help with lettering on hand guard

[GatorBoy]

I hope someone can figure this out.
It took me a long while just to figure out it was raised lettering ..it was like optical illusion to me looking at the depressions when all of a sudden my eyes focused on the raised portions instead.
Found with early 1800's British Military items.
There was a small number of volunteers from Louisiana at the site also.

 

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[tamrock]

Boy, thats tough! I see letters, but what they say is sure hard to distinguish? Hope someone can find maybe an image of that style knife in better condition. That is a very nice find. Lucky that guard was made in brass. Any clue on the type wood the handle was made from? Could help in finding the region it was made in.

 

[DCMatt]

Here is another perspective. I'm not seeing letters... yet.

DCMatt

 

[GatorBoy]

It is a hard one.
Not sure on the wood.. it's definitely hardwood.
I'm glad I took the time and care to salvage it the best I could.
I have found bottle seals from the Medoc region in France.
I will post a few more items that might give clues.

 

[tamrock]

Here is another perspective. I'm not seeing letters... yet.

DCMatt

Thats a good way to look at it. May just be only imperfections in the casting or damage marks? I just can't tell.

 

[GatorBoy]

Here is another perspective. I'm not seeing letters... yet.

DCMatt

Really? ?
I can take a book and change the lighting from positive to negative and turn it upside down and it would do the same thing.. nothing would look like letters ever.
There is definitely form to some of it.. not just a messed up casting.
Its a quality blade.

 

[DCMatt]

Really? ?
I can take a book and change the lighting from positive to negative and turn it upside down and it would do the same thing.. nothing would look like letters ever.
There is definitely form to some of it.. not just a messed up casting.
Its a quality blade.

I'm not saying you're wrong. I just don't see it. It is like looking at one of those "hidden picture" posters. Maybe it will suddenly pop out for me... But not yet.

Found in Louisiana? My first thought on the wood is cypress which resists rotting. You gotta admit the wood is in darn good shape for being in the ground long enough to erode the different metals.

DCMatt

 

[GatorBoy]

Florida area of a second Seminole war fort. (1835 - 1842) the P.H. in the muck it was found in and low oxygen had alot to do with its preservation.








Here are some before photos.
I took alot of time with it..the sheen on the wood is from a protective coating I added.
The pewter and lead



were saved well too.

 

[GatorBoy]

 

[GatorBoy]