While stationed in Germany from ’07-’10, I had the chance to visit WKC sword makers in Solingen, Germany. I never could coordinate a good time to stop by to say hello and meet some sword makers. They don’t give factory tours anymore since their processes were being stolen and (unsuccessfully) copied by other companies.
This is their info for caring for swords, sabers and accessories:
Ceremonial Use and Safety:
- WKC swords and sabers are intended for ceremonial use only.
- Blade tips are relatively sharp; exercise care during use.
- The blades are not designed for impact and “fighting.” While forged, tempered, and designed for flexibility and durability, ceremonial blades lack the toughness to withstand the heavy impact of “blade-to-blade” contact.
- Do not use ceremonial swords for re-enactment fighting.
- Horseplay may result in damage to the sword or, worse yet, personal injury.
- Sword and saber manual of arms is a developed and practiced skill. Do not be flamboyant when handling a drawn sword.
- Children tend to have a natural fascination with swords and often mistake a ceremonial sword for a weapon. Supervise children closely and know that the misuse of a sword is dangerous.
General – Metal Components:
-Acids from fingerprints can react with metals and discolor metal components over time.
- Salts and other air contaminants (e.g., formaldehydes form carpets, etc.) can collect on metal surfaces over time and can also cause discoloration.
- Water or humidity can affect all parts of the swords and accessories. They should be kept away from wet or humid conditions. In case the swords or accessories get wet please dry them properly by using soft dry cloth.
- Periodically, wipe your sword or accessories with a soft, dry cloth. We recommend monthly for harsh environments (e.g., high humidity, proximity to sea air, cities with heavy smog, etc.) and every few months for less harsh environments. Do not use any chemical based or other cleaners for belts or sword knots.
- Remove fingerprints and other oil marks with a soft, dry cloth.
Gold-Colored Components:
- Gold is very soft metal. Rubbing or polishing gold-plated materials will take off the gold-plating.
- Do not use abrasive metal polishes or metal wool on any gold-colored part. All gold-colored parts on WKC swords are gold-plated. All gold-colored parts on WKC swords and accessories are gold-plated.
- Use a soft dry cloth and common glass cleaner to remove any discolorations. Use abrasive “jeweler” cloths sparingly to remove any discolorations to avoid rubbing off the gold plating.
Blades:
- All WKC blades are stainless steel.
- Discolorations or minor scratches can be removed with a “jeweler” cloth or a mild metal polish, such as a silver polish.
- Remove all polish residue with a final wipe of a soft, dry cloth.
- Never use heavy abrasive polishes, scouring pads, or metal wool as they will the polished finish of the blade.
- Avoid contact with acidic or alkaline substances as either may chemically react with metals in the stainless steel.
Scabbards:
- Leather scabbards should only require an occasional wipe with a cloth moistened with a clear household silicon spray polish.
- Scuff marks in the leather can usually be repaired or hidden with ordinary shoe polish. Pay attention of that the color of the polish is the same than the leather.
- Maintain nickel-plated scabbards as a general metal component.
- Maintain the stainless-steel Marine officer scabbards as described for blades above.
Accessories:
- Periodically, wipe your accessories with a soft dry cloth. We recommend monthly for harsh environments (e.g. high humidity, proximity to sea air, cities with heavy smog etc.) and every few months for less harsh environments. Do not use any chemical or other cleaners for belts or sword knots.
On-Going Care and Maintenance:
- After each use, completely wipe the sword with a clean, dry cloth to remove fingerprints, perspiration, and any residue.
-All ferrous materials, including “stainless” steel will rust in varying degrees if not maintained and with prolonged exposure to the elements.
-Whether displaying or storing your sword, periodically clean and wipe your sword and metal scabbards with a lightly oiled cloth to protect your sword.
-Please do not store the swords and accessories in the vacuum plastic bag in wet, humid or hot surroundings.
- We recommend storing the sword unsheathed from the scabbard if storing for prolonged periods of time.
- If shipping or transporting your sword by air, securely wrap the sword in plastic to minimize condensation on the cool sword surfaces after the sword returns from the cooler high altitudes.
www.wkc-solingen.de
by DrillMaster
Dipping the American Flag
February 27, 2012 in Commentary, DrillCenter News, Honor Guard, Instructional
I read this short article that was sent to me by a retired Marine friend of mine:
The 1908 Summer Olympics were held in London, England were extremely controversial. Many of the medals were won by Irish and Irish-American athletes who were not only members of the Irish American Athletic Club of Celtic Park in Sunnyside, Queens, but also members of the New York City
Police Department. Ian McGowan, Archivist for CUNY’s Institute for Irish-American Studies is currently creating an exhibit of the Club’s trophies, photographs,and other ephemera, including vintage trading cards celebrating the feats of athletes such as John Flanagan, Johnny Hayes, Pat McDonald, Martin Sheridan and Matt McGrath, collectively known as “The Irish Whales.”
During the “Parade of Nations,” it was a customary for teams to dip their nation’s flags as a show of respect for the ruling monarch of t he host country. Martin J. Sheridan, a Discus thrower, born in 1881 in County Mayo, Ireland was part of the American Olympic team. Sheridan immigrated to New York in 1901 and joined the NYPD in 1906. Patrolman Sheridan held a grudge against the English because he believed that they helped make the Irish potato famine so bad. Members of the Olympic committee knowing his dislike for the English replaced Sheridan – who was scheduled to carry the American flag – with Ralph Rose as bearer of the flag.
Irish-Americans had a strong sense of patriotic pride to their new found country. NYPD Patrolman Mathew McGrath at 6’2″, 245 pounds was a hammer thrower and native of County Tipperary, born in 1878. As the Americans approached the Royal Box, McGrath broke ranks and stepped up to the American flag bearer – Rose – and said, “Dip our flag and you will be in a hospital tonight.”
The flag was not dipped which caused an international incident. During a news conference, Sheridan spoke for the entire Olympic team; he pointed to the American flag and said, “This flag dips to no earthly king.” That precedent was set which is still followed today during the Olympic Games. The American Flag has never been dipped to anyone since that day in 1908. In fact, the United States Flag Code was officially changed to read, “No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing.” (See Title 4, United States Code, Chapter 1 ยง 8) In 1924 Olympics McGrath earned the silver medal…at the age of 45. During his police career McGrath attained the rank of Inspector, and was awarded the NYPD’s Medal of Valor twice. Inspector McGrath died in January of 1941.
Martin Sheridan attained first place on the eligibility list for the NYPD and was appointed to the ‘finest’ in 1906. He helped organize the Police Carnival and Games for the benefit of the welfare fund of the Department which, for many years, was an outstanding athletic event in New York.
To perpetuate his name for the future generations the Martin J. Sheridan Award for Valor was established and given each year to a member of the Police Department for bravery above and beyond the call of duty. Sheridan, a First Grade Detective died of pneumonia in 1918 while while working a double shift for a sick NYPD colleague on March 25 at the age of thirty-seven and is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, Queens.
And now the 2012 Olympics and this issue.
Share this:
No related posts.
Tags: color guard, color team, dipping american flag, dipping us flag, matthew mcgrath, nypd 5 Comments »