* The topic really IMO revolves around a forced change in materials (caused by a shifting of resources to military production). With makers in Solingen having to make some decisions.
Not wishing to use paint, zinc electroplating over steel for the scabbards was an obvious choice. But what about the mottled appearance often seen with zinc as it ages? And what to do with the aluminum fittings? And the contrast in the appearance of the different metals? (With the gold plated swastikas probably being more of a side issue because not everyone used them.) Zinc phosphate was I think also an obvious choice, because it has an even relatively pleasing uniform matt gray finish.
But unless the natural colored aluminum was also treated - it creates a shaper contrast with the scabbard. Which was avoided for example with the SMF’s. And by polishing off the more pronounced exposed areas of the aluminum fittings, it prevents having an uneven appearance as the zinc layers are accidently removed by wear/use from the aluminum. With the zinc base layer providing a base to adhere to for the gold plated swastikas. (They almost certainly also used a masking agent as well, to keep unwanted plating out of areas they did not want plated).
As for the scabbard bands, where they plated in place or later installed? My sense of it without looking into it is later installed, as some of the pretreatments might have been injurious to steel. (Not necessarily a fact, just my best recollection at the moment.)
* As for TW’s letter. I don’t have any problem with silver plating or re-plating, being offered by some makers. That is a fact. Although my own sense of it is that some could have “farmed out” the work to subcontractors like they did for so many other things (including Eickhorn).
* As for the “gold” colored dagger scabbards (etc.) that is something I am currently looking at. At this instant in time I think that some “gold” colored scabbards and fittings might not be (metallic) gold. But treated with something like a zinc dichromate, as an additional step in corrosion protection.
Regards to All. FP
Not wishing to use paint, zinc electroplating over steel for the scabbards was an obvious choice. But what about the mottled appearance often seen with zinc as it ages? And what to do with the aluminum fittings? And the contrast in the appearance of the different metals? (With the gold plated swastikas probably being more of a side issue because not everyone used them.) Zinc phosphate was I think also an obvious choice, because it has an even relatively pleasing uniform matt gray finish.
But unless the natural colored aluminum was also treated - it creates a shaper contrast with the scabbard. Which was avoided for example with the SMF’s. And by polishing off the more pronounced exposed areas of the aluminum fittings, it prevents having an uneven appearance as the zinc layers are accidently removed by wear/use from the aluminum. With the zinc base layer providing a base to adhere to for the gold plated swastikas. (They almost certainly also used a masking agent as well, to keep unwanted plating out of areas they did not want plated).
As for the scabbard bands, where they plated in place or later installed? My sense of it without looking into it is later installed, as some of the pretreatments might have been injurious to steel. (Not necessarily a fact, just my best recollection at the moment.)
* As for TW’s letter. I don’t have any problem with silver plating or re-plating, being offered by some makers. That is a fact. Although my own sense of it is that some could have “farmed out” the work to subcontractors like they did for so many other things (including Eickhorn).
* As for the “gold” colored dagger scabbards (etc.) that is something I am currently looking at. At this instant in time I think that some “gold” colored scabbards and fittings might not be (metallic) gold. But treated with something like a zinc dichromate, as an additional step in corrosion protection.
Regards to All. FP
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