cleanup on aisle four--brass dinner bells!
 

Thrilled to pick up these little beauties--thank you Mark and the B/S/T! I'd have been happy to leave them as is, but thought I'd do a little Googling to see whether they might clean up a little brighter without too much trouble. As recommended, I did the brass test first--if a magnet won't stick, it's solid brass, otherwise brass plate over some other metal. More care required in cleaning plate so as not to rub it off. Then soak in soapy warm water for a few minutes, with vinegar if you choose. Brush with toothpaste, wash that off and dry. Took me about 15 minutes for both of them, and seems to have done the job about as well as possible, I'd say. There are what look like some minor scrapes that will never come off, but I'm pleased as punch with the results overall. These are so cute, and have a wonderful tone (different notes for each) with great sustain. My Mom, whose birthday would have been tomorrow (101--she made it to 95), would have loved to have had these to call my sister and me in from playing in the alley. If anyone wants to hear them, email me at hankphenom@msn.com, I couldn't figure out how to upload the video here.