Advice on Removing Tarnish From Silver Cantle

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I would suggest you avoid the use of liquid or paste polishes, and stick with one of the polishing cloths used to polish fine silver-- tea pots and the like. The reason for this admonishment is that after using most liquid/paste polishes you are advised to wash the article in water, something that is awkward at best when dealing with the bells and cantle on an antique (or even very new) sporran. I find that after lightly polishing my cantle with a silver cloth, I can clean off any surface residue with several wipe downs with a soft damp cloth, followed by a polish with a soft dry cloth until all the polising residue is removed. An old tee shirt works quite well for this job. This will leave the patina undisturbed in the cracks and crevices, but bring up a very mellow shine on all the raised bits.

You can pick up a jeweler's cloth at most jewelry stores, or at department stores that sell silver flatware (cutlery).

[ThistleDown]

Dram, I think the years of tarnish to make your cantle brown and black, as you describe, is going to require a much more aggressive approach than the suggested polishing cloth. Those cloths are perfect for the weekly or even monthly touch-up by the butler or valet, and the years of lovely patina thereby saved. Do buy one for use in the future and try it on an area where there is no engraving or chasing; you will immediately see how difficult your task would be. Your silver has had years of neglect and you may just have to wait more years for a patina to redevelop. In the meanwhile, you should do either of two things: (1) use a gentle silver polish such as Birks or Haggerty retail, apply it in small quantities to a soft cloth (not directly to the silver) and rub the silver briskly, or (2) take your sporran to a silversmith or fine jeweller and enquire about the method of cleaning he would use and, if you are happy with his explanation, leave it with him.

Rex

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

...take your sporran to a silversmith or fine jeweller and enquire about the method of cleaning he would use and, if you are happy with his explanation, leave it with him.

Rex

If it were me, I'd follow Rex's advice to the letter.

[Dram]

Dram, I think the years of tarnish to make your cantle brown and black, as you describe, is going to require a much more aggressive approach than the suggested polishing cloth. Those cloths are perfect for the weekly or even monthly touch-up by the butler or valet, and the years of lovely patina thereby saved. Do buy one for use in the future and try it on an area where there is no engraving or chasing; you will immediately see how difficult your task would be. Your silver has had years of neglect and you may just have to wait more years for a patina to redevelop. In the meanwhile, you should do either of two things: (1) use a gentle silver polish such as Birks or Haggerty retail, apply it in small quantities to a soft cloth (not directly to the silver) and rub the silver briskly, or (2) take your sporran to a silversmith or fine jeweller and enquire about the method of cleaning he would use and, if you are happy with his explanation, leave it with him.

Rex

I believe you are correct, it most likely will be a task that a polishing cloth cannot tackle.

Thank you for the advice.

[ThistleDown]

I believe you are correct, it most likely will be a task that a polishing cloth cannot tackle.

Thank you for the advice.

Our butler says, with a smile and a faint nod, "You are welcome, sir."