Lacquer copper color on 1937 6M alto VIII????

[saxmanic]

I recently purchased a 6M alto with about 60% lacquer remaining. After I replaced several pads and gave it a few adjustments, it sings like only a 6M can. The strange thing is the color of the remaining lacquer. It is a copper color and unlike any I have ever seen. It has flaked off over the years (rather than wear off gradually). The horn has been with the original owner since 1937. It's not a relacquer to the absolute best of my knowledge, but I am wondering if some oxidize this way over the years or were a few actually lacquered in a copper color? Any help is greatly appreciated.

[soreliprick]

I have a '35 alto and it has that dark copper color to it. I've been told that nitrocellulose gets that way when exposed to moisture over the years.