X Marks the Scot - An on-line community of kilt wearers.

   X Marks Partners - (Go to the Partners Dedicated Forums )
USA Kilts website Celtic Croft website Celtic Corner website Houston Kiltmakers

User Tag List

Page 2 of 4 FirstFirst 1234 LastLast
Results 11 to 20 of 35
  1. #11
    Join Date
    6th February 10
    Location
    U.S.
    Posts
    8,180
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by Tobus View Post
    Since you have two, why not clean/polish one and leave the other with its patina? Best of both worlds.
    Good point, Tobus!

  2. #12
    Join Date
    6th February 10
    Location
    U.S.
    Posts
    8,180
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    P.S. - Timothy has other vintage clan badges available for purchase at House of Labhran, but they are selling fast!!!

    Check them out at:

    http://www.houseoflabhran.net/fine-s...sterling-silv/
    Last edited by creagdhubh; 25th May 12 at 11:05 AM.

  3. #13
    Join Date
    15th July 08
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    331
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by Tobus View Post
    Since you have two, why not clean/polish one and leave the other with its patina? Best of both worlds.
    Best idea so far in my book...

  4. #14
    Join Date
    4th October 10
    Posts
    632
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Tobus' idea is the best I think.
    My uncle gave me this pin; late 60's
    I wouldn't touch it with a polishing cloth.
    The older it gets, the better it looks. (in my opinion)

  5. #15
    Join Date
    17th January 09
    Location
    The Highlands of Norfolk, England
    Posts
    7,015
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    On the back of each should be three or maybe four small stamps - the hallmarks. They will be small, but you will be able to read them. The marks will indicate the assay office, the maker and the exact year. So you will be able to tell exactly who made them and when. Any competent jeweller, would be able to tell you.

    "A thing of beauty is a joy forever", so it should make no difference, but in the UK, silver collectors would be able to tell you exactly who made all their pieces.

    Regards

    Chas

  6. #16
    Join Date
    21st May 08
    Location
    Inverness-shire, Scotland & British Columbia, Canada
    Posts
    3,886
    Mentioned
    1 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    I would follow Matt's advice, Kyle, and buff the raised bits with a good jewelers' cloth -- at least the first one if you intend to wear it. That will leave the deeper parts with the patina of age. Do you know anything of the provenance? Obviously two distinct families and quite probably Macpherson. The second one I think is Pitmain's crest/slughorn. What have you found out? The first could be either Mackintosh or Macpherson, of course, but I think Cluny if it came from the same source as the first one.
    Last edited by ThistleDown; 25th May 12 at 10:47 PM.

  7. #17
    Join Date
    17th February 12
    Location
    Aberdeenshire
    Posts
    38
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    I agree with M.A.C. Newsome...

    Polish the raised areas and leave the recesses dark. These are the best looking MacPherson badges I have ever seen. I like how the wildcat in first one is in a different pose from the usual "rapant cat" one sees.

    Being a Smith myself, I need to get my hands on a vintage Macpherson badge like this. I've always put off buying a badge because the usual pewter offerings I see are awful.

    Chris S

    Chris S

  8. #18
    Join Date
    13th March 10
    Location
    Shirebrook
    Posts
    448
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    A tooth brush and washing powder IF you want a full clean, I would go with the cloth clean keeping just the raised parts polished.

    Two nice finds there Kyle

  9. #19
    Join Date
    27th October 09
    Location
    Spartanburg, SC
    Posts
    651
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    I would give them a bit of a wash, even if you do not polish them; a gentle wash will not remove any patina that might have developed. A patina can be nice, but there isn't anything attractive about dirt. I don't think the crests were intended to be worn in that condition, and I don't think it honors the entire concept of a clan crest to wear with an accumulation of old grime. Cleaning them would also protect the original finish and prevent corrosion in the future.

  10. #20
    Join Date
    5th August 08
    Location
    Lancashire, England
    Posts
    4,345
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    I like those Kyle. Something to treasure. I'd go with the toothbrush, soap and water plan to ensure they were clean and then a light polish of the top surfaces as per Matt's suggestion. Very nice.

    10 years ago, obviously I'd have had them gleaming like a new pin but I'm not in that game anymore and I think they look better showing a bit of age.
    Last edited by English Bloke; 28th May 12 at 10:25 AM. Reason: can't spell.

Page 2 of 4 FirstFirst 1234 LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

» Log in

User Name:

Password:

Not a member yet?
Register Now!
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v4.2.0