Advice on Removing Tarnish From Silver Cantle

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I would suggest you avoid the use of liquid or paste polishes, and stick with one of the polishing cloths used to polish fine silver-- tea pots and the like. The reason for this admonishment is that after using most liquid/paste polishes you are advised to wash the article in water, something that is awkward at best when dealing with the bells and cantle on an antique (or even very new) sporran. I find that after lightly polishing my cantle with a silver cloth, I can clean off any surface residue with several wipe downs with a soft damp cloth, followed by a polish with a soft dry cloth until all the polising residue is removed. An old tee shirt works quite well for this job. This will leave the patina undisturbed in the cracks and crevices, but bring up a very mellow shine on all the raised bits.

You can pick up a jeweler's cloth at most jewelry stores, or at department stores that sell silver flatware (cutlery).