Help needed with Tulwar.

[Pukka Bundook]

Just purchased another old Tulwar off e-bay and need a bit of advise.
It's been a very nice sword at one time, but I'm a bottom feeder when it comes to these things!
The seller thought it had been covered in silver paint or something, and I thought; "Good!....there might be something nice hiding beneathe all the crud!" (Some of the pictures showed promise)

Well, it arrived just in time for Christmas!.....and news not all that good.
It has been dipped in some kind of acid to eat off all the rust, and the silver in the photos is just bare metal.
It looks sand-blasted, but isn't, as the remaining silver does not have the same pitted texture.

So, My question;
What do I do with it now????
The blade is really nice folded steel, but with No finish remaining. (sharp as a lance , too!)

This looks like another opportunity to work on an old sword, without doing much damage.
Any ideas how to proceed?

Thank you in advance and hope your Christmas was Merry!

Richard.

[katana]

Hi Richard,
could you post some pictures ?


Regards David

[Lew]

Hi Richard

Pictures would help if you can post them.

Lew

[Pukka Bundook]

My intelligence doesn't run to posting pictures, but I'll ask my daughter to, when she gets up!....

R.

[Jens Nordlunde]

Richard, it surprises me that you write the blade is ’silver coloured’, as I would think it would be a ‘dull/dead silver’ colour.

I have a katar, which ones had am acid bath, I almost cried when I saw it, but I bought it an worked on it for hours – fortunately it was only the blade which had a ‘bath’. What you have to do, is to work on the blade until the acid look disappears – it is not easy, and it will take some time – quite some time, if I am not much wrong – but when you have finished, you are free to try to etch the blade, to see what you find.

Happy working and a happy New Year to you and yours.


Jens

[Pukka Bundook]

Here are the sellers pictures of the Tulwar:

[Jeff D]

Hi Pukka Bundook,

Looks like silver paint on top of the rust?

To quote Jens;
Happy working and a happy New Year to you and yours.
Jeff

[Battara]

Jeff you have a good point. It looks weird and silver paint makes sense.

[ward]

that is a wwII tulwar that has been dumped in muratic acid. you could sand it down but this was not a expensive piece to start with. a lot of work for not much return

[katana]

If it is paint it is liable to be acrylic or cellulose ( the paint, if it is paint looks to be sprayed on ...aerosol probably). Ordinary paint stripper should easily remove the paint, but do not leave it for too long as it will leave slight staining on the metal beneath.

Regards David

[Pukka Bundook]

Fellows, it's not paint. Wish it was.

I put some paint remover on it, no joy. got a creepy feeling, and tried some bluing solution...........and it turned colour.
Tried some 600 grade wet 'n' dry, and it is just steel.

Ward,
How do you know it's WW2?
The remains of the koftgari on the hilt are heavier and better quality than I have on the others. and to me it seems earlier, though I am No expert!

Does not the blade show a folded pattern?

Will send more pics ASAP.

Thank you for all comments,

R.

[ward]

that canvas scabbard is the giveaway. with muratic used on it start with 200 grit and work down. It still is going to take forever

[Pukka Bundook]

Ward,

the canvas scabbard came with it, but was not made for it. it is way too big and sloppy.
I must say I found it somewhat astounding to date something simply by the packing it now appears in.

Was heavy Koftgari used on WW2 tulwars?
I think not.

[ward]

What I meant is it saw WWII usage. Probably just enjoy as is

[Jens Nordlunde]

Well, now that Richard has told us that it is an acid treatment the tulwar has had, is seems rather clear that he is right. Not only has he recieved it, and has it in his hands, but the colour is what it looks like when having been acid treated - look at it, and don't forget the colour - never.
Now you know the colour, if you see one, run down the street where you live, screaming if may be, but don't but it, or you may be in for a surprice, that it is not paint.

[Pukka Bundook]

Jans,
I may be on the lookout for another................with Rust this time!!
I'd prefer rust to angle grinder and acid treatment!!

[RSWORD]

To answer one of your original questions you can definitely see the lamination in the blade. I can clearly see the wavy pattern along the edge and it appears as though it may turn back and around the tip which would be a neat and unusual feature. The middle portion of the blade would most probably have the larger, more open pattern that looks like large circular distortions. Most certainly a pattern welded blade.

[Henk]

I don't know either what happened with this piece, but RSWORD is right. A patterned welded blade.

As Jeff and Ward said happy working. I think it is worth the effort to get this tulwar back in shape and finish it with an etch.
Just like you restored that tulwar that was abused with a grinder. You did an awsome job then and I'm sure you can do it again.

[Jens Nordlunde]

Richard,
I had another view on the blade - and it is in a bad condition - in a realy bad one.
The fact that the pattern is in relief after the acid bath, does indicate that it is pattern welded, so take your time - and let us know - yes I know, but still.
Jens

[Robert]

This looks more like silica sand blasting with a fine grade of sand (it not only removes rust but also softer metals) than acid etching to me. JMHO


Robert

[Pukka Bundook]

Thank you for the words of confidence. It appears some have more confidence in my ability to put it right, than I have!

Robert,
I know it looks like sand-blasting. but on the pommel disc, there is some silver koftgari remaining, and this is still smooth, whilst the steel around it is pitted like the rest of the sword. Therfore iI can only think it was a pretty savage acid that was used.

R.

[Robert]

You are quite right, if the silver was not damaged it had to be acid. Without the benefit of pictures of the area with the silver koftgari I was going by the overall appearance of the rest of the sword.


Robert

[Pukka Bundook]

Robert,
I should have added a picture of the koftgari on the disc.
Will try and get one posted soon.

Best wishes,
R.

[Jens Nordlunde]

I would have loved to be with you when you clean it, and I look forward to the picture of the disc.
Jens

[Pukka Bundook]

Jens,
I think the camera is coming home tonight, Then we can send a picture....