The pattern is done by hand after the part is plated and then oxidized. The color will vary between a dark brown to almost black depending on the chemicals used to darken the copper plate. After the part is washed it is then polished with very fine polishing compound in spots to from the pattern. It is a very common finishing technique. On Sat, 23 Jun 2007 15:16:56 -0500, Robert Wright wrote: >I was starting to wonder about this myself! Seems like there were at least >two if not three variations of the oxidized bronze finish -- the Idelia's >tiger stripes, the Opera's broken glass pattern, and the ringlet finish in >these pictures of Andy's DD reproducer. Any specifics on these patterns, or >was all that info lost in the fire as well? >Best, >Robert >----- Original Message ----- >From: <gpaul2000 at aol.com> >To: <phono-l at oldcrank.org> >Sent: Saturday, June 23, 2007 1:11 PM >Subject: Re: [Phono-L] DD Metal Finishes >> >> Bruce, >> The Edison catalogs described the finish of the metal parts on the >> Amberola IA/IB, Idelia, A-150, etc as "oxidized bronze." You point out >> that "This has a body that is almost black with copper markings, somewhat >> like tiger markings." Edison literature called it "oxidized bronze," so >> that's what I have always called it. I have observed collectors refer to >> "gunmetal" as "oxidized bronze" and apply the name to other metal finishes >> as well. It's no wonder some confusion exists! >> >> George Paul >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> ________________________________________________________________________ >> AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free >> from AOL at AOL.com. >> _______________________________________________ >> Phono-L mailing list >> http://phono-l.oldcrank.org >> >_______________________________________________ >Phono-L mailing list >http://phono-l.oldcrank.org