Question on repainting morning glory horns

[gramophone78]

If I were repainting a Cygnet I would give it an oak woodgrain finish. It was offered at a slightly higher price originally and, in my opinion, is much more interesting than a black Cygnet. Jerry B.

Jerry, I think if you re-read the mans post....he has already had the horn painted black and just wants to know "if" gold stripes should be on the inside ribs. I would say "no' to gold stripes.

George P will have a better idea of the actual gold color used.

Edited by me due to error.

[phonogfp]

Well, as long as you called me out...

Below are four photos of an original, unrestored Cygnet No.10 in black. Views from the from and side/rear have been shot with and without flash. By clicking on a photo twice, it can be significantly enlarged.

As you will see, there are no gold lines along the interior ribs. That doesn't necessarily mean that there never were gold lines applied inside some Cygnets, but I don't recall ever seeing any. I'd be grateful to see photos of a Cygnet with original gold lines within the bell.

The gold is obviously the "more subdued, brown gold" which is consistent with most (all?) gold horn striping from a century ago.

I hope these photos will be helpful. If more are needed, let me know.

George P.

[Jerry B.]

I came in late to this thread and was replying to Lawyer's question about a repainted purple Cygnet. In most cases a thread that is multiple pages long has gone through some twists and turns. I commented on one of the turns. I have not paid much attention to this original question on repainting by a professional because I suspect you can buy a nice original horn for less money than having one done professionally. Plus, when you're done with a professionally painted horn or any repainted horn, it looks just that, repainted. A repainted wood grained horns does not look as obviously repainted in my eye. Jerry

[gramophone78]

Salutations to all,
I am new to this forum after joining this week,and have a question as to the proper painting of a Cygnet horn. This past December I acquired the above-mentioned Cygnet in N.Y.C. that although in excellent shape, was re-painted and re-painted purple at that! A client of our firm is the proprietor of a commercial aircraft painting concern to which he has sandblasted the horn to remove the "special purple paint", cleaned and prepped the base material prior to the application of two coats of primer and two topcoats of black. This will be followed by two applications of clear matte finish for protection after the new decals are applied and the ribs hand-painted in gold.It will then be followed by a commercial hand polishing agent.
The question I am posing at this time is,are the ribs on the inside of bell painted gold also as they are on the outside and edges? In pictures I have viewed, they are depicted as being painted inside and outside and other pictures showing the outside and edges only.In other words,how were the originals done? As to the gold paint used, is it a bright gold or a more subdued brown gold? I defer to those much more knowledgeable and experienced in this area than myself and it is my hope these questions can be answered. Thanking you in advance, I remain
James Kelly

Jerry,
George and I were also answering "lawyers" post. Based on his post, I'm under the impression the horn is already restored in black and merely asked about whether or not gold stripes were on the inside in order to finish his project.

Wood grain finish does look much cooler however.... .

[Jerry B.]

I failed to read Lawyer's post carefully and I apologize. I should have read it carefully. If I had, I would have realized he was simply asking about the striping. I would have kept my opinions regarding a black Cygnet or a wood grained Cygnet to myself and kept them for a later thread. It was not my intent to offend anyone. Jerry Blais

[phonogfp]

Jerry,

You certainly didn't offend anyone. And I agree that - when faced with a Cygnet that needs repainting, having it wood grained is the more interesting route to take!

George P.

[ambrola]

I have never seen a period horn with decals? Not saying they weren't used but I have never saw one. If you look close, you can see that they were hand painted. At least the TTC and Hawthornes. All the cygnets I've seen were black, just gold on the outside rib.

[De Soto Frank]

I have never seen a period horn with decals? Not saying they weren't used but I have never saw one. If you look close, you can see that they were hand painted. At least the TTC and Hawthornes. All the cygnets I've seen were black, just gold on the outside rib.

$_58.jpg

Is the top horn, with the Pansies, a Tea-Tray Co. ?

IMG_4336.JPG

TCT4.jpg

[phonogfp]

Is the top horn, with the Pansies, a Tea-Tray Co. ?

Yes, it is.

George P.

[ambrola]

Thanks George. I didn't see the question.