hi joe -

found an engraved blade, nickel-scabb arty saber with a lot of very impressive & beautiful fire gilt but regretably some areas of built-up "toxic green" crud that looks like it's growing; I mean it's pretty heavy. (otoh the price is right I think [?] - $300.)

I take your point about sudsy ammonia but is there anything else to loosen then easily remove the verdigris or whatever?

and shd. one use the sudsy w/an old toothbrush? I realize where the green comes off there's just gonna be plain brass underneath. renwax
can cover that I guess....

if I buy the thing I'll post pix,

thanks and '09 best!

dw

BTW ORPO joe: your profile's email addy doesn;t work....