peveka Posted February 10, 2019 #1 Posted February 10, 2019 Hello forumists. After a very long delay I've finally finished my San Francisco (#1) and now I am between 2 ships. I've ordered the Bellona but there seems to be a problem with the delivery. Doesn't matter, I am gathering as much info as I can and here's a question: On every model I've looked at the brass railings are kept brass. It sure looks pretty but is it historically correct for an 18th century ship of the line? Cheers Pieter Quote Some much wood so little time ... Current builds: Nulli Cedo, an 18th century Dutch war clog, HMS Bellona
allanyed Posted February 10, 2019 #2 Posted February 10, 2019 Pieter The short answer is I do not think there were any brass railings on any ship of the line in the 18th century. These would all be wood, and most likely painted or other wise protected. If you choose to go with wood they are easy to make with home made cutters made from pieces of an old hacksaw blade or stiff back single edge razor. That said, if you choose to use the brass in the kit, I imagine they can be painted any color you feel is appropriate, be it black, a wood tone, or left alone as you mention. Allan mtaylor, pontiachedmark and peveka 3 Quote PLEASE take 30 SECONDS and sign up for the epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series. Click on http://trafalgar.tv There is no cost other than the 30 seconds of your time. THANK YOU
Richard Griffith Posted February 10, 2019 #3 Posted February 10, 2019 Hey Pieter, brass, bronze and mixed metal were in use at that time, mostly for bolts, bottom protection ('coppering' which was mixed metal), cannon, binnacles and the like. Iron was cheaper and although it would rust, got painted. Unless you have documentation, paint them dull black. Duff mtaylor and peveka 2 Quote
peveka Posted February 10, 2019 Author #4 Posted February 10, 2019 Wow that was quick ;o) Thanks a lot for your answers! I dug up one picture of the victory with obviously black handrails so that helps a bit, wood seems a nice alternative. mtaylor and pontiachedmark 2 Quote Some much wood so little time ... Current builds: Nulli Cedo, an 18th century Dutch war clog, HMS Bellona
JerseyCity Frankie Posted February 10, 2019 #5 Posted February 10, 2019 (edited) It’s true all the brass on a ship is going to be regularly polished. But in my opinion there’s WAY too much bright shiny brass on miniature ship models. Particularly what I’m thinking of is the two-tone ship model that has two colors: the dark brown of the varnished wood and the outrageously shiny brass flecked all over the hull and deck. On these models everything made of metal (and many things that are not!) are bright shiny brass. In my view the only things that should be shinny brass are the bell and the actual handrails -not the railing supports not the hinges on the doors, not the pintels and gudgeons, not the block strops or hooks, or the sheaves, not the anchor and certainly not any chain anywhere.....you get the picture. Edited February 10, 2019 by JerseyCity Frankie davyboy, Richard Griffith, mtaylor and 3 others 6 Quote Quote Niagara USS Constitution
peveka Posted February 10, 2019 Author #6 Posted February 10, 2019 ...you get the picture. Hi Frankie Absolutely! The little rings are among the first things to land in the "archive" ... Cheers Pieter Quote Some much wood so little time ... Current builds: Nulli Cedo, an 18th century Dutch war clog, HMS Bellona
allanyed Posted February 11, 2019 #7 Posted February 11, 2019 Pieter, My misunderstanding. I thought you were referring to the sheer , cap, counter and other rails on the sides of the ship, not at the stair openings. Cheers Allan Quote PLEASE take 30 SECONDS and sign up for the epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series. Click on http://trafalgar.tv There is no cost other than the 30 seconds of your time. THANK YOU
peveka Posted February 11, 2019 Author #8 Posted February 11, 2019 Hi Allan Actually I was referring to all the brass railings but the only picture I could find through Auntie Google was this one. Sorry for the confusion! Cheers Pieter Quote Some much wood so little time ... Current builds: Nulli Cedo, an 18th century Dutch war clog, HMS Bellona
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