UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons German Sword & Miniatures Forum Spray Paint Gilt- Arghh!!

Here is a recent acquisition. A nice example of a WKC Nr. 1058. I had purchased this lady from an auction site.

When she arrived, to my dismay, I found that someone had spray painted on hilt touch ups. It was very subtle, but none-the-less, the sword had been played with. What really bothers me is that she had most of the original gilt left on the hilt, probably about 65%-70ish. So here I was tasked with removing as much of the spray paint as possible. Unfortunately, as a consequence of the spray paint removal, I am certain that some of the original gold wash was removed as well.

I wish people wouldn't fiddle with thier antiques. We know alot of vet families who are not collectors attempt to enhance thier fathers, grandfathers, etc war trophies. The auction photos made it nearly impssible to tell if the coat was original or not.

It's still a nice saber, but I just needed to vent a bit.

too bad there wasnt a chemical that would remove PAINT only, and not the wash.
still a great looking sword!

I hate when that happens!!!!!
As the war progressed,they used cheaper finishes.I have a Herder that I swear has gold paint on it.But it is original!!
Have had several Seilheimers as well as a Holler or two that had a muted or "funky" gilt as I call it.

Hi George,
I know there were touch ups as I found bits of clear plastic tape on the hilt, with traces of gold spray paint on the tape. Pretty conclusive evidence that someone had "prettied" her up.

I celaned her grip wire, polished off some of the spray paint, and here's what I ended up with.

It's a nice sword, but when folks fiddle with these things it drives me batty.

I had asked the seller after I received it, if he was aware who and why the sword was painted. His response was thats how he got it. He also went on to say, that he had a few other German swords circulate through his posession and "they both had gold coloring too".

That statement told he's clueless and is really a firearms dealer more than anything else.

I ran into that on a really nice early Eickhorn navy dagger. They had gold spray painted the blade etch panel so gold paint filled in the recesses!

I saturated the area with WD-40. After a few days it softened up the paint and I was able to remove it with a soft toothbrush.

I'll have to remember that. My only hesitation would be that saturation of oil would probably make its way into the celluloid covered wooden grip causing expansion and softening which could lead to difficulty with the backstrap retaining pins. I'll keep my mind open for that technique next time the correct opportunity presents itself. Thanks for the tip Mr. Eickhorn

This WKC is going to stay the way it is now. I was able to clean up the grip wires and grip, then hit them with a coat of Rex. Likewise with the blade, hit her with some Semichrome then Renwaxed her. Removed as much of the patch work that someone had done to best I could without removing everything that was original. In it's current condition, it certainly is presentable and structurally, the saber is in excellent shape. No grip cracks, no loose wire, no pitting or rust on the blade, all scres and even the runners are accounted for. Overall a very decent example of the WKC Nr1058. Definitely an earlier example though.

Thanks for the input and the kind words. I havn't been sharing my purchases the last 6 months or so. I thought id share this one here to illustrate the terrible travesty that was committed with the spray paint, and to also seek information regarding the scabbard throat stamping...which I believe I, FP, George, etc collectively cleared up in another thread.

Happy Holidays,
Tom