I took measurements on a beaver I am supposed to mount and came up with 2.5" x 40" (circumference) x 38" (nose to start of tail). The customer wants the beaver to be standing holding a knot of wood he (the beaver, not the customer) chewed on. This best matches BVR-50 in the McKenzie catalog but that would require some alteration. BVR-50 is 2.25 x 34 x 32. Is it advisable to purchase this form and alter it or would I run into more problems than necessary? Of the stack of catalogs I have, this is the best match I have come by.
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When beaver are tanned, they lose 10" to 12" on their total measurement. Yours is 78" and will be 66"-68" after tanning and rehydrating. Tan the skin first (commercial recommended, they are thick and greasy and smelly) and THEN when you have the pelt back, and tanned, and rehydrated, order the form.
I don't know what planet = came from but the must smoke some really strange stuff there.
The 50BVR will be your best best. To be honest, I don't recall having actually tanned that many of them. When they're fleshed properly and degreased with a GOOD SOAP, they're no worse than most small mammals. Then I tumble it in corncob grit, DP and mount. Tanning is certainly an advantage, but they tan fine with a good shop tan.
To modify your form, I recommend you saw it in half from the nose to the tail. Since the head is slightly turned, cut the head off at the neck and split it. Spread the neck in about an inch apart while leaving the nose pinched together. On the body form, cut short wires and stick them in one side. Set the feet flat on a surface and then slide the other half up to the wires. Push the halves together until the wires form about an inch or two separation. Then mask it off and fill the void with foam. Once hardened, sculpt with a knife and a Surfoam tool. Do the same thing with the head and then reattach it to the form.
Thank you for the detailed instructions; I will be sure and do as you have suggested. I was a bit alarmed by the thought of losing 10-12" of my total measurements...maybe if prepared and tanned improperly. I can't imagine that going unnoticed to all customers.
Thanks again.