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#1
10-09-09, 06:58 PM
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Silver Testing
Copied this from an old book 10,000 trade secrets
Silver testing Retlaw.
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Its to be hoped that there is intelligent life on other planets, because there's sod all on this one. Nephew of Walter Holmes. Last of the original Accrington Pals to be killed in action 29-09-1918 1730 hrs. 
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#2
10-09-09, 07:42 PM
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Oh great, so if I understand this chart correctly, a very beautiful silver badge will be permanently stained by testing the purity of it??
WOW I hope I have a reading comprehension problem.
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Cliff http://www.irishregimentofcanada.ca
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#3
10-09-09, 08:07 PM
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Quote:
No, you wash it off and wipe clean, you don't get things back from a jewellers with stains on, they use acids for testing metals. Retlaw.
__________________
Its to be hoped that there is intelligent life on other planets, because there's sod all on this one. Nephew of Walter Holmes. Last of the original Accrington Pals to be killed in action 29-09-1918 1730 hrs.
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#4
11-09-09, 12:49 AM
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Quote:
 I seem to remember needing this very info for something years ago but I can't think what it was now, maybe a dubious looking sweetheat brooch. If a tiny amount of the acid solution is used and it's done in as discrete a place as possible on the reverse of a badge, then I see no reason why this technique shouldn't be used. Having said that, I would have to see the effects of any staining on a low-value item first!!. Cheers, Kev C
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#5
11-09-09, 05:45 AM
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Hi Guys,
Looks like you can use it on aluminium with no residual stain. This might come in useful... Regards Chris
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#6
11-09-09, 11:17 AM
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Do you see staining on jewelery in a pawn shop window, they will have used the acid test to make sure they've not been done by some conman. Retlaw.
__________________
Its to be hoped that there is intelligent life on other planets, because there's sod all on this one. Nephew of Walter Holmes. Last of the original Accrington Pals to be killed in action 29-09-1918 1730 hrs.
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#7
11-09-09, 02:57 PM
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I agree Retlaw, the chances of staining are minimised if the acid solution is washed-off immediately after the results are known. No, I think so long as the silver test especially is used only when the authenticity of a badge is called into question, then it's useful information for the collector. Some time ago on ebay, there was a guy selling fake silver AAC and glider pilot badges. He'd take a modern restrike, fill the rear of the badge with solder to make it appear solid and then hand-stamp "SILVER" on it. You could tell they were fakes simply by how the solder had stetched and distorted as the stamp had been applied - but, I dare say these badges still managed to fool a few inexperienced collectors. Many of us know about the burn test and to use a UV lamp on dubious cloth badges but as far as I'm aware, there's no equivalent test for metal..until now!. Cheers, Kev C
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#8
11-09-09, 08:11 PM
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Burn test is a bit final but UV light is a great aid although not 100% for German WWII items. Lots of fake stuff around these days we all need to know about. Regards Chris
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#9
11-09-09, 09:32 PM
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The burn test for cloth I've used involves teasing a very tiny amount of material from the badge and, using a flame, igniting it to see how it burns. I agree that using a blow-lamp for such a test would indeed be very final You're correct to say that UV testing isn't 100% accurate. Cheers, Kev C
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#10
11-09-09, 10:59 PM
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Metal Testing
__________________
Its to be hoped that there is intelligent life on other planets, because there's sod all on this one. Nephew of Walter Holmes. Last of the original Accrington Pals to be killed in action 29-09-1918 1730 hrs.
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#11
11-09-09, 11:42 PM
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Yes, taken the odd thread from an 8 Euro EKII ribbon, ignite and poof; it's gone which is a good thing. Not so keen to do on a 500 Euro Knights Cross ribbon mind. UV light test all to do with level of phosphorous in the material so I'm told - modern bleaching practices etc. Regards Chris
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#12
12-09-09, 01:54 AM
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Quote:
Quote:
Yes, and original cloth items will glow if they've met Persil washing powder e.t.c. - something to bear in mind if anyone's thinking about whether or not they should clean Grandad's tatty, old, army jacket!. Cheers, Kev C
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#13
12-09-09, 05:37 AM
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Guys,
you can always use the very quick test,mentioned by someone on this forum before....... rub the item on some white paper.Silver leaves a dark mark,nickle etc does not. Tried this on an Officer's 5th batn Seaforths badge.The WM cast main badge left no residue ,but the 2 silver feathers left nice black marks,as it should be with this badge. Also a silver-mix brooch left a lighter mark. Gives a good indication that you are on the right track, anyway, without too much mucking around & can be done anywhere? Cheers ! Steve
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