Nice Spanish Colonial Sword

Robert · 21st December 2005, 03:28 PM

Battara,
Maybe you will answer a question for me that I have ask before on the forum but never received an answer for. On Brass fittings like the first sword has, is it better to clean and polish them or is it better to just clean them and leave them alone?

Robert

Battara · 22nd December 2005, 06:57 PM

I think the reason you have not gotten an answer is that there are differing opinions among the experts. I have even seen 2 opposite opinions coming from Sothebys!

For now, clean it but don't polish it yet. Bronze don't polish for any reason, but brass some say yes it was meant to be polished, some say no. Silver it raises the value to polish. Brass - jury still out.

Maybe more than you originally wanted, but hope this helps somewhat.

Robert · 22nd December 2005, 08:55 PM

Battara
No, not more than I ask for.

I do how ever know to NEVER polish bronze. I was hoping that brass would be in the same class as silver and is OK to polish. One thing about brass is if you don't wax it after cleaning, it will tarnish back pretty fast. Thank you for your reply.

Robert

21st December 2005, 03:28 PM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Battara, Maybe you will answer a question for me that I have ask before on the forum but never received an answer for. On Brass fittings like the first sword has, is it better to clean and polish them or is it better to just clean them and leave them alone? Robert

22nd December 2005, 06:57 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,310	I think the reason you have not gotten an answer is that there are differing opinions among the experts. I have even seen 2 opposite opinions coming from Sothebys! For now, clean it but don't polish it yet. Bronze don't polish for any reason, but brass some say yes it was meant to be polished, some say no. Silver it raises the value to polish. Brass - jury still out. Maybe more than you originally wanted, but hope this helps somewhat.

22nd December 2005, 08:55 PM	#3
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Battara No, not more than I ask for. I do how ever know to NEVER polish bronze. I was hoping that brass would be in the same class as silver and is OK to polish. One thing about brass is if you don't wax it after cleaning, it will tarnish back pretty fast. Thank you for your reply. Robert