another kris ( Lanti ) for comment

Battara · 30th July 2005, 12:48 PM

Nice puppy (woof!

). I like the silver work. I don't think the baca-baca is a later add on, though I do think it is of either white metal or a very low grade silver as opposed to the rest of the silver hilt.

kai · 31st July 2005, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

I don't think the baca-baca is a later add on, though I do think it is of either white metal or a very low grade silver as opposed to the rest of the silver hilt.

I'd have guessed at brass? At least the copper corrosion is obvious...

BTW, the greenish copper oxides should clean easily (without removing the patina).

Regards,
Kai

Battara · 1st August 2005, 12:44 PM

White metal is sometimes called white brass. A very low grade silver alloy could also give a greenish patina as well.

kai · 1st August 2005, 08:45 PM

Thanks, Battara. It looked yellowish to start with but on a closer look its left tip seems to be rubbed clean and the raw material seems silvery/white indeed.

BTW, do you know which composition the local low grade silver alloys have (had)?

Regards,
Kai

Battara · 2nd August 2005, 03:35 PM

Low grade alloy silver was mainly composed of 60%silver or more and 40%copper or less. The greater the copper content, the darker, harder, and more easily oxidized the metal becomes. Coin silver with 80% silver and 20% copper is harder and darker than, say, sterling silver with 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper (Note: by darker I assume that the metals in question have been cleaned, which, BTW raises the value in this case and makes it look shiny

).

30th July 2005, 12:48 PM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Nice puppy (woof! ). I like the silver work. I don't think the baca-baca is a later add on, though I do think it is of either white metal or a very low grade silver as opposed to the rest of the silver hilt.

1st August 2005, 12:44 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	White metal is sometimes called white brass. A very low grade silver alloy could also give a greenish patina as well.

1st August 2005, 08:45 PM	#4
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Thanks, Battara. It looked yellowish to start with but on a closer look its left tip seems to be rubbed clean and the raw material seems silvery/white indeed. BTW, do you know which composition the local low grade silver alloys have (had)? Regards, Kai

2nd August 2005, 03:35 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Low grade alloy silver was mainly composed of 60%silver or more and 40%copper or less. The greater the copper content, the darker, harder, and more easily oxidized the metal becomes. Coin silver with 80% silver and 20% copper is harder and darker than, say, sterling silver with 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper (Note: by darker I assume that the metals in question have been cleaned, which, BTW raises the value in this case and makes it look shiny ).