Nicotine patina on daggers!

[N.C. Wyeth]

Oh, and by the way - these daggers do appear to have a nice coating of nicotine to me . . . in addition to a lovely "patina" below that, I'm sure!

Brad

[Paul V]

Patina

Nice little discussion going here!

Nicotine patina is a term used and right or wrong,everyone understands
what you are talking about!

Now maybe some of you can explain why thousands of these daggers
do not have it!

Same daggers,same time period!

My friend has 2 exact SA daggers taken at same time that both
have a most pleasing gold nicotine look.

I was hoping more of you could produce some daggers to show
us.

Like the great dagger handle debate!

Its something interesting to ponder!

I believe the jury is still out on this!

One thing is for sure,they bring more money! Hard to find!

Many of us collectors have purchased these daggers that hung on a nail
for 35 yrs and saw the state they lived!


Thanks for looking and sharing!


PVON

[Tiger 1]

From your information, it seems the oxidization process on scabbards is a type of bluing. Just different agents applied to get the desired colour?

Is this why you disagree with the term "anodized" on early scabbards? Funny how I had never thought about how the finishing coat was applied to early scabbards before this subject came up. Thanks!

Yes it is a bluing process.

If I 'disagree' with the term anodising it is because it is inaccurate. Often mistaken descriptions are taken to heart by many collectors as 'gospel'. When this happens we do ourselves a disservice in truly understanding what we are talking about.

For instance....

Besides anodising there is a misunderstanding how the color is formed in SA/SS mottos. Or that 'burnishing' is not the 'old silver' oxidised finish that is sometimes put on at the factory to highlight details. In the TR medal field similar example can be noted regarding 'factory' vaulted LDO marked Iron Crosses just to name a few. Or 'gold' versions of the PAB, IAB or a 'bronze' GAB. I'm sure we can fins a few more inaccuracies if we look.

When we, as collectors use incorrect terminology we cannot move forward in our search for what is ultimately true about the objects we collect. I'm not talking about personal opinions here but facts related to the actual manufacturing processes used at the time and manufacturing regulations in force at the time the item was made.

Often these 'misnomers' become part of the collector's lexicon and there is little chance of changing this lingo.

Tony

[John Huff]

I can believe that any item could be coated with nicotine over long term exposure -- don't get me wrong -- but if you'll look at the two items that started this thread, why did the nicotine "avoid" the scabbards, handles, and eagle and just latch onto the nickle-silver fittings?

[N.C. Wyeth]

I can believe that any item could be coated with nicotine over long term exposure -- don't get me wrong -- but if you'll look at the two items that started this thread, why did the nicotine "avoid" the scabbards, handles, and eagle and just latch onto the nickle-silver fittings?

Hey Paul,

Only you can answer this question specific to your daggers - can you feel the coating and smell it? In my experience with the nicotine goop, it seemed to have a stronger attraction to the nickel surfaces than the painted, wood, and "blued" surfaces, but it was still there - just in a slightly diminished quantity in comparison. Let us know what you have . . .

Brad

[Paul V]

Nicotine on daggers

Brad

I sure will check ,but a cold prevents any sniffing!

PVON