When I equiped my Barbarian with a Corrupted Ashbringer it changed the apearence to the NORMAL Ashbringer. I thought that by equiping this weapon on the Barb it would have this effect always. So I changed it with a Primal Ancient version, but it stayed Corrupted (did not change the aspect). When I put the other one back on it did not change. I tried it with 20 other ones, but did not get the same result.
Did not manage to take a screenshot.
And I am very sorry that I did not leave the first one on! I would be the only one with a normal Ashbringer. (the red and gold one with the shiny sphere in it and not the skull)
The Corrupted Ashbringer has a transformation ability built into it…
Chance on kill to raise a skeleton to fight for you. Upon accumulating 5 skeletons, they each explode for 1000% weapon damage and the sword transforms into Ashbringer for a short time.
So, occasionally it’ll transform when you’re in combat, but not stood in town.