looks like something right out of skyrim!
did you use zbrush for this?

I did use zbrush :D

thats awesome
im fimiliar with maya, but ive never touched zbrush. is it a straightforeward program?

It's pretty easy once you get the basics figured out :) I've only been using it for a few months. Never used Maya so I don't know how it compares.

maya is crazy complicated XD
it takes a long time to learn the ropes.

Brass might be better because it melts easier and molds can be made of the design. Steel would most likely need to be forged. I suppose it could be machined or of a single block but that would require a powerful CNC rig. Unless the steel is stainless it will rust while brass would hold up to corrosion better.

I would be using Shapeways for any physical object made from the model. They have options to do 3d printing in pretty much everything from soft plastic to silver. :)

A plastic model would look the part but wouldn't likely have the strength required (unless they are using one of those really tough plastics for their 3D printing). Not sure how they would deposit silver but that's also a soft metal so they may just melt it and lay it down as a liquid and let it harden. Brass or steel can't be 3D printed, that I'm aware of anyway. If you've found a place that can do that, there are a lot of prototypers out there who would be happy to know about it.

Happy modeling.

Actually it is possible to print in stainless steel. Stinaless steel powder with an organic binder (glue) then cured in an oven presumably to solidify the model.