UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons Army, Navy, and Luftwaffe Forum A Dilemma

I have this early P.D.Luneschloss with 1st pattern WKC crossguard on the way. It appears at some point in its history the fittings have been painted. From what I can tell from the sellers pictures the fittings look in good condition under the paint, now do I attempt to remove the paint, if so how? and will I risk damaging any remaining plating / finish. Would you leave it as is.
I dont have this one in hand as yet but it has the stamped LUNESCHLOSS TM ( non helmet ), 14 leaf pommel, tapered tang and twin side screwed scabbard. Unfortunately not a slant grip. Your help would be appreciated!.
f.a.o. T.K. - You will get the next one

Degens, This very well could be natural patina! I have a couple daggers that have a super black dense looking patina like this. I may be wrong and it has been painted. Some of these early brass crossguards have a rough looking surface that could give a brushed looking surface. When you get it shoot us some more pics!! Post more if you have em! Looks like a nice one! Kevin.

Degens: I agree with Kevin. It is common for early crossguards to get that heavy black look. If it were allowed to patina and then stored and handled with the crossguard facing down, the patina may have worn off.....

I like the look of the piece.

It could also be remains of lacquer. Although I don't know why it would remain on the high points and be gone in the receses, I wouldn't be too quick to wash it off when it arrives.
If paint, Id try a little acetone on a swab in an area that won't show when displayed. If it is paint, I would carefully and gently remove it with acetone and a bunch of swabs.
But remember, once it's off, its gone. Take your time, be sure you want it removed.

Thanks for the advice chaps, I have recieved a few e-mails also which concur that this could indeed be patina and not paint as I first thought from the pictures I have. As you can appreciate it is always hard to judge a piece on its merits from pictures alone so will wait until the item is in hand to make a decision. I will post some high res pictures and hopefully get a general consensus before I touch anything, from the limited other pictures I have at the moment it is only the face of the crossguard that had me concerned.
Your help is appreciated
Regards

Agree not paint - IMO a very hard to find maker mark first one I have seen. If it wasn�t for the chip on the grip I would have sniped it from you at the end of the auction . A great dagger IMO.

This should clear up the paint issue.

It sure looks like patina. I'd leave it as it is. Of course that is always up to the owner . It is my belief that there are far fewer uncleaned not messed with daggers left in there natural state then cleaned/polished/taken apart ones.