A Gentleman's Challenge #6 - "Junk in the Trunk"

[Der Tinkermann]

Nicely build Mr. Endeavor!Maybe staining the woodbase a dark color is a good idea?

[Endeavour Cull]

Nicely build Mr. Endeavor! Maybe staining the woodbase a dark color is a good idea?

Thanks for your kind words.
Staining materials like paint or shoe-polish weren't available on the planet due to the low air pressure. It vaporizes as soon you open the lid. 

(Actually i am not a paint or dark stain kind of guy).
Sometimes it can be really beautiful, but I like the bare wood to much to hide it behind a layer of stain (I know it's not a very Victorian point of view  ).
And I am always scared i ruin it and then i can't get it back the way it was).

I really am curious to the other entries.
I hope the contestants don't forget to entry, otherwise i get of with the price money to easily.

[The Squire]

Yes, Mr. Cull, I am working on a box and I do hope to finish on time. It has been many years since I have undertaken a project quite like this one and I am having to re-learn some skills. Leatherwork, especially, has been a lesson in trying to remember my Boy Scout techniques. Ha!

[The Squire]

This is the Anti-Dessicant Humidor of Governour Archibald Capability Leicester-Brown, former Magistrate of Her Majesty’s Air Station of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It was made to commemorate the capture and execution of the notorious Air Pirate Don Miguel Sangriento el Barbacastaña. When this item came up for auction at Christy-Sotheby’s dispersal of the estate of Leicester-Brown’s nephew, I just had to have it. Unfortunately,we have not been able to open it...some sort of trick lock.



Sir Leicester-Brown had the skin of the pirate’s right buttock tanned with his own brains, and then tooled and tinted with Don Miguel’s be-monocled likeness smoking his trademark Robusto Cigar, and used as the cover of the humidor. In the lower right corner is the famous Cartageña Topaz, with which the Lady Barbara was betrayed into revealing the secret air cavern of her lover, the dashing (though bloodthirsty) Don Miguel. The handles on either side are from the mesquite handle of El Degüello, Don Miguel’s infamous boarding axe.

[The box is an old cigar humidor that I no longer use. The lift handle is cut off from an old fork - the feet are knobs from a bathroom cabinet - the jewel is an old earring - the handles are from an old piece of mesquite I've carried around for ten years, happy to use it. The monocle is an old hygrometer. The leather tooling was great fun.]

[Endeavour Cull]

That is absolutely fantastic!

As I recall there was starting a great controversy about tanning the buttock with a brain as a punishment in those days. Even for notorious air pirates.
You probably have got one of the very last of that violent era.
Actually i am glad that we left those violent days far behind us and that we now have some civil punishments instead. Like let them take a hike, joint twisting by the pool and burnmark their toast.

This is a rare piece and should have cost you amazing amounts of pecunia.

Well done!

[The Squire]

Thank you, Master Cull. It was great fun to do and cost me pas grand chose. Almost everything is objet trouvé. I bought the leather at Tandy on sale for $5 and the rivets were about $3. I bought some Rub 'n' Buff for $6, which is cool stuff, and I think I have a lifetime supply. The paint I already had from other projects. The leather tools have followed me around in a little box for 40 years - this was the first time I've used them in all that time! The humidor was originally about $30 with some cigars thrown in, but that was years ago. I loved your moth-trap apparatus, and hope that my next project will tend more to the fantastic and the scientific. But with this first effort I thought to make a steampunky thing that I might actually use. (I already have cigars in the humidor)

The story behind the object is how I really wanted to propel my energy. It just kept getting weirder and more fun....and there's more to come about the box and what's inside - once we can get it open!

Here's another image of the tooling.

[RoseOak]

Can I get away with a napkin ring as a dining set utensil?

[Endeavour Cull]

@RoseOak: In victorian times certainly, but i am not making the rules.

@squire: The leather carving is very exotic (Just like the pirates of the Caribbean). I love the expression on his face and if this is your first project i can't wait to see more of your creations!

[RoseOak]

Well I have a utensil (butter knife) in my piece that I've just engraved so hopefully pics tomorrow

[Nefthys]

Can I get away with a napkin ring as a dining set utensil?

Certainly, the thought hadn't occurred to me. But in my household napkin rings are a very essential utensil.

[RoseOak]

Can I get away with a napkin ring as a dining set utensil?

Certainly, the thought hadn't occurred to me. But in my household napkin rings are a very essential utensil.

Well thats what I thought but I wasn't sure.

[RoseOak]

All these wonderful things are making my own effort feel somewhat paltry but I present for your inspection

The Airship Captains water canister with pump action.

This leather bound, highly decorated piece was discovered amongst the wreckage of the SS Aether Lady  after she suffered defeat at the hands of ruthless pirates. Having been hidden in the mess room this piece had obviously been overlooked by the pirates in their search for valuables.

The right side is decorated with a strip of official braid ( presumably from the captains uniform) and a water level to indicate reserves.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The left side this side has cork atmosphere filters to draw excess moisture out of the air and filter it into clean drinking water and is also graced by a cameo of a lady who we assume was beloved  of it owner, possibly a wife or daughter.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The belt chain is made from gold and is decorated with charms and fancies picked up on voyages to foreign shores.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The name tag is made form steel and hand engraved with its owners rank.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

This beautiful cameo graces the left side of the container and following further research we can confirm that it is the likeness of Lady Serena, the wife of Captain Gravewell.
 

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

It does work. You need to fill the bottle inside up with water and the pump does the rest.

bathroom item-pump action soap dispenser top
utensil- napkin ring and butter knife blade
item from nature- cork
jewellery- chain,cameo and ball charm

other items
cardboard,leather,thread,chain, braid,tape measure,plastic bottle,ball charm,glass heart and wire coils,brass button.

Tools
hot glue gun
needle, thread
engraving  hand tool

[Endeavour Cull]

That ís a 'grande' piece!
Luckily you found it and not the pirates. It's a very rich design.

[MagnaRyu]

I am regretfully having to pull from this challenge two days before it's deadline.  The reason being that due to my recent unwilling excursions along the the Moonbeams of the Multiverse (Code for working two jobs).  I have not been able to dedicate enough time to my planned item(s).  Hopefully I will be able to fully participate in the next challenge, when ever that may be.  Cheers.

[Nefthys]

Beautiful work RoseOak!


Now I shall have to think up a new gentleman's challenge....

[The Squire]

Señora Nefthys,

Thank you for coming up with this challenge. Though it involved eventually only myself, M. Cull, and Mme. RoseOak, it was an admirable contest and I appreciate your effort in initiating the competition. We were all winners. Do please come up with another "Gentleman's Challenge."

The Squire

[RoseOak]

Thank you. I agree, please do some up with another one Nefthys, it was such fun

[Endeavour Cull]

Yes, i like that too.
However it depends on time and affinity with the subject if i will join, but i like the concept a lot.

Pity some other participants pulled from this contest.

[MaxLibra]

I noticed it's been awhile since this Challenge ended. I just recently got into crafting my own, and would very much enjoy a challenge in the spirit of camaraderie and art for the greater glory of technology. Would an enterprising soul care to post Challenge #7?

[Inventist]

I noticed it's been awhile since this Challenge ended. I just recently got into crafting my own, and would very much enjoy a challenge in the spirit of camaraderie and art for the greater glory of technology. Would an enterprising soul care to post Challenge #7?

seconded!

[steampunk22]

I think i'll join in on this myself!

[Camillia du Chine]

Looking forward to the Challenge #7.  I will watch and wait for the rules to appear!

[Prof Thadeus Q. Wychlock]

Here here to all the above etc.
Count me in too Nefthys.

Gentleman's Challenge No.7 - lets go !

[Dave_G]

Under starteds orders.............Tool in hand....ready for the off 

[Prof Thadeus Q. Wychlock]

Looks like we have plenty of willing victims ... oops I meant participants.

:-)

Now all we need is the challenge !