Mixing Metals

[Jack Daw]

I would just like to add small warning. When you mix metals, you have to be a bit concerned on possible chemistry issues. If you mix metals like copper, stainless still, silver it could be OK. But if you add some less stable metals you can end up with fast corrosion of one of them. I don't know all details.

I would check before mixing metals if they're in direct contact.

Just my 2 cents.


Mipi

Who told you?

[turpin]

Here is another fantastic example of mixed metals, courtesy of Tyger. Sterling silver thistle heads on brass.

[Strings]

Flintlocks in question didn't have any wood. IIRC, they were silver stocked with iron or steel barrels...

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Flintlocks in question didn't have any wood. IIRC, they were silver stocked with iron or steel barrels...

Presumably the stocks were wood covered with silver sheets? I suggest this because of the problems in casting items the size of even a small pistol stock. In addition to weight, porosity created in the casting process makes it almost impossible to end up with a smooth finish. I suppose the stocks could have been made out of sheet silver, formed over a mandrel in much the same manner Scottish steel pistols were made, but given that silver is very soft (compared to iron) and extremely malleable, I would not imagine this to be a desirable method of construction.

A few more details, please?

[Strings]

I wish I could provide more details: only saw them once, ages ago. They were in a museum collection, stocks were claimed to be solid silver (made for a prince of some kind, IIRC), and the problem of galvanic corrosion was pointed out as an issue...

Although it would take a great deal of work, casting solid silver stocks, then fitting them to steel barrels, IS possible. Would be a pain, but for the right price, it COULD be done.

Probably take me a year to get one finished, assuming I had the cash to cast the stocks in the first place (silver ain't cheap).

The softness of the metal wouldn't prove a problem for a matchlock: much less stress on the stocks from a black powder gun than from smokeless. Still wouldn't want to fire it too often...

And I think that's enough digression, in the open forum! ;)

[Schiehallion]

My opinion: Mixing metals is ok when they are highlights, one on the other of a single item. eg Gold on silver ..to accentuate the design....

But for me, no way would I mix different metals on different accessories. It's a question of being stylish. So I have pewter with pewter: Silver with silver. I also would never use chrome with silver or pewter. Even though they are both 'white metals' the colour is so very different! I don't as yet have any brass or gilt but for the same reason I would not put together different 'yellow metals'

Likewise brown sporran with brown belt and shoes. Black with black etc.

[OC Richard]

OK here's a photo of the Pipe Major of the Black Watch showing the gilt sporran cantle, sgian, and dirk, and gold lace, insignia, and buttons on his doublet, but silver waistbelt and crossbelt hardware and plaid brooch.
Note that his pipes are silver mounted but his bagcover has gold fringe.
Seems that in the military the idea of matching metals doesn't exist, at least in the dress of pipers.

[Mipi]

Who told you?

I'm electro technical engineer and we used to do some experimenting with galvanic elements in the school. OK, if this is a part of your garment, reactions are rather slow, while there is not so much electrolyte available, but still…. And it greatly depends on the metal combination.

It was meant just as a minor warning.

[jordanjm]

I like the look of several of those buckles.