Prussian Sabre question....
Sept 9, 2020 3:47:28 GMT
Post by paulrward on Sept 9, 2020 3:47:28 GMT
Hello All :
I just happened to see this thread, and I thought I would contribute my $ 0.02 worth
I do not believe that the grips are Bakelite. If the sword is from 1889, and the grips
are original, it is unlikely that they are bakelite, as Bakelite was not pattented until
1911, and did not really get into large scale production for a couple of years.
What then are the grips composed of? My guess is that they are made of Gutta-Percha,
a black thermoplastic rubber compound from the Indonesia-Malaysia region, derived from
the sap of the Gutta Percha Tree. It was VERY commonly used in the second half of
the Nineteenth Century, until over-harvesting caused the collapse of supply. ( it was
widely used to insulate wiring and especially submarine telegraph and telephone cables. )
It is often seen on pistol grips from that period, and other small items. If cracked,
it can be repaired using Gel Type Cyanoacrylate Glue ( Super Glue ) and then sanded with
progressively finer grits of Silicon Carbide wet-or-dry paper.
Respectfully :
Paul R. Ward
I just happened to see this thread, and I thought I would contribute my $ 0.02 worth
I do not believe that the grips are Bakelite. If the sword is from 1889, and the grips
are original, it is unlikely that they are bakelite, as Bakelite was not pattented until
1911, and did not really get into large scale production for a couple of years.
What then are the grips composed of? My guess is that they are made of Gutta-Percha,
a black thermoplastic rubber compound from the Indonesia-Malaysia region, derived from
the sap of the Gutta Percha Tree. It was VERY commonly used in the second half of
the Nineteenth Century, until over-harvesting caused the collapse of supply. ( it was
widely used to insulate wiring and especially submarine telegraph and telephone cables. )
It is often seen on pistol grips from that period, and other small items. If cracked,
it can be repaired using Gel Type Cyanoacrylate Glue ( Super Glue ) and then sanded with
progressively finer grits of Silicon Carbide wet-or-dry paper.
Respectfully :
Paul R. Ward
