Quote Originally Posted by arrg-isle View Post
Beautiful piece, and what an intriguing, yet simple, closure!
I've heard it opined many times that brass was likely so popular in the 16th & 17th centuries for exposed metal surfaces on Highland crafts because it was far more resistant to rust than iron & tin alloys, and tarnished less than pure copper.ith:
Brass was popular for three reasons:
(1) It was easier to work that steel
(2) It was stronger than copper
(3) It didn't rust

Those with money opted for silver cantles, same as today.