What is the correct color for the hedge cutters mounted on some Shermans? Were they Olive Drab or steel, and how do I go about weathering the cutter?
This article may be helpful. http://www.network54.com/Forum/47208/thread/1291930477/Cullin+hedgerow+device+color
Probably with whatever dark paint was available, or even no paint at all.
Steel…with some burnt metal at the welds!!
Rounds Complete!!
Agreed with above comments.
Realize the cutters were improvised from beach anti-tank barricades. These sat in the water & sand exposed to the elements and would be a dark rust color. Torch cuts make a edge with fine lines that are dull silver to a almost white border. This white is not in the metal and will wipe off with a rag or glove, like a ‘smoke’ residue.
Assembling the cutters involved welding and grinding which would make a bright silver ‘polished’ area usually where the weld needs to bond or in molten metal ‘fuse’ I do not think they bothered cleaning up the slag or applied paint, all recent welding would oxidize or rust quickly to a brighter orange almost over night.
These were a make shift measure that was campaign specific to be disguarded after the hedgerows were a memory not a concern.