Japanned Hardware

[ButtermilkRanger]

I don't remember when or where I read it, but I remember discussions from years ago that with very few exceptions, both Confederate and Federal cavalry horse equipments came with japanned hardware. I also remember a discussion on the difference between japanning and baked enamel. I'd like to revisit that discussion in the light of progress made in authentic reproductions over the last 10 years or so. Was all saddle hardware japanned? What exactly is the difference between japanning and painting? When did nickle plating become accepted (the process was patented in 1837)? Did the Confederacy insist on enameled or japanned hardware?

Questions, questions, questions.

[rbruno]

Re: Japanned Hardware

Larry,
All great questions. They almost need separate threads. One that I have always wondered about is the nickle plating. I bought a Aden Nichols civilian bit a couple years back that is great. I believe it is nickle plated. One of the big issues we have in reenacting is how many people show up with nickle plated bits that we know are modern bits. My question has always been how do you tell the difference between correct nickle plating and modern if there is a difference. I am not talking about styles of bits, but the plating itself. For instance, if someone comes to an event with a snaffle bit that is shaped like an original, but is nickle or maybe chrome plated, how would we know which one is correct. I guess maybe that is more the question as I type this. What is the difference between chrome and nickle plating?

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: Japanned Hardware

We're on the same train of thought here, Rob. I hadn't really given much thought to bits. IMO it would have more to do with the construction and design of the bit, but it's sort of like the paint horse debate. We know paint horses existed, but do you open the flood gates by allowing them so the farbs can over do it? I was thinking specifically about buckles when I posted. I've seen hardware on some good quality leather work (not specifically horse equipment) that had nickle or brass hardware painted black and listed as "enameled" and others that were "japaned". I'm still not sure of the difference. I also saw a really nice waist belt listed on this forum once that had a roller buckle that was "nickle plated". I could see very little difference between the nickle plated buckle and another that was listed as German silver.

[Marine Mike]

Re: Japanned Hardware

Chrome becomes common for plating in the late 1920's. It can be applied thinner than nickel and provides a harder finish. It was also used in alloys, the best known was the chrome vanadium steel Ford used in his advertising. This leads me to doubt chrome for the 1860's.

[rbruno]

Re: Japanned Hardware

Mike,
I would agree that chrome is later. I did a brief bit of reading on line regarding the process. To overgeneralize, the process is similar, just using different metals/chemicals/alloys to coat the metal. I think my question is if you were to lay a nickle bit next to a chrome bit, how would you know the difference? Let say they are of the same design/construction and same base metal. So the only difference is nickle vs chrome. Does one have more shine? etc. I think the same thing could be said with Larry's question on enameled and japanned.

[Jimmayo]

Re: Japanned Hardware

Not a cav guy but have seen dug bits. None had any signs of plating. Of course there could be one somewhere. One of Stanley Phillips books on excavaed artifacts shows a brass CS bit but is thought to have been made pre war.

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: Japanned Hardware

The issue of chrome or nickle bits never really crossed my mind. I've never even heard of a plated bit from the CW era, other than one that had been blued like a gun. My main question was what exactly is the difference between enamled hardware and japaned hardware and has anyone ever seen evidence of nickle plated hardware (other than bits)? Before or during the war era? I know the patent was granted for nickle plating in 1837, but that doesn't mean it was cost efficient or commonly used.

[Marine Mike]

Re: Japanned Hardware

Rbruno,
Nickel loses its luster and has a very light greyish cast to it. It is typically in a layer multiples greater than chrome.

ButtermilkRange,
Japaned is a heavy lacquer. There are many types of enamel but the one I think you are referring to is what was used in enamelware. This was a fused glass finish. Another common term for it is porcelain enamel.