Introducing Jungle Master

By Fred Avan, RM908 and Arturo DelFavero, RM552

Some years back, Fred Avan showed me a nickel that he had purchased while we both attended the F.U.N. Show (example 2). Immediately I told him of an existing match that I had seen somewhere before, and that I would begin the hunt upon returning home. It took me some time, but eventually a match surfaced (example 1). This year I was able to secure a third offering by the same artist via eBay (example 3).

One thing that stood out about these carvings was the way the sideburns extended in a straight linear patch to the top and bottom of the beard. The hair on the backside of the head did nearly the same. This carving technique created a barren area of clean metal that extended from the bottom of the ear to the top of the collar.

Fred had noticed that the artist had rendered a hat that resembled a safari style design. Needless to say, some of the original names focused around a safari guide hunter theme. In the end Fred and I settled on "Jungle Master" as the nickname of choice.

The carving characteristics for "Jungle Master" are as follows:

1. A domed, safari style hat; showing adorned hatband with bow, and cigar shaped brims mostly extending to rim.
2. Punched beard and hair running parallel down neck.
3. Juvenile ears tucked under brim on example 1 and 3.
4. LIBERTY partially visible.
5. Dates removed.
6. V-style collars on example 1 and 2, with bow tie on 3.
7. Adorned lapel and shoulder areas, example 1 and 3 match the closest. Bow tie on example 3.
8. No or little profile alterations with consistent alterations to field.
9. Eyes enhanced on example 1 and 3.