A question has come up on the SPANBORD list (history and archaeology of the Spanish Borderlands). A small museum has some reproduction 16 gauge chainmail that is extremely rusty (they are based in Florida). Is there any way to get the rust off it so that children can handle it? I suggested shaking it in sand, so that the sand can abrade off the rust (I seem to recall that this was what was done in the past, when everyone wore the stuff). You can reply on the list, or directly to me. I'll pass the information on. Anita Cohen-Williams; Reference Services; Hayden Library Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1006 PHONE: (602) 965-4579 FAX: (602) 965-9169 [log in to unmask] Owner: HISTARCH, SPANBORD, SUB-ARCH