Black Scissor Spring on 84mm Salesman.

Aloha · **on:** September 16, 2018, 10:57:40 PM

I didn't notice the black scissor spring before. Kinda neat.

Exeter · **Reply #1 on:** September 16, 2018, 11:21:44 PM

Isn't that simply oxidation/patina? I have mid-70s Grand Prix that that partially blackened scissor spring and I was able to remove most of it with gentle fine sanding. Although in this case the spring looks totally and uniformly black. Interesting, that's for sure.

Aloha · **Reply #2 on:** September 17, 2018, 01:09:26 AM

My first thought however isn't the spring stainless steel? Yes the whole spring is black with no visible deviation of color. I thought it might be a after market spring

.

Rapidray · **Reply #3 on:** September 17, 2018, 02:02:07 AM

It does make for an interesting look for sure

MacGyver · **Reply #4 on:** September 17, 2018, 08:59:00 AM

IMO, it just maybe oxidation from age, ut just happens to be uniform. It maybe also some sort of coating they used back then, but i find it unlikely.
The black springs is common to be seen on the single leaf ones

Exeter · **Reply #5 on:** September 17, 2018, 10:52:07 AM

I took a look at my aforementioned Grand Prix, and I still suspect it's just oxidation. As I said, this spring wasn't totally black, but upon closer examination, the back of the upper arm - where I did not do any cleaning, sanding - is pretty close to what we can see on your spring. Other parts may have been exposed to more wear, probably that's why it wasn't as uniform. And this seems to suggest that the spring might not have been stainless in all cases in the past.

Hopefully someone with more experience with vintage models can say something more concrete.

Aloha · **Reply #6 on:** September 17, 2018, 03:10:47 PM

Yup your spring does look pretty much like the one on my Salesman. Not sure why it just stood out for me the other day. I thought it was neat, it is neat. Thanks for the pictures.

ulli · **Reply #7 on:** September 17, 2018, 05:08:20 PM

As far as I know, those springs were made of a different metal. It has nothing to do with oxidation. You can see those also as single leaf springs on old scissors. I have no idea why they used this kind of metal. Maybe it had to do something with lower friction, the same thing you see in mechanical watches when they used brass and steel in combination for lower friction.