bcowern
Member
Here are pics of the underside of the grips off of the revolver with the dancing babe grips pictured in post #13 above.
To me they look to be cast.
Regards,
bcowern
DeGress Fancy Engraved Grips on Antique Smith & Wesson
- Thread starter BMur
- Start date
Here are pics of the underside of the grips off of the revolver with the dancing babe grips pictured in post #13 above.
To me they look to be cast.
Regards,
bcowern
Marlin engraving
I was looking through the 1880's Marlin Distributor catalogs that I have and noticed a variance between .75 cts and $5 for engraving offered by Marlin for their revolvers. I think the most expensive engraving offered by Marlin for their tip-ups may have included the De Gress grips. It does fit the additional cost of a hand engraved metal set of grips. Looking through other catalogs that I have the most common cost for in house engraving is at most $2 during that time period. Why the $5 cost? I think the extra $3 was for the De Gress grips.
Murph
I was looking through the 1880's Marlin Distributor catalogs that I have and noticed a variance between .75 cts and $5 for engraving offered by Marlin for their revolvers. I think the most expensive engraving offered by Marlin for their tip-ups may have included the De Gress grips. It does fit the additional cost of a hand engraved metal set of grips. Looking through other catalogs that I have the most common cost for in house engraving is at most $2 during that time period. Why the $5 cost? I think the extra $3 was for the De Gress grips.
Murph
bcowern
Member
Murph,
I would encourage you to preform an experiment and see if you still think each set of DeGress grips was individually engraved.
Go to: Two Engraved Marling Spur Trigger Revovlers with DeGress Grips | Rock Island Auction
This shows two different marlin tip-up pistols, side by side, each with DeGress grips of the same motif.
If you click on the "Open Full Screen" the photo will enlarge.
Once the photo is full screen, scroll or click on the photo image a few times and the photo will enlarge even more, until it is quite easy to to see the smallest detail on either pistol.
Pick any section of the grip on one of the pistols.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Now open a new tab and go to: Two Engraved Marling Spur Trigger Revovlers with DeGress Grips | Rock Island Auction
Perform the the same process as above. On the other pistol in the photo select the the same section of the grip you chose for the first pistol.
You can now go between the two tabs to easily compare any section of either DeGress grip, or the engraving on the frame and barrel of either revolver.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
To me there is an obvious difference in the details of the hand cut engraving on the barrels and frames of the pistols, and the washed out details of what I am convinced are cast grips.
The two different grips are essentially identical. The differences mostly from casting voids in the pattern.
Regards,
bcowern
I would encourage you to preform an experiment and see if you still think each set of DeGress grips was individually engraved.
Go to: Two Engraved Marling Spur Trigger Revovlers with DeGress Grips | Rock Island Auction
This shows two different marlin tip-up pistols, side by side, each with DeGress grips of the same motif.
If you click on the "Open Full Screen" the photo will enlarge.
Once the photo is full screen, scroll or click on the photo image a few times and the photo will enlarge even more, until it is quite easy to to see the smallest detail on either pistol.
Pick any section of the grip on one of the pistols.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Now open a new tab and go to: Two Engraved Marling Spur Trigger Revovlers with DeGress Grips | Rock Island Auction
Perform the the same process as above. On the other pistol in the photo select the the same section of the grip you chose for the first pistol.
You can now go between the two tabs to easily compare any section of either DeGress grip, or the engraving on the frame and barrel of either revolver.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
To me there is an obvious difference in the details of the hand cut engraving on the barrels and frames of the pistols, and the washed out details of what I am convinced are cast grips.
The two different grips are essentially identical. The differences mostly from casting voids in the pattern.
Regards,
bcowern
Comparisons
Bcowern,
My grips showed up yesterday. They are most definitely cast grips and the "alloy" used is likely a mix of metals that included copper/zinc/possibly some gold. It's a mix. Mine is heavy. See photos.
They are impeccable and wonderful to look at in hand. Now that I've actually seen them in hand I believe they were poured into a metal mold of some kind and pressed while cooling. That would result in the shallow or deep engraving and also answer why the figures appear to be looking in different directions. Caused by shallow or deep pressing within the mold while hardening. The resulting depth would be based on how hot/cold the metal was when pour into the mold.
There is no way these were made in a sand mold. The details are just way too sharp. I think we will be stuck speculating on the process especially since we can't compare several next to one another "in hand". Photo's just don't cut it.
That's what you really need to do is look at them in hand next to one another. I'm still not convinced an engraver didn't help them out and I honestly don't know what kind of mold can handle the very high temp that these alloy grips would require to mold and press them. The molds themselves must have been hand engraved to begin with and made of extremely good metal to handle the high heat.
It would have been similar to pressing out a coin but the material would be molten and difficult to work with. That's the only way to get the details to come out.
It's the same principle as molding a lead bullet but this metal would be at about 1700-2000+ degrees F! That's hot.
You can also clearly see that they used some other base metal to achieve flatness of the scale around the edge that meets the frame. So, a lot of work to make these grips working with molten metals that take a long time to cool in the mold.
Murph
Bcowern,
My grips showed up yesterday. They are most definitely cast grips and the "alloy" used is likely a mix of metals that included copper/zinc/possibly some gold. It's a mix. Mine is heavy. See photos.
They are impeccable and wonderful to look at in hand. Now that I've actually seen them in hand I believe they were poured into a metal mold of some kind and pressed while cooling. That would result in the shallow or deep engraving and also answer why the figures appear to be looking in different directions. Caused by shallow or deep pressing within the mold while hardening. The resulting depth would be based on how hot/cold the metal was when pour into the mold.
There is no way these were made in a sand mold. The details are just way too sharp. I think we will be stuck speculating on the process especially since we can't compare several next to one another "in hand". Photo's just don't cut it.
That's what you really need to do is look at them in hand next to one another. I'm still not convinced an engraver didn't help them out and I honestly don't know what kind of mold can handle the very high temp that these alloy grips would require to mold and press them. The molds themselves must have been hand engraved to begin with and made of extremely good metal to handle the high heat.
It would have been similar to pressing out a coin but the material would be molten and difficult to work with. That's the only way to get the details to come out.
It's the same principle as molding a lead bullet but this metal would be at about 1700-2000+ degrees F! That's hot.
You can also clearly see that they used some other base metal to achieve flatness of the scale around the edge that meets the frame. So, a lot of work to make these grips working with molten metals that take a long time to cool in the mold.
Murph
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Patent reference
Yeah,
I also found the patent reference as I mentioned earlier in the thread interesting that helped to identify the base material(copper mix Post 3) but for some reason I'm not understanding the process when you're dealing with molten metal in the neighborhood of 2000 degrees F. Can't seem to plug that into the description. Electrotype shell has me stumped as somehow handling that kind of heat.
Maybe you can decipher it for us Webb.
I've also found that patents and descriptions there of are very often a focus on ownership and the actual methods and final product are quite different. Based on theory vs practice. It's never as easy as you think it will be, takes much longer than you thought it would take to fabricate, and always costs at least twice your estimate.
Not to mention unforeseen problems that arise like 2000 degree copper and the final product not coming out of the mold perfect requiring an engraving to touch it up. Etc
If you look at the comparison photos in post 12 you will clearly see the boarder is totally different in design between the scales suggesting multiple molds or an engravers involvement in the final product saving an otherwise unusable product. I strongly suspect that to be true.
Murph
Yeah,
I also found the patent reference as I mentioned earlier in the thread interesting that helped to identify the base material(copper mix Post 3) but for some reason I'm not understanding the process when you're dealing with molten metal in the neighborhood of 2000 degrees F. Can't seem to plug that into the description. Electrotype shell has me stumped as somehow handling that kind of heat.
Maybe you can decipher it for us Webb.
I've also found that patents and descriptions there of are very often a focus on ownership and the actual methods and final product are quite different. Based on theory vs practice. It's never as easy as you think it will be, takes much longer than you thought it would take to fabricate, and always costs at least twice your estimate.
Not to mention unforeseen problems that arise like 2000 degree copper and the final product not coming out of the mold perfect requiring an engraving to touch it up. Etc
If you look at the comparison photos in post 12 you will clearly see the boarder is totally different in design between the scales suggesting multiple molds or an engravers involvement in the final product saving an otherwise unusable product. I strongly suspect that to be true.
Murph
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Hi There,
I'm not familiar with this process but some research on-line turned
up a considerable amount of information. As I understand it,
DeGress' process involves using an "electrotype shell filled with
type metal, or similar alloy, and concave in the inner surfaces ..."
Now, an electrotype shell is created when a one sided mold is coated
with a conductive substance and copper is deposited onto the con-
ductive substance. The electroplating of the "shell" continues until
the shell is deemed thick enough. Then the shell is removed from
the mold. The mold can be made from just about anything but
it is mostly used on non-conductive materials (like plaster, wood,
latex/rubber, etc.). The process was developed around 1837-38
and is still in use today.
"Type metal" is the metal alloy used to cast type for printing. It is
an alloy made from lead-tin-antimony developed to be cast at low
temperatures but have the necessary hardness and ability to assume
and retain fine details of the mold. I doubt the melting point of
the metal used in the Degress type grips was anywhere near
2000°F. Type metal typically melts between 500°F and 680°F.
And for "similar alloy," there could be other metals added like
copper to add hardness and depending on the percentage of
copper, melting point will still be below 1,000°F.
Now, Degress' patent goes on to say "I provide a press-block of
a piece of wood, metal, or plaster, of shape corresponding to the
inside or concave surface of the pattern-handle, and after pouring
melted type or other metal into the inside of the electrotype
shell I press into the same the said press-block so as to force
out surplus metal, and give the required shape and thickness
to the handle piece ..." This is simply laying the shell down,
filling it with molten metal and pushing a convex "press-block"
into the molten metal to form the concave back of the grip.
This "press-block" was said to be made of wood, metal or plaster.
If it was made of wood, it could not withstand the heat of a
metal much over the 500°F without busting into flame. There-
fore, the metal backing that was poured into the shell could not
have a melting point over 1,000°F (let alone 2,000°F).
Cheers!
Webb
I'm not familiar with this process but some research on-line turned
up a considerable amount of information. As I understand it,
DeGress' process involves using an "electrotype shell filled with
type metal, or similar alloy, and concave in the inner surfaces ..."
Now, an electrotype shell is created when a one sided mold is coated
with a conductive substance and copper is deposited onto the con-
ductive substance. The electroplating of the "shell" continues until
the shell is deemed thick enough. Then the shell is removed from
the mold. The mold can be made from just about anything but
it is mostly used on non-conductive materials (like plaster, wood,
latex/rubber, etc.). The process was developed around 1837-38
and is still in use today.
"Type metal" is the metal alloy used to cast type for printing. It is
an alloy made from lead-tin-antimony developed to be cast at low
temperatures but have the necessary hardness and ability to assume
and retain fine details of the mold. I doubt the melting point of
the metal used in the Degress type grips was anywhere near
2000°F. Type metal typically melts between 500°F and 680°F.
And for "similar alloy," there could be other metals added like
copper to add hardness and depending on the percentage of
copper, melting point will still be below 1,000°F.
Now, Degress' patent goes on to say "I provide a press-block of
a piece of wood, metal, or plaster, of shape corresponding to the
inside or concave surface of the pattern-handle, and after pouring
melted type or other metal into the inside of the electrotype
shell I press into the same the said press-block so as to force
out surplus metal, and give the required shape and thickness
to the handle piece ..." This is simply laying the shell down,
filling it with molten metal and pushing a convex "press-block"
into the molten metal to form the concave back of the grip.
This "press-block" was said to be made of wood, metal or plaster.
If it was made of wood, it could not withstand the heat of a
metal much over the 500°F without busting into flame. There-
fore, the metal backing that was poured into the shell could not
have a melting point over 1,000°F (let alone 2,000°F).
Cheers!
Webb
Last edited:
Costly process
I think ultimately the process turned out to be too costly to manufacture the extremely high temp Copper shell grips.
Imagine your iron bullet mold achieving 2000 degrees plus temp in order to mold a copper bullet. "Red Hot" temp is 900 degrees. That extreme heat would introduce many problems with manufacture and actually routinely destroy /damage metal molds.
Lead melts at about 650 degrees F and does literally no damage to iron bullet molds with the slightest care applied but 2000 degrees F would crack iron molds with a very small amount of moisture introduced like sweat from your brow etc. Warpage would also be a common result. So just the cost to make the molds would be hard to sustain during production. Making these copper shell grips quite valuable.
Later copycats like Norwich pistol co would produce a low temp Pewter shell. Pewter melts at 450 degrees F. These were produced in the 1880's. See photo.
I like them also but the process was much easier to produce as compared to the much more expensive and much higher temperature Copper shells.
Murph
I think ultimately the process turned out to be too costly to manufacture the extremely high temp Copper shell grips.
Imagine your iron bullet mold achieving 2000 degrees plus temp in order to mold a copper bullet. "Red Hot" temp is 900 degrees. That extreme heat would introduce many problems with manufacture and actually routinely destroy /damage metal molds.
Lead melts at about 650 degrees F and does literally no damage to iron bullet molds with the slightest care applied but 2000 degrees F would crack iron molds with a very small amount of moisture introduced like sweat from your brow etc. Warpage would also be a common result. So just the cost to make the molds would be hard to sustain during production. Making these copper shell grips quite valuable.
Later copycats like Norwich pistol co would produce a low temp Pewter shell. Pewter melts at 450 degrees F. These were produced in the 1880's. See photo.
I like them also but the process was much easier to produce as compared to the much more expensive and much higher temperature Copper shells.
Murph
Attachments
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Post script
Also,
This significant high temp issue also supports their rarity. To reproduce these copper grips would not be cost effective even today so modern copies or reproductions are highly unlikely. Even using modern methods the time and expense would outweigh the benefit/profit.
Murph
Also,
This significant high temp issue also supports their rarity. To reproduce these copper grips would not be cost effective even today so modern copies or reproductions are highly unlikely. Even using modern methods the time and expense would outweigh the benefit/profit.
Murph
bcowern
Member
Looks like Webb has solved the mystery of how the DeGress grips were produced when he posted the patent for the grips.
As stated in the patent, DeGress used an electrotype shell using electroplating. No molten metal involved in creating the shell.
___________________________________________________
"Now, an electrotype shell is created when a one sided mold is coated with a conductive substance and copper is deposited onto the conductive substance. The electroplating of the "shell" continues until the shell is deemed thick enough. Then the shell is removed from the mold. The mold can be made from just about anything but it is mostly used on non-conductive materials (like plaster, wood, latex/rubber, etc.). The process was developed around 1837-38
and is still in use today."
No molten metal used to produce the "shell".
The thicker the shell, the less detail there will be, so the shell should be as thin as possible.
___________________________________________________
From the DeGress Patent:
I take a properly-prepared handle-piece that is accurate in all particulars, and make a copy thereof in gutta-percha, plaster, or other suitable material, and form therein an eleotrotype shell by the deposit of copper in any of the known modes. I provide a press-block of a piece of wood, metal, or plaster, of shape corresponding to the inside or concave surface of the pattern-handle, and after pouring melted type or other metal into the inside of the electrotype shell I press into the same the said press-block,.so as to force out surplus metal, and give the required shape and thickness to the handle-piece, and at the same time form the holes required for the connecting screws or pins. Any fins or surplus metal are now dressed off, and the handle-piece is put into an acid to change the color of the copper to that of a bronze, and the handle is ready for use after the usual washing or cleaning; or the copper may be silver-plated or gilded, in the usual manner.
It will be preferable to insert a screw through the press-block for the shell receiving the end of the connecting-screw b, so that the thread for the same will be cast, and this screw will be unscrewed before the press-block is removed.
A pistol-handle made in this manner is a very beautiful article. It is durable and much cheaper than those now in use.
I claim as my invention-- The pistol-handle herein described, consisting of the electrotype finished exterior with a backing of type or other metal, as set forth.
_________________________________________________
Here is a video that clarifies the electrotype process.
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCTqGEPjh6g&t=146s"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCTqGEPjh6g&t=146s[/ame]
Regards,
bcowern
As stated in the patent, DeGress used an electrotype shell using electroplating. No molten metal involved in creating the shell.
___________________________________________________
"Now, an electrotype shell is created when a one sided mold is coated with a conductive substance and copper is deposited onto the conductive substance. The electroplating of the "shell" continues until the shell is deemed thick enough. Then the shell is removed from the mold. The mold can be made from just about anything but it is mostly used on non-conductive materials (like plaster, wood, latex/rubber, etc.). The process was developed around 1837-38
and is still in use today."
No molten metal used to produce the "shell".
The thicker the shell, the less detail there will be, so the shell should be as thin as possible.
___________________________________________________
From the DeGress Patent:
I take a properly-prepared handle-piece that is accurate in all particulars, and make a copy thereof in gutta-percha, plaster, or other suitable material, and form therein an eleotrotype shell by the deposit of copper in any of the known modes. I provide a press-block of a piece of wood, metal, or plaster, of shape corresponding to the inside or concave surface of the pattern-handle, and after pouring melted type or other metal into the inside of the electrotype shell I press into the same the said press-block,.so as to force out surplus metal, and give the required shape and thickness to the handle-piece, and at the same time form the holes required for the connecting screws or pins. Any fins or surplus metal are now dressed off, and the handle-piece is put into an acid to change the color of the copper to that of a bronze, and the handle is ready for use after the usual washing or cleaning; or the copper may be silver-plated or gilded, in the usual manner.
It will be preferable to insert a screw through the press-block for the shell receiving the end of the connecting-screw b, so that the thread for the same will be cast, and this screw will be unscrewed before the press-block is removed.
A pistol-handle made in this manner is a very beautiful article. It is durable and much cheaper than those now in use.
I claim as my invention-- The pistol-handle herein described, consisting of the electrotype finished exterior with a backing of type or other metal, as set forth.
_________________________________________________
Here is a video that clarifies the electrotype process.
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCTqGEPjh6g&t=146s"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCTqGEPjh6g&t=146s[/ame]
Regards,
bcowern
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Hi There,
That would depend. If the mold is a positive of the shape desired,
(hence the shell is a coating over the positive shape or carving),
the thicker it gets, the more detail is lost. But, if the mold is a
negative of the shape desired, the conductive surface (the copper
is plated onto) becomes the outside and the detail will be unaffected
by the thickness of the copper shell. The aforementioned video
shows a one-of-a-kind Japanese silver bowl being reproduced in
this way.
One of early conductive coatings used (if not the original type of
coating) was powdered black lead and using a negative mold, that
powdered lead would be up against the high details of the mold.
This coating of conductive material will retain the detail and if very
thin, the details will be faithfully reproduced in the electro-plated
copper shell with little loss of detail.
Degress' patent mentions using acid to change the color of the
copper to a more "bronze" color. This acid wash I assume would
also remove the conductive material used to plate the copper shell.
A similar "pickling" process is used in electro-plating to remove
oxidation and surface contaminates prior to immersion in the plating
solution (DeGress' patent also mentions these grips can be plated
if desired).
So, if DeGress (or those who used his process) used negative molds,
the thickness of the shell would not affect the detail.
Cheers!
Webb
That would depend. If the mold is a positive of the shape desired,
(hence the shell is a coating over the positive shape or carving),
the thicker it gets, the more detail is lost. But, if the mold is a
negative of the shape desired, the conductive surface (the copper
is plated onto) becomes the outside and the detail will be unaffected
by the thickness of the copper shell. The aforementioned video
shows a one-of-a-kind Japanese silver bowl being reproduced in
this way.
One of early conductive coatings used (if not the original type of
coating) was powdered black lead and using a negative mold, that
powdered lead would be up against the high details of the mold.
This coating of conductive material will retain the detail and if very
thin, the details will be faithfully reproduced in the electro-plated
copper shell with little loss of detail.
Degress' patent mentions using acid to change the color of the
copper to a more "bronze" color. This acid wash I assume would
also remove the conductive material used to plate the copper shell.
A similar "pickling" process is used in electro-plating to remove
oxidation and surface contaminates prior to immersion in the plating
solution (DeGress' patent also mentions these grips can be plated
if desired).
So, if DeGress (or those who used his process) used negative molds,
the thickness of the shell would not affect the detail.
Cheers!
Webb
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Hi There,
I don't know why you keep clinging to the idea that "molten Copper"
is being poured into a mold. It is not. The patent states "an electro-
type shell filled with type metal or similar alloy ..." There is no
mention of using molten copper in the process and the metal
mentioned is of a much lower melting point.
There are alloys of lead,tin,cadmium,bismuth, etc. that melt at
very low temperatures. Some of these alloys will melt in boiling
water! But they would be impractical for grips (think what one
would feel if they dropped their prize handgun into some boiling
hot water while cleaning it and watching the grips dissolve away!).
So, the "molten Copper" idea is just a rabbit hole.
Cheers!
Webb
I don't know why you keep clinging to the idea that "molten Copper"
is being poured into a mold. It is not. The patent states "an electro-
type shell filled with type metal or similar alloy ..." There is no
mention of using molten copper in the process and the metal
mentioned is of a much lower melting point.
There are alloys of lead,tin,cadmium,bismuth, etc. that melt at
very low temperatures. Some of these alloys will melt in boiling
water! But they would be impractical for grips (think what one
would feel if they dropped their prize handgun into some boiling
hot water while cleaning it and watching the grips dissolve away!).
So, the "molten Copper" idea is just a rabbit hole.
Cheers!
Webb
Last edited:
bcowern
Member
Here is a business card from ARMERIA AMERICANA, the agency established in Mexico City by Wexel and DeGress in 1868.
See Post #17 above.
DeGress ran the agency in New York and Wexel ran the branch in Mexico City until 1875, when Wexel and DeGress exchanged places; DeGress going to Mexico City and Wexel to New York.
The ARMERIA AMERICANA business card is from the 1880's shows you could purchase, among other things, all kinds of machinery, telephones, telegraphs, english chairs, american harness, chandeliers, curtains, nickel plating, and Gatling Guns!
Here is a picture of Francis DeGress.
Regards,
bcowern
See Post #17 above.
DeGress ran the agency in New York and Wexel ran the branch in Mexico City until 1875, when Wexel and DeGress exchanged places; DeGress going to Mexico City and Wexel to New York.
The ARMERIA AMERICANA business card is from the 1880's shows you could purchase, among other things, all kinds of machinery, telephones, telegraphs, english chairs, american harness, chandeliers, curtains, nickel plating, and Gatling Guns!
Here is a picture of Francis DeGress.
Regards,
bcowern
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Hi There,
I'm sorry if it seems that I am making a pugilistic attack on a
deceased equine here but I wanted to put something Murph
said into some context.
The use of copper and its alloys goes back a considerable way
in time. The "Bronze Age" started roughly 6500 years ago (a-
round 4450 to 4550 B.C.). Egyptians and Macedonians were
casting bronze and copper items early on.
By the 19th Century, the process of casting bronzes and copper
was common place. Sectional molds and "lost Wax" casting was
well advanced. The only mold of consequence would be the one
that produced the "plug" used to make the plaster (or silicon)
mold.
The plaster mold is a "throw-away" which is dissolved when soaked
in water after the metal has been poured and solidifies.
Very high levels of detail are possible using these casting tech-
niques. I have some insight into this because my father was a
dentist that did his own "lab work" when it came to making crowns
and bridges. This process involved using the lost wax process
and a centrifugal casting machine. He had all this equipment
at his office and a duplicate set in the basement at home so he
could continue to work on these dental prosthetics in the evening
and weekends at home if he needed to (sometimes this was the
only way he had to clear the backlog of work when things were
too busy at the office). This gave me a first-hand experience of
the process.
Also, my mother was a serious artist. She started in oils but branched
out into sculpting in stone, wood and clay. Some of her sculptures
were reproduced in bronze and watching the process was neat!
So, I have some knowledge and gained a little first hand ex-
perience when I would help out. Casting grips like those would
not pose a problem to make but the process is more involved
and that would make the grips more expensive. So a cheaper
process to make bronze looking grips was viable. Of course to-
day, the plated "shell" could be made from bronze by using copper-
tin alloy anodes and a plating bath that has the correct concen-
trations of copper and tin in solution.
Cheers!
Webb
I'm sorry if it seems that I am making a pugilistic attack on a
deceased equine here but I wanted to put something Murph
said into some context.
The use of copper and its alloys goes back a considerable way
in time. The "Bronze Age" started roughly 6500 years ago (a-
round 4450 to 4550 B.C.). Egyptians and Macedonians were
casting bronze and copper items early on.
By the 19th Century, the process of casting bronzes and copper
was common place. Sectional molds and "lost Wax" casting was
well advanced. The only mold of consequence would be the one
that produced the "plug" used to make the plaster (or silicon)
mold.
The plaster mold is a "throw-away" which is dissolved when soaked
in water after the metal has been poured and solidifies.
Very high levels of detail are possible using these casting tech-
niques. I have some insight into this because my father was a
dentist that did his own "lab work" when it came to making crowns
and bridges. This process involved using the lost wax process
and a centrifugal casting machine. He had all this equipment
at his office and a duplicate set in the basement at home so he
could continue to work on these dental prosthetics in the evening
and weekends at home if he needed to (sometimes this was the
only way he had to clear the backlog of work when things were
too busy at the office). This gave me a first-hand experience of
the process.
Also, my mother was a serious artist. She started in oils but branched
out into sculpting in stone, wood and clay. Some of her sculptures
were reproduced in bronze and watching the process was neat!
So, I have some knowledge and gained a little first hand ex-
perience when I would help out. Casting grips like those would
not pose a problem to make but the process is more involved
and that would make the grips more expensive. So a cheaper
process to make bronze looking grips was viable. Of course to-
day, the plated "shell" could be made from bronze by using copper-
tin alloy anodes and a plating bath that has the correct concen-
trations of copper and tin in solution.
Cheers!
Webb
.38SuperMan
Member
Absolutely stunning! I've never seen any grips like those.
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