Quote:
Originally Posted by cossack
In regard to this thread I would be interested to see what the general concensus of opinion would be with an item I have & have pondered what to do with - I have a nice Victorian RMLI HP which is missing a lug but it has a lovely dark patina to it, I was going to send it to Dave to be repaired but he explained that the patina may well be affected by the process of affixing the new lug. So, initially it put me off having it done but I wonder now what some of you would do in the same position?
Would you stick with the dark colour of age (which I do like) or do I have it fixed & then polish it to even out the colour?
Regards....Andy
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Andy - You raise a very valid point - repair or not repair ? I use a badge repairer who takes the view that, if you wish to retain patina - and that could include plating - then you re-lug with solder. If you want the entire item to shine then you use low temperature braze. The latter is always preferable for long term stability of repair but not always acceptable for the finish created. I therefore settle for some badge repairs to be soldered and retain the patina. If your RMLI helmet plate is other ranks' pattern, I don't think you have a problem losing the patina as it would have been polished initially, However, if it is an officers' pattern, you must think of the affect on the silver gilt plating so soldering would be best. Just my humble thoughts on the matter. David