[Sean Flynt]

My DIY question du jour: What's the best way to get a convincing patina on new brass hilt furniture? Vinegar? Urine? Slurry of used cat litter? Mountain Dew? ;-/

On a related note: Does anybody have any experience with or knowledge of the model 1742 English infantry hanger now listed among the "new" items in MRL's online catalog? I've seen this piece in Atlanta Cutlery's catalog, but didn't realize until reviewing Peterson and another reference that this weapon was in use LONG before the War of Independence, even well before its modern assigned model date. The replicalooks like a decent match of the original but it's oh-so-shiny. Needs some abuse, in my opinion :-)

[Björn Hellqvist]

I've found that brass usually achieves a patina pretty much without any encouragement. Handling it a bit every now and then will make turn it a dull butter-yellow. If you want a real dingy, verdigris'ed look, I have no tips.