Author Topic: 18th Century British Officers Gorget (Read 3817 times)

tallbear · « **on:** March 02, 2018, 02:36:20 AM »

I recently completed this copy of a mid 18th Century British Officers Gorget.These were worn by British Officers as well as were gifted to Natives with whom the British were currying favor.As per the original ,my copy is made from brass with a wire rolled into the edge for strength and is plated in 24ct gold.I used the artwork from a mid 18th century example.I opted not to use the original mercury amalgam process(for health reasons

) for the gold plating and had it electroplated.It is pictured with an original late 18th century gorget.Notice they shrank in size towards the end of the century.If you click on the photo's you will get a high resolution photo......

Mitch Yates

Greg Pennell · « **Reply #1 on:** March 02, 2018, 02:51:25 AM »

Beautiful! Hand engraved, I’m sure?

Greg

tallbear · « **Reply #2 on:** March 02, 2018, 02:54:24 AM »

yes hand engraved...hammer and chisel!!! It's really the only way to make the engraving look "right" !!!!!

Mitch

PPatch · « **Reply #3 on:** March 02, 2018, 03:28:45 AM »

Most excellent!

dp

Robby · « **Reply #4 on:** March 02, 2018, 03:44:18 AM »

Nicely done Mitch, very nicely!!!!
Robby

Martin S. · « **Reply #5 on:** March 02, 2018, 06:06:24 AM »

Excellent workmanship!

n stephenson · « **Reply #6 on:** March 02, 2018, 06:12:54 AM »

Mitch, Very Nice Work!! Nate

Tim Crosby · « **Reply #7 on:** March 02, 2018, 03:58:31 PM »

Beautiful.

Tim

vtmtnman · « **Reply #8 on:** March 02, 2018, 08:49:56 PM »

That's amazing work!

B.Barker · « **Reply #9 on:** March 03, 2018, 05:59:40 AM »

Nice work Mitch.

Osprey · « **Reply #10 on:** March 07, 2018, 01:43:52 AM »

Wow!

They call me Chief Huntsalot if you want to curry favor...

Marcruger · « **Reply #11 on:** March 07, 2018, 04:32:05 AM »

Now Mitch, that is just ridiculously good! Were the makers back in the day able to engrave like that? You'd have been working for the king. :-) God Bless, Marc

tallbear · « **Reply #12 on:** March 07, 2018, 04:48:13 PM »

Marcruger

Thanks

but the engravers for the King were far better than what I can do...... Most officers gorgets were a little better than this as well.I'm getting there and each time I engrave the "cypher" it gets a little better.There is a lot to getting it "right".On this one I am pleased with the unicorn but the lion,not so much. Hopefully the next one will be a bit better.......

Mitch

Marcruger · « **Reply #13 on:** March 08, 2018, 04:17:15 AM »

Don't sell yourself short o' talented artist.

jdm · « **Reply #14 on:** March 08, 2018, 05:19:53 AM »

Mitch you could do work for the King. Your engraving is always top of the line.
Here's an 18th century one.

online free hosting

tallbear · « **Reply #15 on:** March 08, 2018, 09:19:44 PM »

Thanks for the photo's Jim ....most appreciated.I like the little reposse work....gotta try that on the next one!!!

Mitch

Justin Urbantas · « **Reply #16 on:** March 10, 2018, 07:23:57 PM »

very nice Mitch. Will you rub anything into the engraving to make it more visible? I am also curious what type of graver and sharpening angles you used. thanks

BOB HILL · « **Reply #17 on:** March 11, 2018, 05:55:30 PM »

Beautiful work, Mitch.
Bob

tallbear · « **Reply #18 on:** March 12, 2018, 04:33:49 PM »

Quote

Will you rub anything into the engraving to make it more visible? I am also curious what type of graver and sharpening angles you used

Justin
I will not as I've seen no evidence of it being done "in the period".Also there is nothing I know of that will patina 24 Ct Gold.It does show up a bit better in person as shiny gold objects like this are difficult to photograph.

Almost all of the engraving was done with a square graver sharpened with the 96 degree Lindsay sharpening template and then engraved with hammer and graver.

Mitch

Justin Urbantas · « **Reply #19 on:** March 12, 2018, 05:45:22 PM »

Oh I missed the part about the gold plating. I was thinking it was awfully shiny for brass. Thanks for the info

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Author Topic: 18th Century British Officers Gorget (Read 3817 times)

n stephenson