The head gap is narrower than the head width, They make heads wider than the track width to make them stronger, then they cut away from the sides of the head at the gap area to the desired head gap width and they fill all that including the head gap with a harder than glass ceramic. For illustration purposes I highlighted the filled machined area and the head gap with yellow in the picture:

http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/atta...1&d=1615224986


This is a JVC technical guide for VCR's but it's the same process for camcorders:

http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/atta...1&d=1615224986

OP, sorry for your loss. But wow, awesome pics! What camera/lens did you use to take them?