Shotley Bridge smallsword

[urbanspaceman]

I recently acquired this Shotley Bridge smallsword.
During the six years I have been researching Shotley swordmakers I have only ever seen three (including this one).
The hilts of the other two were also brass but not figured and pierced.
When I was photographing the sword I discovered that the lower surfaces of the hilt were copper plated. At first I assumed the upper surfaces had not been plated and they had achieved a two-tone effect, but closer inspection revealed that some of the upper surfaces in areas un-rubbed were also copper plated.
I believe, back then, they referred to this copper plating as Japanning, and it was vicious process involving the burning of a mercury substrate with consequent poisonous fumes.
In keeping with the copper bindings it is now obvious the entire hilt was copper plated.
Is this a common effect on smallsword hilts?

[urbanspaceman]

This was obviously a very luxurious and expensive sword.
As almost all of these bladed swords went to Jacobites in 1687 and early 1688 (i.e. before the Glorious Revolution and the change in ownership of The Hollow Sword Blade Company) and given the proximity to Shotley village of so many wealthy Jacobites - with Radclyffe being the nearest and most important - I am going to suggest it was his sword (he was hanged in 1716 for leading the '15 rebellion).
My next step is to contact our Jacobite society hereabouts to see if any records exist.
But, if there is anyone out there who might be able to shed some light on this issue I would be very pleased.

[urbanspaceman]

This is what it would have looked like new:

[Raf]

Or maybe not. The copper finish is more likely the result of surface enrichment . This occurs when an alloy suffers from corrosion which etches out one element of the alloy ,in this case the zinc leaving copper on the surface Not suggesting your sword has ever been buried but aggressive chemical cleaning can have the same effect. Lavatory cleaner used to be popular. Good for cleaning very dirty brass but can leave a superficial coppery finish easily removed with steel wool and polish.

[Will M]

I believe Raf is onto something. In the past I've cleaned brass and it resulted in this effect. Using acids can also transfer the colour onto steel components. The sword is far too early to have a copper base before plating with nickel etc. I believe plating began in the 1840's.

[urbanspaceman]

If you look at the earlier 'genuine' image of the sword hilt (before I photo-shopped it) you will see the areas of copper plating predominate in the lower surfaces and the areas where little to no contact has been experienced.
As far as I am aware, but I hasten to add I am not an expert in this field, copper sulphate or maybe copper oxide, I don't know which, was mixed with mercury and applied to the brass which was then baked so the mercury evaporated leaving a copper plating behind.
This was the same process used to gild those blue and gilt blades that became so popular.
Obviously, this was a hazardous process and life expectancy was poor, which was why it was a luxurious finish.
Electroplating was not established until around 1810.
My suggestion is that it was done for time at sea, apart from the excellent look.
You will also note that the colour I used to 'plate' the image was taken directly from the existing copper finish.

[urbanspaceman]

The other giveaway is the copper binding on the grip: the way it looks perfect against the copper plate finish but odd against the brass.

[urbanspaceman]

Originally Posted by Raf

Or maybe not. The copper finish is more likely the result of surface enrichment . This occurs when an alloy suffers from corrosion which etches out one element of the alloy ,in this case the zinc leaving copper on the surface Not suggesting your sword has ever been buried but aggressive chemical cleaning can have the same effect. Lavatory cleaner used to be popular. Good for cleaning very dirty brass but can leave a superficial coppery finish easily removed with steel wool and polish.

My theory of nautical purpose would actually account for the high copper content of the brass.
I've been thinking about this and looking at the use of 'Naval Brass' which apparently has a 70% copper content.
If the zinc is leeched out of the surface then what you say is highly probable and the reason the copper finish is restricted to untouched areas may well be its removal by wear and/or polishing of the surface.
Yes, I see what you are getting at.
Pity, I rather liked the copper finish and, as I say, it blends well with the copper binding. That, of course, may again be due to nautical purpose.
Thank-you Raf.

[urbanspaceman]

My studies continue:
"Naval brass", for use in seawater, contains 40% zinc but also 1% tin. The tin addition suppresses zinc leaching.
This is great, I am getting more and more acquainted with metallurgy: I love learning.

[Rick]

The process that you are referring to is called Ormolu I believe. Very deadly over time to the artisan performing such work.
Japanning is the process of coating something with a hard black varnish.

[urbanspaceman]

Hi Rick.
Yes, that is how I thought of Japanning till I set off searching 1600s copper plating and references were often made to Japanning.
As it is well outside my area of experience I accepted it till I began to see more detail about the actual art and realised I was on the wrong track.
As you say, the fire-gilding is called ormolu and is deadly.
With regard to the suggested copper plating of the hilt of my sword, I am now firmly convinced that Raf if correct in ascribing it to 'surface enrichment'.
I know this will horrify dedicated collectors but I am tempted to re-create that look.
Raf mentions lavatory cleanser by which I assume he means Domestos or Clorox bleach... hmm.
It can always be removed, can't it?

[Raf]

A couple of things for clarification. Fire or mercury gilding .Used to gold plate metal prior to the introduction pf electroplating in the 1840s. Gold is dissolved in mercury to form an amalgam which is applied to the metal . The mercury is then heated leaving the gold stuck to the base metal. Because the temperature is similar to that needed to blue high carbon steel it could be used to good decorative effect on sword blades and high quality armour. Yes , the fumes are very toxic .

Japaning is an entirely different process commonly used in the eighteenth century as a decorative protective finish for iron plate or copper items. Sometimes called Pontypool enamel after Pontypool in Wales which specialised in this process. Linseed oil is boiled down to a sticky paste and dissolved in turpentine together with pigments . Applied to the object and baked at a low temperature, usually involving several coats . The resulting finish is hard and very durable and could be overpainted often in imitation of Japanese lacquer. Often seen on military items such as hat boxes or trunks in a crude imitation of tortoiseshell

[urbanspaceman]

Thank-you Raf.