The magic begins with at the 3D scanner, allowing for a digital file to be created. Once the data is digitally stored, it can be 3D printed. The intent behind the project is for the replica to serve as a way for museum goers to be able to actually see and feel what such a rifle, circa 16th-century, would be like. This practice is becoming more and more common for museums in terms of presenting and archiving, as they are able to keep originals safe from handling and harm while presenting almost an identical copy to the public.
In creating the replica, the Get Models Now team used a lead rod around which all of the rifle parts were centered. Weighing in at 5.2 kg, the piece measures one and a half meters. There is carving on the barrel and engraving on the trigger, and the team also added ornaments that were hand-painted, as well as painting the rest of it to look like real wood.
The rifle on the bottom is the replica.
“Using a desktop 3D printer, antique restoration specialists can reconstruct almost every museum exhibit, no matter what size it is, while saving a lot of money in comparison to printing them with industrial machines,” states the ZMorph team in its description of the project. “With the right amount of post-production, these 3D printed replicas can be used as movie props, teaching aids, or become part of interactive exhibitions to give people a unique opportunity to literally get in touch with history.”
