The Accurate Reloading Forums
Check out the Elephant shoulder mount...
22 September 2006, 19:04
Bill CCheck out the Elephant shoulder mount...
This is in my taxidermist's showroom. Tusks are reproductions, and I think the ears are fiberglass. Cost to mount about $12K.
22 September 2006, 19:10
GunsCoreWow! It is magnificent!
STAY IN THE FIGHT!
22 September 2006, 19:21
WillI would think the whole thing is "plastic."
Tempted, are you?

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Will / Once you've been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun.
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and, God Bless John Wayne. NRA Benefactor, GOA, NAGR
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"Elephant and Elephant Guns" $99 shipped.
“Hunting Africa's Dangerous Game" $20 shipped.
red.dirt.elephant@gmail.com
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If anything be of note, let it be he was once an elephant hunter, hoping to wind up where elephant hunters go.
22 September 2006, 19:55
tradewindswho is the taxidermist?
22 September 2006, 21:20
BrettVery well done and the cost dosn't seem extreem.
I well remember the ele head mount in the Weatherby store front. Makes a big impression.
Brett
22 September 2006, 22:16
Bill CThe taxidermist is Wes Good, of Wildlife Artistry, located in south-central PA.
Phone: (800) 809-8508
email: info@taxidermystudio.com
Will, think of the training possibilities, this and an airsoft rifle, we could practice our "angles" all night long. If I had the room - and had I not already shot my bull - sure would be neat.
Here's another pict. Okay, see the ear hole....

22 September 2006, 22:23
analog_peninsulaNice work, but I think this falls into the conspicuous consumption category. I think I'd use the money to finance another trip instead.
analog_peninsula
analog_peninsula
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It takes character to withstand the rigors of indolence.
22 September 2006, 22:24
NitroXBill
Damned nice!
Thanks for posting.
23 September 2006, 01:14
Gerhard.DelportWoW that is Awesome!!!
Gerhard
Gerhard
FFF Safaris
Capture Your African Moments
Hunting Outfitter (MP&LP)
Proffesional Hunter (MP&LP)
History guide
Wildlife Photographer
www.fffsafaris.co.za 23 September 2006, 01:24
bwanamrmOnly $12,000? I'll take two!

On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died.
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch...
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
- Rudyard Kipling
Life grows grim without senseless indulgence.
23 September 2006, 03:23
dogcatAT $12k, that is less than a cruise and less than a cheesy big diamond ring that my wife doesn't want - why not an ele in the house?
A lot less than a double rifle built in the 1920's by H&H and you can look at it everyday...
23 September 2006, 03:50
Michael RobinsonI always figured I would need about twelve feet of wall, about twelve feet high to feature an elephant head and shoulder mount.
But if I had the space . . .

Very nice work on that one.
Mike
Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer.
23 September 2006, 05:37
retreeverBill, and expensive target to get built...But very nice...
Mike
Michael Podwika... DRSS bigbores and hunting
www.pvt.co.za " MAKE THE SHOT " 450#2 Famars
23 September 2006, 11:19
KenscoThe best I've seen. Very realistic.
23 September 2006, 12:09
JBrownFrom the front it looks outstanding, but from the side it doesn't look so hot.
Jason
Jason
"You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core."
_______________________
Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt.
Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry
Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure.
-Jason Brown
23 September 2006, 15:42
WalkerThe ears look like the edge of a pie crust.
26 September 2006, 20:11
RobertJrBill,
Is the elephant head supported through the trunk or is it attached to a black wall mount?
This is a pretty impressive mount. Does the $12,000 include the pedestal? How high does the final product require for clearance? This could solve a lot of my problems.
Robert
26 September 2006, 21:48
Bill CRobert, The mount is free-standing and does not require a wall to support. The $12K is I think worst-case w/base, and actual price could be a bit lower depending on tanning, base, etc. It is expensive, but so is elephant hunting and it is all relative. I mean, the same things could be said about mounting a kudu depending on one's financial status. But not everybody's cup of tea for sure.
The ears on this one are fiberglass and Wes said they worked quite a bit on smoothing them out. They do not appear as "wrinkly" in person, but the results would likely be better if you can use the tanned ears (I think these were used to make wall-hanging maps of Africa). I know it comes apart as before Wes moved into his new studio it was in storage, and I would suspect it would be made to fit through a std door opening and reassembled once inside.
I'd say give Wes a call/email for details, I just thought it was neat and posted given the previous questions about bringing home ele skulls, and based on the number of serious ele hunters on AR. Regards, Bill
27 September 2006, 02:07
AndersWow! That`s a great mount! I would like to have one like that... And the space for him..
27 September 2006, 02:53
700 nitrois it me or do the ear holes seem to high.....and the arches a bit to low other than that good mount.
http://www.wildlife-pictures-online.com/image-files/xeleclose.jpg27 September 2006, 03:18
Bill C700N - Yea, the focus I think was on the front view, and the zygomatic arch/ear area needs a little attention. I'd have the eyes made a wee bit larger too. Just like this guy I took a pict of in Zambia:
27 September 2006, 03:22
Graftonquote:
the results would likely be better if you can use the tanned ears
Reproduction ears are common on elephant mounts. Some look better than others. I think this mount looks good.
Real ears are very difficult to work with as they will almost always drum/shrink/crack etc..
With the high costs of tanning elephant skin for a mount and shipping the heavy cape, a total reproduction can be a good choice. If they are detailed well, a very good reproduction elephant, rhino, or hippo can be had that will look good and last forever.
27 September 2006, 05:34
KUDUBULLNow thats some good work!!!!!!!!
VERY NICE!!!!!!!
Ray Matthews
Matthews Outdoor Adventures
2808 Bainbridge Trail
Mansfield, Texas 76063
27 September 2006, 05:43
Jarrodquote:
Originally posted by dogcat:
AT $12k, that is less than a cruise and less than a cheesy big diamond ring that my wife doesn't want - why not an ele in the house?
A lot less than a double rifle built in the 1920's by H&H and you can look at it everyday...
If you cant take a cruise for less than 12K something is wrong.
"Science only goes so far then God takes over."
27 September 2006, 06:45
Use Enough GunVery nice.
27 September 2006, 07:34
analog_peninsulaTo be clear: my earlier comment was not meant to be taken as a negative criticism of the work; far from it. Rather it's a description of my inability to pay for such work. If you have the pockets and you want your own private museum, go for it. It would certainly be visually impressive; at least I would be impressed.
analog_peninsula
analog_peninsula
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It takes character to withstand the rigors of indolence.
28 September 2006, 10:08
NitroXquote:
Originally posted by Bill C:
I'd have the eyes made a wee bit larger too.
Bill
I thought that too. Still a very nice mount.