Bullet and Shell Civil War Projectiles Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: dlw1610 on June 16, 2019, 04:43:03 PM

Title: GAR Painted Battlefield Souvenir
Post by: dlw1610 on June 16, 2019, 04:43:03 PM

I just bought a Boyle, Gamble & McFee saber bayonet painted by a GAR post with old radiator gold paint.   Am thinking of removing the paint except for traces to maintain the provenance.  Any thoughts?

Title: Re: GAR Painted Battlefield Souvenir
Post by: redbob on June 16, 2019, 09:08:49 PM

I believe that the GAR must have gotten a good deal on gold and silver paint as they seem to have painted anything metal that they got their hands on one of these two colors. I have an 8" solid shot from a GAR Post that is painted silver.

Title: Re: GAR Painted Battlefield Souvenir
Post by: dlw1610 on June 17, 2019, 06:27:43 AM

Thanks redbob. since the saber bayonet is mine I removed the gold paint leaving just enough to keeps its GAR provenance.  Makes no sense to paint a cast brass handle & the blade wasn't badly pitted.  Looks 100% better to me

Title: Re: GAR Painted Battlefield Souvenir
Post by: CarlS on June 17, 2019, 11:37:00 PM

I'd remove it too unless it had some provenance or ownership painted on it.  Nice pickup.

Title: Re: GAR Painted Battlefield Souvenir
Post by: speedenforcer on June 19, 2019, 08:11:25 AM

I agree with removing it as well. kind of. It is part of its history but just like yall I like it untouched since 1865. I have an Ames 1840 heavy cavalry sabre dated 1857 that the scabbard once was painted gold. Now you can only see a little in the crevices around the throat and hangers.