what to do with baby gator skin?

[Austin]

I believe this is a stuffed baby gator, it's older than me, my grandmother had given it to me when I was young and its not too well preserved. I carried it on excursions in the woods and just about anywhere else for a while. Half the tail and the feet are gone. Been debating what I could do with it, the leather is a little dry and worn, its on a wire frame and stuffed with sawdust. I thought it might make a nice armguard and a longbow bow grip from the tail. I'd have a bit of leather left for other projects too. Any suggestions?
   

[MTArrowLauncher]

I think those are great uses for it, I am going Gator hunting next year, and cant wait for the hide to make stuff with

[Steelhead]

I think an armguard would be good.I have made armguards and quivers from smaller gators.That may be too small for a quiver it looks like

A grip may be possible if its supple enough or can be made supple enough to stitch on to and  conform to contours.I think it could be put on a straight grip like Hill style grip easier if its stiff and cant be molded easily.

you may be able to use it for a bowquiver as well possibly by sending it to a bow quiver maker like Eagles fight to assemble into a bowquiver?

[Killdeer]

Those were real popular back in the '60s. I had one, maybe it is still around here somewhere. Circa 1966 or so.

The only thing about them is that, being made for the tourist and novelty trade, I question the leather tanning method. It was made for taxidermy, and rudimentary taxidermy at that, not for use that would require flexibility and durability. The tails crack off rather early in the life of the mount, and as I remember, the leather is somewhat stiff and brittle. With its age, I would also suspect dry rot.

That is not to say that it is unsalvageable. Perhaps, glued to a pliable leather backing, you can get some more years of use from the little critter.

Killdeer~thanks for the time capsule!

[Austin]

Killdeer,  thanks for the info! I believe you're right on with the condition of the leather.  I was thinking I'd laminate it over another layer of leather, I have a plain leather armguard that might be great for that.
I'll probably finish or maybe superglue or finish over the grip.
Do you think a leather conditioner would help the pliability / durability of the leather?
Austin

[Killdeer]

I am sure that the leather is starved.
You want to be careful not to get it too oily to take a finish or glue, depending on your purpose.

Killdeer

[magnus]

If usable might make a nice bow grip.

[recurvericky]

I echo what Killdeer said about the quality of the leather. You could take a small piece and sponge warm water on it over a couple of hours. Then rap it in a damp paper towel and put it in a ziplock bag in the frig over night. Doing this will sweat the piece.

[JimB]

Those were actually spectacled caiman from South America,sold here as "alligators",when they were protected.

You will know better how brittle the leather is when you open it up.I would bet you could get some arm guard material.It will probably have a lot of "memory" for it's current shape.Leather workers often inlay sections of exotic leathers like that.

You might contact Scott Teaschner and see if he knows anything about the proper treatment and conditioning of that leather.

[Zbone]

Yeah, agree with JimB of it being a Caiman. When I was around 5, 6, or 7 years old, (around 1965 - 7 time frame) my vacationing grandparents brought two live ones back from Florida as gifts. Still have a couple old photos.  Looking back on it, they were only about 6 - 8" long and must not have been very old.

Being a kid, didn't know much about how to feed and care for them, but do remember feeding them worms and ants. They survived a few months until I put a big ole local crawdad in with them and the dang crawdad actually killed them.

Ironically, I believe the caimans are endangered now and alligators are thriving.


As opinion as what to do with your mount, personally I'd keep it as is for sentimental reasons... just my 2 cents...

[Zbone]

Just Goggled Spectacled Caiman, renounce the previous endangered statement. Seems they are the most abundant crocodilian species. Must have been some other species of Caiman where I viewed a program they were endangered… My bad

[Austin]

This little guy, even with the tail ripped off is over 24".
I'm gonna experiment with the small piece of leather shown laying on the counter to see what works best to rejuvenate it. Thanks for all the tips!

[Killdeer]

Your parents loved you more.
Mine was only about 15".   :(  

Killdeer  

[Zbone]

Ain't touch'n that Killdeer...8^)

[dragonheart]

I would enjoy it as is, and just buy an armguard.     :eek: