UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons The BCN Bayonet Forum Stag Scales

I've been looking at police dress daggers and have a question for those who have handled/viewed these through the years. I've noted several that seem to lack the darker "contrast" in the areas of relief (see several examples on Wittman's site now). I know stag is a natural product but such variation seems odd to me. Did the original makers enhance the scales with addtional coloring in the recessed areas? If this is the case, cleaning may have reduced the darker coloring in some of the scales I've seen. I suppose a lacquer or shellac type furniture finish could even have been used. Just curious, I know my buck antlers don't have such dark coloring. Thanks!

Well some manufacturers do dye the stag to enhance the color.

Well, I am not sure if they were dyed but I think that in my example, the contrast is natural. I have an ALCOSO short staghorn piece and on one side, you see the contrast you are referring to and on the other, you do not. Now, I am pretty certain that the piece has not been messed with and I suspect that someone would not clean one side only. Just my 50 cents.

JAN

One side may have faded due to prolonged exposure to sunlight over time

Jan,

AJ's right, exposure to sunlight can change the coloring of the stag grip plates. Can you post a pic of your piece(s)?

Billy,

I'm not certain if your question was directed to me. As I indicated originally, I've been looking at police bayos form the TR era. As an example of what I am talking about please see the following link. I don't have one of these (yet) and don't mean to detract from anything on Wittmann's site just curious if these were originally color contrast or not.

Wittmann example

Thanks for your input!

67,

Yup, I meant the response to you, sorry about that. Nice looking piece from Wittmann's site you posted, & I see what you mean about the obverse grip plate, most pale looking especially when compared with the reverse. I'm no expert on these pieces but I'll agree that the disparity on this piece is somewhat unusual. I think it's possible it was bleached out from a lot of ultraviolet rays from sunlight. The camera's flash might have washed out the color somewhat too.

quote:

Originally posted by Billy G.:
Jan,

AJ's right, exposure to sunlight can change the coloring of the stag grip plates. Can you post a pic of your piece(s)?

Hi Billy,

here's the nice contrast I was referring to on one of my pieces:

http://daggers.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/172097573/...760081785#7760081785

Now, I also have an Alcoso as I mentioned, where there is a difference in the colouring of the grips. Here's the link:

http://daggers.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/172097573/...480073585#5480073585

I hope you guys can see what I was referring to. Thanks a lot.

JAN