RomanArmyTalk

We're all familiar with the brass Deepeeka cavalry helmet (which has disappeared from their website). Here's the basic version on the Armae website:



I decided to part silver mine, using a silver plate solution, Tableau silver plating solution. The helmet had been lacquered during manufacture, so I used varnish remover to get rid of that, so the solution would take to the brass.

Here's the result:



De-lacquering took about an hour and a half.

Silver plating about 4 hours total, taking care to stay within the desired borders (using masking tape for the cheeks and central medusa). The stuff is a joy to use, I have to say, and goes a long way. I probably silvered the parts around three times on average to make sure of a good contrast.

One tip: wear gloves. My fingertips are worth more than when I started on the helmet :wink:

Good looking result! really brings it to life

Tarbicus, the result is simply great! In fact I am surprised how good this Deepeeka helmet looks after your treatment. Do you think that de-lacquering would improve the looks of other Deepeeka helmets (to get that "too shiny" effect away)?

Quote:Good looking result! really brings it to life

Thanks. I'm really happy with the result, especially considering how easy it is to do. If it rubs off over time, all you have to do is give it another rubdown with the solution.

Quote:Tarbicus, the result is simply great! In fact I am surprised how good this Deepeeka helmet looks after your treatment. Do you think that de-lacquering would improve the looks of other Deepeeka helmets (to get that "too shiny" effect away)?

I actually didn't see too much of a difference in terms of the brass, although there does seem to be some. Cabballo has the same problem with his cavalry helm with the facemask, the Gallic that I part silveredthe brass of didn't have the lacquer. I think it's just the all/mostly brass ones that they do it to. The simplest way to check, if you have the silver solution, is to just dab and polish some on. You'll soon be able to tell :roll:

Quote:Can you please advice if this was actually silver plating or tin plating historically. We do not have facilities for tin plating, as it also has lead content in it, however, we can try silver plating.

Ca you send us better pictures of the pieces as desired.

Both silver and tin plating are okay, although tin plating seems to be more usual. Not all tin plating material has 100% lead, here is a link to a company in the UK who will make lead-free tinning paste on request:
www.gwneale.co.uk/nealetin.html

There is also a discussion thread on the subject here:
Nealetin tin paste

The photo of my cavalry helmet above is the best one I have at the moment.

Wow! Beautiful work!

cheers!

Britannicus

Thanks Todd. I love that silvering solution, it makes it so easy without the need for car batteries, etc.

For Gagan's benefit,

The original helmets of this type would have been made with a plain iron skull which then had brass sheathing embossed to look like hair rivetted to it. I don't know if it was normally tinned or not but given the Roman's normal penchant for tinning or silvering brass I would not be surprised.

Crispvs

Wow, never noticed this before, (I think... :oops: ) That really makes the helm stand out Jim, nice work!

WOW! Your helmet looks great! It really improves the overall look and the detail. Great job.

Maius/Bill

Hello

Your helmet is actually very great Tarbicus , and obviously your skills are great too
So , gentlemen silvering this helmet in a sort of "mass production" should be great ..So Gagan some new news about this process ?

Sextus Aurelius Propertius

PCC Eric-Alexandre POHER

Beautiful work, as usual Jim.

I have a fellow in my group who is working up an auxiliary cavalry impression and has ordered this helmet for it -- I will be sure to point out your post and advise him that he needs to try to make his look as good as yours!

Regards,

Edge

Thanks very much, all. The most time consuming bits were getting rid of the lacquer, and masking the areas to be silvered.

Fantastic work Tarbicvs. It just shows what a little time and thought can do Lavdes from me
Regards Brennivs