Roland,
The blade is certainly tempered/heat-treated if it is that tough. My first impression was that it is sheer steel or sham wootz, although it has appearance of wootz near the edge. The fact that initial etch did not improve the pattern also indicative of that. Let's hope better etch will reveal it better.
There is no need to submerge the whole blade in the tube, I think it is not necessary in case of one sword. The same result can be achieved just by applying the etchant with the brush or cotton cloth.
I also noticed the central fuller... not exactly as I'd expect on early Ottoman blade...
... just initial observations at this point.
Are those gray lines part of the pattern or incised/cut on the surface?
Great job polishing the blade by the way. Outstanding!
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Also, can we see closeup of the hilt and cross? Is handle made of stone or hardwood?
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