Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Some more objects from the RDG

katana · 19th May 2010, 12:35 PM

Hi RDGAC,
with regards the pitting on the blade that is devoid of active rust...IMHO the blade has probably been subjected to electrolytic rust removal or the use of a weak acid.

Kind Regards David

PS With regards galvanised blades ....I believe Mole patented a galvanised blade or the process of galvanising a blade, in 1860 ......"galvanized,that is to say, coated them with zinc, whereby the said machetes and cutlasses are preserved from oxidisation" . However I think this was mainly for Maritime swords ...which were often painted (black) to help preserve them in the 'sea air'.

19th May 2010, 12:35 PM	#11
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi RDGAC, with regards the pitting on the blade that is devoid of active rust...IMHO the blade has probably been subjected to electrolytic rust removal or the use of a weak acid. Kind Regards David PS With regards galvanised blades ....I believe Mole patented a galvanised blade or the process of galvanising a blade, in 1860 ......"galvanized,that is to say, coated them with zinc, whereby the said machetes and cutlasses are preserved from oxidisation" . However I think this was mainly for Maritime swords ...which were often painted (black) to help preserve them in the 'sea air'. Last edited by katana; 19th May 2010 at 12:48 PM.