Anyone ever seen this on a buff's bosses?
Hello all.
I got this buff in TZ in 2006 and I am probably going to get a euro mount done. If the bosses can be fixed.
It looks like they burned them somehow with chemicals or something. Has anyone ever seen this before? have you had it fixed? How was it fixed?
Todd
10 June 2008, 04:13
GraftonThat appears to be fat/grease from the horn bases melted into the boss. The insecticide powders used may have stuck to that as well. Whatever it is, it can be repaired. As to how...cleaning and degreasing followed by rebuilding the top layer of horn that has "flaked" off. This can be done a number of different ways, and you will never know it is not real horn if it is done well.
I generally make silicone texture molds of various sections of boss that I want and then press these molds into an epoxy. To much involved to go into any more detail here. The bottom line is that there is no problem fixing it.
Restoring the base of cape buffalo horns is a common repair. The question is how much space do you want between the bosses when you get it back?

PM me if you would like more info. Good luck.
10 June 2008, 18:39
BwanamichThat's the result form boiling the skull. Unless the bosses are "dead' hard from an old bull, they will flake after boiling.
It can be fixed.
Thanks guys. I will get it touched up before having it mounted.
Todd
11 June 2008, 09:47
J P BakerIt happens all the time and it is easy to fix.
Similar experience with a waterbuck. Taxidermist repaired it and one cannot tell it's not entirely natural.
Congrats on your buff.