Bell Crown Hat Project

[S. Quentin Quale, Esq.]

As part of my Pre-/WWI Naval Aviator impression I've had a bell crown cap made.  Here it is:



The problem is that the officer's crest (that is an original item) is very "salty" (read heavily tarnished, dirty, etc.) and rest of the cap is bright and new.  So I must either figure a way to clean the original item and/or "age" the chin strap and "scrambled eggs" on the cap.

If anyone has any ideas I'd appreciate them and see which will work most effectively.  Thanks, in advance, for any help.

SQQ

[Forty Rod]

Can't open it.

[S. Quentin Quale, Esq.]

Yup.  Still working on getting the photo into a post or getting the link to work.

Ain't technology grand?!?!?!?!   

SQQ

[S. Quentin Quale, Esq.]

OK.  I give up.  Is there an instruction on how to do this and, if so, where is it?  I looked through the "Help" topics and couldn't find any thing.

For some reason just cutting and pasting the link from Photobucket won't work; I get only half the URL.

I about out of airspeed, altitude, and ideas.   

SQQ

[Major 2]

download it to My Pictures. the click > Additional Options  just below the message window
your pictures will be shown... click on the one you want,  click save... and Bob's your uncle

[Pitspitr]

What I did was to go to your photobucket page and along the right side is a link that says "links to share this photo" Copy the one that says "Direct". Paste it into your message. Then highlight it and press the photo button 2 to the left of the YouTube button or just to the right of the web link button.

Now to your question about aging your scrambled eggs and chin strap. If they were actual gold bullion you could take a cleaning patch from cleaning your guns after having fired BP and wipe them with it. However, it looks as though they are just gold colored thread so that wouldn't work. Have you tried dyeing them with tea or coffee? Another option might be to wear it all weekend at a Muster in Nebraska. Equipment seldom looks new after that. 

[Major 2]

just a thought

http://www.amazon.com/Krylon-Leafing-Gold-Paint-ANK9901/dp/B003ZTNENS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1407358725&sr=8-4&keywords=gold+leaf+paint

[Blair]

Can't post photos? OK

More info is needed  from you to help offer you some help.
My best,
  Blair

[Drydock]

Looks good to me!

Throw a bucket of salt water on it and set it out in the sun a few times.

[Blair]

Never mind.
Drydock seems to have it all worked out.
A little salt water and sun.
What else would be better for a WWI Naval Aviator with this kind of rank?
My best,
Blair

[S. Quentin Quale, Esq.]

Thank you to the Kind Soul who fixed it.  And to those who gave some advice on photos.  Next time I'll try to do better!!!   

I'm certainly familiar with the "sun and salt water" method!  I thought I'd give a cleaning a chance to see if I couldn't "narrow the gap" between new and old before I started to attack the "new."

When I make some progress I try a new picture!!!

SQQ

[Forty Rod]

Put the device in your pocket, walk into a good jewelry store, and ask their opinion on how to clean it.

Had one do a great job on an emblem made with a lot of "bullion" thread in it, and on the metal parts of an WWI German (and I know I'm gonna screw up the spelling on this one) pickelhaupt helmet.

[Pitspitr]

Thank you to the Kind Soul who fixed it.

You're welcome.
It's kind of nice getting thanked for doing my job as moderator. Usually we get yelled when we have to do anything as moderator.
Of course I seldom have to do anything here in the Barrack. We have awfully good mess mates here.

[Blair]

SQQ,

Is your hat device embroidered, or an all metal device?

There are all new made metal hat devices that look as thou they are embroidered for about $30.00.
Might be better off letting your new hat age (get salty) along with a new hat device?
Just a thought,
Blair