Burnisher, 1915-1918 (c)

Leather backed burnisher with ferrous metal mail links, 1915-1918 (c).

Burnishers like these were used to polish steel items to keep them clean. This would normally include items such as swords, exposed metal parts of artillery pieces, harness components and the bits used as part of saddlery.

This one, dating from World War One (1914-1918) and contained within a canvas kitbag, belonged to Edwin Cooper of the 33rd Division, Signal Company, Royal Engineers, 1915-1918.