Help with Black Watch Cap badge please

[NEMO]

HI,dosent look white metal but not quite brass,Is jt just a normal corroded example please ?

[Stma]

Hi, surely this is dulled brass, no? I would imagine that white metal would not dull ins this way, but I might be mistaken.....

[leigh kitchen]

I have seen white metal badges discoloured to a dull brass colour, I have a Prussian pioneer's pikelhaube which I purchased as an infantryman's with brass fittings and then found had white metal fittings under a thick layer of nicotine staining from cigarette smoke, a Grenadier Guards WO's Forage Cap with what appeared to be an all gilt badge but turned out to have a gilt grenade with white metal device.
I'm not, however suggesting that this Black Watch badge is discoloured by tobacco smoke.

[Sonofacqms]

Try a gentle clean with soap and water , , !

Rob

[Stma]

As you already probably know, brass and copper when gently rubbed in the hand / with fingers leave a coppery / brassy metallic odour. You can see and test this with old brass components / copper coins. It might be worth trying to see if this is the case using the edge of the badge but obviously with extreme gentle care? Just thought I would mention this in case this idea is of any use......

[Luke H]

Discoloured Wm due to damp / oxidisation.

Submerge it in distilled vinegar and within 5-10 mins it’ll be back to Wm again.

[NEMO]

Thank you all gents for your help.

[cbuehler]

Originally Posted by Luke H

Discoloured Wm due to damp / oxidisation.

Submerge it in distilled vinegar and within 5-10 mins it’ll be back to Wm again.

Fully agree. I too have seen this on badges. Gilding metal, sometimes referred to as brass, has a different color when heavily patinated.

CB