BRASSO Metal Polish ' For over 100 years '

[Bruce_in_Oz]

Antique technology!

The BETTER alternative is stuff called "Goddards Glow".

This comes as a paste in a tube.

Unlike "Brasso" which leaves a dry surface, often with annoying white powder residue on the brass, "Glow" contains some sort of wax that leaves a thin. protective film on the metal. Furthermore, the "residue" is BLACK. This may not look good on your nice, white "pox-doctor's clerk" parade webbing.

For decades, generations of young diggers struggled with "tarting-up" '37 Pattern webbing belts. This involved:

Removing the rear harness buckles,
Bringing the Khaki fabric to a rich black sheen using only boot polish,
Achieving a mirror sheen on the buckles using only an old sock and a barrel of Brasso.

The more tech-savvy in the workshops did this:

Thoroughly treat the raw webbing with black "Raven Oil", to give a solid background colour.

Refine the surface of the brass fittings, (buckle and keepers) using a motorized cloth buffing wheel, loaded with fine grit in a wax "stick".

If available, do the detailed work with the trusty Dremel and small, felt "bobs". The REALLY "hard-core got their "keepers" re-profiled by getting them "rolled" at specialist jewelers shops.

Once the Raven Oil has dried, start applying black "leather lacquer" (available from saddleries and REAL boot repairers), in thin coats. ONLY coat those area likely to be seen during the RSM's pre-parade inspection. This maintains some flexibility in the belt.

Re-assemble carefully.

"Maintenance" involved, firstly, keeping the whole assembly in an airtight plastic bag to reduce the rate of tarnishing.

Any signs of "dullness' on the brass could be easily dealt with using the "Glow" on the parts in situ on the belt, as the residue, is BLACK.

What kept the "keepers" in place? An Oz 50cent coin, jammed in between the two "layers" of belt. That method also ensured the appropriately equipped troops had cash for a beer or five at the "boozer" after the parade. A ten ounce "pot" cost twenty cents in our tin shed at the time.

The webbing bayonet frogs AND rifle slings, (L1A1 days), were given the same treatment.

A LOT of work "up front", but minimal maintenance and prep for YEARS afterwards.

Information

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