ausreenactor
Well-Known Member
Intent of my comment was never to keep it shiny. Let it take on the patina over time...I have an original which has a finish exactly like the Chinese replica, and was never shiny.
The whole "everything gleaming in the sun' look wasn't all that common in WW2, that was something you more often see well into the postwar years once 'stay bright' insignia came around.
I might just put my extra original on my crusher when it shows up, but thought it'd be good to have a new replica just in case, especially for as little as I paid for it.