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Mark, thanks. That's exactly it. Those markings are identical so perhaps we can date this at 1850? (Although I have to say I thought it was much more recent from its condition, was expecting...

Thanks guys. Have tried some steel wool but not very effective. I have brass brush somewhere so that might be worth a go.

ben -- it's definitely not horn. It's like some sort of material which has...

I finally got a vintage hand-me-down -- my uncle's (by marriage) grandfather's straight. It's a Maleham and Yeoman's and was covered in rust and a little pittng. Managed to clean it up pretty well...