I am responding to Robert Baron's posting on "nickel silver". "nickel silver" is one of the copper alloys in which nickel is alloyed with zinc and copper (brass) to form an alloy with a white metal silvery appearence which is tough and corrosion resistant. This alloy came into general use in the Western Europe in the 1700's although it had a long tradition of use in China. This alloy came to be known as Packtong in the 18th century, German Silver or Nickel Silver in the 19th century. The corrosion resistant qualities made this alloy preferable for use on ships, and it was a popular alloy for buttons, bridle bits, and the occaisional candlestick. Packtong has a more whitish and slightly less lusturous appearence than polished silver - it does slowly oxidize to a gray appearence and copper corrosion will eventually appear given the right environmental conditions. Dave David Harvey Conservator of Metals & Arms Colonial Williamsburg Foundation P.O. Box 1776 Williamsburg, VA 23187-1776 USA voice: 804-220-7039 e-mail: [log in to unmask]