096v - - - - - Grey hilts
When they are white, it is necessary only to clean them well, and then to heat them over a fire, and make them turn blue. And take good care that they do not turn too blue, since neither gold nor silver nor any color would set. To accomplish this, which is called les faire passer, have a caldron full of ashes that you cover with some blazing hot charcoal, and heat the ashes thus very well, for an hour or two. And when the ashes are very hot, put the charcoal aside and put the hilt where the charcoal was, and cover it completely with ashes. And when the body, which is the main part of the hilt, is completely colored, flip it onto the other side. In that way, the grey cannot color it too dark, unless some hot coal touches it. Greying can be achieved in an ordinary fireplace, too, but there is a danger that it may sit there too long and make a crust which which will prevent the color from setting. Blue coloring is obtained as soon as the ashes have heated the hilts a little bit, but it will always be grey on some sides. After blue comes grey.
Color of water
For the color of water, pass a lime doulce on the guards to whiten them, then the burnisher. Next, one makes them pass blue until they become grey. Next, when they are still moderately hot, pass the bloodstone over them, and when they cool, one turns them to reheat them, for the color of water is made only by several goes. And if the guards were not warm, the bloodstone would scrape & undo the color. One needs to heed that guards do not pass too grey, for they would give off filth that would prevent the color from taking. One needs almost one day for preparing, softening, & setting the color of water, but as they pass a little blue, it is enough for grey & another color. Grey is the lesser color after varnish which is of two colors, either yellow or black.
Yellow varnish
One whitens very well & one cleans the guards well. Next, one with a feather, one coats them cold with a feather all of walnut olive oil, and next turn them over a good charcoal fire that is in the furbishers’ furnace, without them touching the charcoal or the ashes. And when they do not smoke anymore, it is done.