Flavio,
I know that old rust can be hard to remove, but using an iron brush, is something I would never have done. However as it has not been scratched by the ‘violent’ treatment, I think it is more likely that it is enamel than lacquer, as I don’t think lacquer would stand such a treatment. Enamel is very hard, but you can scratch it, or even make it break, as it, in a way is like coloured glass, so you are lucky not to have lost any of it, but please be careful in the future. If it is not lacquer or enamel, then I don’t know what it is. If you get a weapon with silver or gold koftgari or inlay, you will have to be very careful, as there can be rust under the inlay, and this can/will easily make the decoration fall off if it is treated too roughly.
Jens
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