centurion Posted 15 April , 2014 Share Posted 15 April , 2014 I have a brass cartridge case for something of 160 mm. The base is covered in gunk but I have so far revealed MGM 488L 17. I assume the 17 means 1917 but any idea what the rest means? It was bought many years ago in a Normandy junk (and I really mean junk) shop BTW can anyone recommend something faster than Brasso to clean the rest of the headstamp? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 15 April , 2014 Author Share Posted 15 April , 2014 Further polishing reveals 155 something MLE 1915 S so it's a French 155mm something Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPT Posted 15 April , 2014 Share Posted 15 April , 2014 Could MGM be Manufacture Generale de Munitions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ridgus Posted 15 April , 2014 Share Posted 15 April , 2014 [quote name="centurion" post="2071607" timestamp=" BTW can anyone recommend something faster than Brasso to clean the rest of the headstamp? Duraglit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trajan Posted 15 April , 2014 Share Posted 15 April , 2014 Don't know for brass... For steel the finest grade emery paper and water followed by finest grade steel wool and then Autosol and polishing with a soft cloth works (yes, sounds horrific, but an expert sword collector and dealer of more than 40 years experience recommended it to me and it does work on bayonets!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 15 April , 2014 Author Share Posted 15 April , 2014 Duraglit? they make Brasso which I'm using Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 15 April , 2014 Author Share Posted 15 April , 2014 Head stamp now reads 155 C MLE 1915 S MGM 488L 17.R Don't know for brass... For steel the finest grade emery paper and water followed by finest grade steel wool and then Autosol and polishing with a soft cloth works (yes, sounds horrific, but an expert sword collector and dealer of more than 40 years experience recommended it to me and it does work on bayonets!) Thanks however steel is much harder than brass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ridgus Posted 15 April , 2014 Share Posted 15 April , 2014 they make Brasso which I'm using Sorry. I thought Brasso was liquid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Davies Posted 15 April , 2014 Share Posted 15 April , 2014 Most people refer to the liquid as Brasso and the wadding as Duraglit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ridgus Posted 15 April , 2014 Share Posted 15 April , 2014 Most people refer to the liquid as Brasso and the wadding as Duraglit. It was the wadding I meant. It certainly cleaned my grandfather's spurs from the Great War when they came to light some years ago David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Davies Posted 15 April , 2014 Share Posted 15 April , 2014 I think your advice to Cent was spot on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T8HANTS Posted 15 April , 2014 Share Posted 15 April , 2014 Autosol in scrunched silver foil is an excellent cleaning method for non delicate stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 16 April , 2014 Author Share Posted 16 April , 2014 (edited) It was the wadding I meant. It certainly cleaned my grandfather's spurs from the Great War when they came to light some years ago David Yes its produced by Duraglit under the name Brasso (I don't think they market the old liquid any more) and that's what I am using. Looking for something better Edited 16 April , 2014 by Keith Roberts Courtesy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Davies Posted 16 April , 2014 Share Posted 16 April , 2014 Brasso is available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brasso-125760-Liquid-1-Litre/dp/B000TAY03O (and the GWF benefits from your purchase). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 16 April , 2014 Author Share Posted 16 April , 2014 Brasso is available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brasso-125760-Liquid-1-Litre/dp/B000TAY03O (and the GWF benefits from your purchase). I did say looking for something better! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithmroberts Posted 16 April , 2014 Share Posted 16 April , 2014 Suggestions here http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=203418&hl=%2Bcleaning+%2Bbrass#entry1997943 Keiht Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Davies Posted 16 April , 2014 Share Posted 16 April , 2014 I did say looking for something better! Yes, you did indeed say you were looking for something better than the wadding and I am suggesting the liquid which in my experience is better for this sort of task. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerhunter Posted 16 April , 2014 Share Posted 16 April , 2014 Brasso is not recomnded for cleaning old brass because it removes the patina. Warm soapy water's the thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikB Posted 17 April , 2014 Share Posted 17 April , 2014 Brasso is not recomnded for cleaning old brass because it removes the patina. Warm soapy water's the thing. It also blunts the edges of stamped and engraved markings and polishes out machining marks from manufacture. I have sometimes used Goddard's Silver Dip, where I wanted to wash off patina and brighten brass without rubbing out markings. Regards, MikB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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