Royal Oak Armory Gallic D

[Hildebrandt]

Here is an image of my recent reproduction, so that its features can also be compared with those of the original. I should point out that the dark separation between the copper and brass elements of the inlay seen in the litho is not evident in Robinson's photos, which led me to the conclusion that it was the result of retouching (for clarity) and colouring. I owe these observations to my training as a print-maker. I also inlaid the copper and brass elements into recesses in the brow peak of my helmet, as Brian did, but I chose to make a symmetrical laurel design and to make a smooth surface, rather than with definition between each leaf. The terminal leaf of the laurel is a detail that I added to fill in an unclear feature of the photos. I still maintain that the features that Brian labels as total inaccuracies are mere differences of interpretation, and no cause for such harsh denouncement.



Thanks for your kind words, Jay and Evan. There was certainly nothing wrong with you posting my helmet here, Evan, it just changes the context for its reception a bit, not having the maker describe the intention of his work. Don't hesitate to post my work another time! :-)

-Jeffrey Hildebrandt