Dee Hartmann Posted May 30, 2022 Share Posted May 30, 2022 I came across a 1934 Franklin Seahorse hood ornament in one of our old barns..It is in nice shape except a wing in missing..anyone know a reputable restoration company that can restore this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walt G Posted May 30, 2022 Share Posted May 30, 2022 Franklin never had a sea horse as an ornament, photo please 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Bond Posted May 30, 2022 Share Posted May 30, 2022 52 minutes ago, Walt G said: Franklin never had a sea horse as an ornament, photo please I was just going to post about that Walt, but of course a Franklin expert would beat me to it. A photo sure would help. Terry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akstraw Posted May 31, 2022 Share Posted May 31, 2022 Perhaps a Franklin die-casting, but not a product sold on a Franklin automobile? I have seen (and own one) period radiator caps with the Franklin manufacturer’s name cast in the underside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne sheldon Posted May 31, 2022 Share Posted May 31, 2022 Franklin Mint? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akstraw Posted June 2, 2022 Share Posted June 2, 2022 Not Franklin Mint. This is what believe to be the story, though others may be more familiar with. Herbert “HH” Franklin of Franklin automobile fame actually started out in the die casting business in the 1890s. As the Franklin auto business took off, The Franklin Die Casting Company was spun off as a separate corporate entity in the late teens, and was at some time run by Herbert’s brother Howard. I believe that the die cast radiator cap that I have, and perhaps the hood ornament in question, were products of this company, which used a script logo similar to that of the Franklin automobile. After the stock market crash, the die casting company was absorbed back into the auto company. To address the original posted question, if the broken wing is present, then a number of chrome plating specialists could probably mend and plate it. If the broken wing is altogether missing, then a replacement would have to be cast, then reattached, and then the whole assembly chromed. This is quite a lot of special artisan work for such a piece, if you can find somebody to do it. I am not sure of the rarity or desirability of such an item, but would guess the cost of such a repair would far exceed the ultimate value. As far as who might do it, there might be somebody in the art or jewelry world who could. In our hobby, perhaps JR Custom Plating or Brightworks. I have no direct experience with either one, only knowledge based upon their websites. If I had one such broken ornament and really loved it, I might just watch eBay for a while and see if an intact one ever came up for sale. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted June 2, 2022 Share Posted June 2, 2022 You might 3D print a replacement wing if you could make a program. This might involve scanning the remaining wing reversing it and using that for a pattern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Bond Posted June 2, 2022 Share Posted June 2, 2022 We're still waiting for photos. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akstraw Posted June 2, 2022 Share Posted June 2, 2022 Here appears to be one for sale: https://thevaultms.com/memorabilia/1935-chevrolet-radiator-ornament/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Roth Posted June 3, 2022 Share Posted June 3, 2022 (edited) 20 hours ago, Akstraw said: Here appears to be one for sale: https://thevaultms.com/memorabilia/1935-chevrolet-radiator-ornament/ Unfortunately the Vault doesn't show pics of the base of the Chevy cap, and although the dragon might look like a seahorse, we don't have a way to confirm the Franklin Die casting, but surely not for a Franklin car Edited June 3, 2022 by Marty Roth (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walt G Posted June 3, 2022 Share Posted June 3, 2022 (edited) We will never ever know if the example that AKstraw is like the one that there is a question about, since Dee Hartmann can't find the time to show us even what they are talking about. It is guessing game, crystal ball time again to try to help people ( and we are sincere enough to do that) who could care less to try to help us help then. I will no longer comment on what people who are inquiring have to know........unless there is a photo and also some measurements to give us a clue if something is 14 inches tall or 4 inches tall. Just a waste of a lot of people's time. Edited June 3, 2022 by Walt G (see edit history) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Bond Posted June 3, 2022 Share Posted June 3, 2022 47 minutes ago, Walt G said: We will never ever know if the example that AKstraw is like the one that there is a question about, since Dee Hartmann can't find the time to show us even what they are talking about. It is guessing game, crystal ball time again to try to help people ( and we are sincere enough to do that) who could care less to try to help us help then. I will no longer comment on what people who are inquiring have to know........unless there is a photo and also some measurements to give us a clue if something is 14 inches tall or 4 inches tall. Just a waste of a lot of people's time. I note that "Dee Hartman" looked at the forum just 16 hours ago but chooses not to join the conversation. Walt, I'm with you - Have grown tired of trying to help those who don't have the courtesy to respond or don't seem to understand the meaning; of "DISCUSSION." Terry 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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