (OC) is 30.5", Lt. horn OC is 30"
Widest outside is 34 inch and tip to tip measures 17", circumference of horn at base is 19inch for both.
Lower one measurement: circum.base 20", rt.OC 28.5", lt.OC 28", widest outside is 37".
Nice to meet all of you.
here's another one shorter horns but massive horns. Measurement: Rt.OC 27", Lt.OC 26.5", Circumference of both base 22", widest outside is 39"
[img]http://i]

[prashantsingh]

Those are nice big horns shadowring.
By the way, what have you done to the gaur skulls. Are they covered with mud/cement ?

[shadowring]

lol. no not mud and neither cement prashant. I am still trying to get it in shape as they had spent decades lying forgotten down in the basement. Since there are no decent taxidermists around here I am experimenting with mixing saw dust and good ol' fevicol (wish gramps had preserved the skin). Will post an updated photo tomorrow so you can compare before and after results.

[Priyan]

Hi shadowring, Nice to see you getting into taxidermy, It's a dying art in India now-a-days after total ban on hunting. BTW are you from the seven-sisters too? I mean north-east India.

[shooter]

dear shadow ring, one doesnt have to use anything to get the skull 'back in shape'. one can go for the 'short nose cut'and then bleach the bone or even let it be. the short nose cut can then be mounted on a shield.
again a tip re: the shields.
they look more grand if a bit wider. and rather than the step shape as seen in the pics, go for the usual classic shape with flowing lines.

Again make sure the shield is dark, wide and thick this is more true for the mammoth trophies you have there.
There is plenty of info re short nose cut in the net.

a brass shield-shaped,round or oval (take your pick) plaque nailed towards the tip of the shield should be engraved with the name, place and year of the animal shot. for eg:

Shadowring
Burma
1956

some people also add the measurements etc

[jonahpach]

shadowring I believe I can help you with the .22 brno can you contact me at [email protected] I dont have PM facility!

Jonah

[shadowring]

Hi shadowring, Nice to see you getting into taxidermy,

It's a dying art in India now-a-days after total ban on hunting. BTW

are you from the seven-sisters too? I mean north-east India.

Hi, Priyan thanks for the encouraging words although I am really

struggling with the task (wish Van Ingen & Van Ingen were still

around). Its a pity our govt. totally banned hunting, I wish they

would atleast allow estate hunting...They could earn revenue from

hunting tax, hunting equiptments (including guns) and then use that

money for wildlife conservation. Yes I am from the NE of India.

dear shadow ring, one doesnt have to use anything to

get the skull 'back in shape'. one can go for the 'short nose cut'and

then bleach the bone or even let it be. the short nose cut can then be

mounted on a shield.
again a tip re: the shields.

Thanks for your astute observation, I will try to do my best. I will

try to bleach the one I had already put up on the wall. As for the

other one the thing weighs too much for a simple plaque on the wall.
[img]http://i1199
Concrete and pipe stand, covered with teak wood, very heavy to add
stability. Head can swivel 360*.

[img]http://i1199.
Unexposed side, I got a bit lazy with it. can see the two pieces of

wood that served in place of cervical bones.

[img]http://i1199.p
Left side view of the head, wanted to retain the rough texture of the sawdust.

[img]http://i11
Right side view

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Frontside with an aunt serving as size comparision.

[img]http://i119
Decided to leave this one as it is and added a small pine wood back. Will try to bleach it white.

[img]http://i1199
Stuck it up next to a mithun/gayal/bos frontalis/Sial which had a measurement of 18.5 inches length of both right and left horn,
circumference of base of horn is 18 inches each, widest span is 36inch
and skull length of 24inches. This Sial is no small beast, but look
how small he looks next to the gaur/bos gaurus/ zaang sial (translated as humped
mithun in my language).

[prashantsingh]

That's a decent effort shadowring.
You must have studied the animals anatomy in detail and gone through a number of snaps.
The skull mounts of the Mithun and the Gaur are really nice.

[vrohan59]

Nice pics,glad to see that there are still people who value such trofies.

[shadowring]

Thanks Prashant, it took a long time to get to the stage. Lots of scraping, sanding...As you have intuitively guessed I have a whole folder of gaur pictures ( atleast all that I could find on the net).
What do you think about the colours on the mithun and the gaur, should I bleach it white instead? (although removing the paint is going to take a lot of work). Well anyway thanks for the comments friends. I wish a lot of the trophies and general taxidermy works that are locked up in museum storages were restored, Rohan ,then we could truly have something to appreciate.
The reason why I really like trophies is because it gives me the only chance to see up close and appreciate what fine animals these were and to imagine a period in time that I would fully never get to experience.