Jump to content

Nco Saya Paint


Shamsy

Recommended Posts

From the discussion regarding the odd gunto I picked up with the 'Roman numerals' (Parade/lightweight gunto thread), it was mentioned that lead based paint was used during wartime and that nail varnish remover (acetone) doesn't react. This seemed to be the case, as I was not able to remove a speck of paint.

 

However, I recently purchased a sword with an unusual green (or brown, colour blind) colored saya and I wanted to see if it was a repaint. I'll stop here and state: I was 99% sure it wasn't, as the rust patterns and patina were perfect, but I had niggling doubt.

 

I thought I'd try this acetone trick. A tiny bit of acetone on a paper towel rubbed a tiny bit of green off. But I was still 99% certain the paint was original. The details were too correct. So I tentatively tried the same trick on a further 5 saya, all different shades, all in various states of completeness. All made a light green smear on the paper towel.

 

So that leaves me to think that either they didn't use lead based paint or lead based paint is susceptible to acetone. Just thought I'd share this small finding. I have no idea about paint and acetone, so if you do, please enlighten me.

 

NOTE - No NCOs were hurt in the making of this finding. A very tiny area was wiped, a tiny little stain was removed, not at all noticeable and there was paint underneath. Literally only the smallest top of a thick layer. Believe me, handling one without gloves will do more harm.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Stegel and I were told a story about a returning veteran in Aus (can't remember nationality but could have been croatian?) who decided to paint the sword he brought home bright sky blue. That would be a sight! A bit of an exception though in my opinion, as I'd leave a sword as is where I knew the history of how it became so unique. To me that's just a further bit of the history of the sword. Hard to drawa line between valid sword hhistory and post war vandalism.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This thread is quite old. Please consider starting a new thread rather than reviving this one, unless your post is really relevant and adds to the topic..

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...