Advice on Removing Tarnish From Silver Cantle

[Good Egg]

I'd be very surprised if you are unable to remove the cantle. If you can you can use a silver dip. If you are unable to get it off then protect the rest of the sporran by sliding bits of plastic card and plastic bags under the cantle. You can then work on it with silver paste.

You could also seek the advice of a local jeweler. A working craftsman not a retailer of jewelery.

[rsvpiper]

Try a wee bit of washing powder(for your clothes) and a tooth brush add a wee bit of water and brush away, that worked very well on brass and white metal cap badges for me, Mind i would try it on say the inside of the cantle first

[csbdr]

I am familiar with patina however, aren't tarnish and patina two different things?

Also I mentioned a polishing cloth not compounds and chemicals.

I don't have a problem with patina, but I do have a problem with a sterling silver cantle being brown and black.

What I am trying to do is find a safe way of removing the heavy tarnish.

Iguess it depends on your point of view. Take coins, for instance. Tarnish IS patina there. Polished silver coins are beautiful, but if you remove the patina/tarnish the value is VERY adversely affected.

You've recieved goo advice on removal. If you have a piece whos VALUE you are concerned about, I'd have it appraised and ask the appraiser about the polishing and what effect it would have. If not, definately polishish it.

[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."

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Oh yeah? Well my butler can out-polish your butler, any day.

[ThistleDown]

Oh yeah? Well my butler can out-polish your butler, any day.

I passed your message on and here was William's reply: "We don't accept challenges such as that do we, sir? Have you not always told me there must be significant silver on the table first and in the wager, sir?"

Rex

[piperdbh]

Well, MY butler says to sell the silver, buy stainless steel, and use the time saved from not having to polish the silver to go to the lake!