Correct color for a POTC Compass?

[Maelstrom]

Can someone give me some insight here?

I've seen pics of the MR and it kinda looks like an espresso color with a light black wash on it. I've also seen grainy pics of the original prop and un those it looks black with a brown wash (maybe) on it.

I'm getting close to finishing my scratchbuild and want to get the color down in case I need to order some paint online if I can't find it local.

I know the prop is supposed to be ebony wood, which as the name implies I'm guessing is black? I've never seen any in person.

Any MR owners give me some insight please and anybody that has seen the original prop or has some really good pics of it I would greatly appreciate the help!

Thanks!

 

[Shylaah]

I scratch built one out of balsa wood a few months ago. To simulate the ebony the compass is suppose to be made out of, I used a semi opaque Burnt Sienna and a watered down black acrylic paints (the watering down made the black semi opaque). I sanded and cleaned the wood then put on alternate coats of the brown then black paints, smoothing them out with #0000 steel wool between coats. I put on about six coats, then a couple of coats of varnish.
My how-I-did-it and pics here:
Compass Part 1
Compass Part 2

Shylaah

Ebony is the black keys on a piano....in the old days they were made of ebony wood, though today they are plastic.......so if you've ever seen an old piano, you've seen ebony!

 

[Maelstrom]

So I'm not imagining things and it is a very dark brownish/black color.

 

[Shylaah]

That is correct, sir!

Shylaah