This Sabre Has Measles.
Jun 3, 2016 16:51:53 GMT
Post by Uhlan on Jun 3, 2016 16:51:53 GMT
I am in the habit of cleaning up my antique blades, as I hate pitting and the like.
Some people still have the 19th century notion that what they call ,, patina'', or worse ,, history '',
are things to be cherished. For me and a growing number of collectors all the above is just the showing of decennia of neglect or bad stewartship. So, I do something to restore my blades to their original state and polish.The lines are made sharp again and if there was a counter polish on the ricasso part of the blade that is restored too and the blade is again a joy to behold. If anybody is interested in my work please go to the renaissance part of the forum.
Now. I did a lot of blades but this is the first time I have seen this phenomenon I encountered today. The subject at hand is an M1852/57 Prussian LC sabre, the first generation with the spearpoint tip. It has a very bad surface full of scratches, clusters of pitting and so on. Not the worst nor the best I ever bought. Very fixable in about two weeks.
So I started with the standard 80 grit and when I worked down the blade this started to show up.
As the ,, measles '' are under what was left of the original polish and as they are all over the blade on both sides and in the fullers, I have this notion they have always been there. The 80 grid brought them up. There must be a hundred at least.
I do not think they are repairs as the price of this kind of sabre does not justify the work nor the costs thereoff. Further more the peen is untouched and the temper is like it should be.
So, my question is: Anybody here who has seen this effect too and/or knows what it is?
Cheers.
Some people still have the 19th century notion that what they call ,, patina'', or worse ,, history '',
are things to be cherished. For me and a growing number of collectors all the above is just the showing of decennia of neglect or bad stewartship. So, I do something to restore my blades to their original state and polish.The lines are made sharp again and if there was a counter polish on the ricasso part of the blade that is restored too and the blade is again a joy to behold. If anybody is interested in my work please go to the renaissance part of the forum.
Now. I did a lot of blades but this is the first time I have seen this phenomenon I encountered today. The subject at hand is an M1852/57 Prussian LC sabre, the first generation with the spearpoint tip. It has a very bad surface full of scratches, clusters of pitting and so on. Not the worst nor the best I ever bought. Very fixable in about two weeks.
So I started with the standard 80 grit and when I worked down the blade this started to show up.
As the ,, measles '' are under what was left of the original polish and as they are all over the blade on both sides and in the fullers, I have this notion they have always been there. The 80 grid brought them up. There must be a hundred at least.
I do not think they are repairs as the price of this kind of sabre does not justify the work nor the costs thereoff. Further more the peen is untouched and the temper is like it should be.
So, my question is: Anybody here who has seen this effect too and/or knows what it is?
Cheers.