connorferster

For historical research, I find it is always best to use a journal database like JSTOR (jstor.org). I periodically like to look up historical information on leather wallets (I'm the guy editing the wikipedia article and JSTOR is always where I go for information. Truly, it is stuff you just can't find anywhere else. You can do free searches at JSTOR.org but you can't view the comprehensive search details. Go there now and try a search to see exactly what you can bring up. Doing a quick search myself for "scotland" "leather" "17th century", I found an actual journal called "The Scottish Antiquary". Often the information you need is contained within several articles about other topics that have a paragraph or two directly relating to the information you need but sometimes you can get lucky and get exactly what you need. Of course, the downside with JSTOR is that you need to access it through a library. Call your nearest college or university library and let them know you are doing historical research and ask how you may have walk-in access to their database. You might also try your public library. It's amazing how much help you can get from librarians if you are earnest, kind, creative, enthusiastic, and persistent. Honestly, if you are trying to do any kind of deep research for information no one else will know, JSTOR and other article databases are the most efficient and effective method for doing it Good luck!

I agree with Luke. Unfortunately (in my opinion), most hardware manufacturers lacquer brass hardware to PREVENT them from tarnishing. You have to use a sand-paper or steel wool to remove the clear lacquer coat, first. Following that the above ammonia method will work wonders. Good luck!