Wade & Butcher - 1830-1837- rescaled back to life

[timwcic]

I had no intentions of doing a restro this weekend but that changed quickly. I rescued the W&B with good bones several years ago. It needed, other than a good surface cleaning, a nice set of scales. I wanted something visually appealing and period appropriate for its age. On Saturday, I found the perfect marriage. A blown out Frederick Reynolds at the flea market. The blade was past its prime but the scales will live on. They are a tight grained black wood (Ebony???) with a Sterling Silver end cap and domed rosettes at the pivot. After disassembly, the scales got a quick sanding up to 500 grit and polished on the wheel. I did not want virginize the steel, so I started wet sanding with 320. Worked my way up to and finished with 600 grit. A little work on the buffing wheel finished it off. Has a nice balance of patina and shine. Used brass rod for reassemble to match the brass rosettes. The blade has the Royal Cypher of William IV. That dates it to 1830-1837. It is a near wedge, a hair under 8/8 (.975) wide. I waited a few years to find the right scales, I think it was worth the wait

 

[Luecke2326]

Brilliant work my friend!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[timwcic]

Brilliant work my friend!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you Brother. Got to get out the stone next

 

[6Cuda6]

I had no intentions of doing a restro this weekend but that changed quickly. I rescued the W&B with good bones several years ago. It needed, other than a good surface cleaning, a nice set of scales. I wanted something visually appealing and period appropriate for its age. On Saturday, I found the perfect marriage. A blown out Frederick Reynolds at the flea market. The blade was past its prime but the scales will live on. They are a tight grained black wood (Ebony???) with a Sterling Silver end cap and domed rosettes at the pivot. After disassembly, the scales got a quick sanding up to 500 grit and polished on the wheel. I did not want virginize the steel, so I started wet sanding with 320. Worked my way up to and finished with 600 grit. A little work on the buffing wheel finished it off. Has a nice balance of patina and shine. Used brass rod for reassemble to match the brass rosettes. The blade has the Royal Cypher of William IV. That dates it to 1830-1837. It is a near wedge, a hair under 8/8 (.975) wide. I waited a few years to find the right scales, I think it was worth the wait

View attachment 922073 View attachment 922074 View attachment 922075 View attachment 922076 View attachment 922077 View attachment 922078 View attachment 922079

Gorgeous!! Well done!!

 

[seattleshaver]

When I read the title I was expecting to not like the rescaled look...and I was wrong. Nice scales for the job!

 

[MilkCrate]

Very nice job!

 

[Bad_B2]

Like you said a perfect match. I love the silver endcap, its the cherry on top!

 

[mycarver]

Don’t think that’s wood but black horn .

 

[timwcic]

Don’t think that’s wood but black horn .

Thanks for the thoughts. I did test to determine material. Without being too much of a barbarian, I did a hot pin test. Inside the scales, by the pivot hole, where the washer would be, a got the smell of burnt wood. Not that of hair or burnt horn. Also when I sanded, a got black dust, not opaque. If it is horn, which would not ruin my day, is a good choice of material for the time period.

 

[David]

Nice work, Tim!

 

[Ice-Man]

That has turned out Beautiful Tim!! Well worth the wait..

 

[alpster]

Very nice work!

 

[Snurgblat]

Very worth the wait!

 

[Jim99]

That came out great!