A Small Sword for Comments (Sister to Napoleon's Sword?)

[awdaniec666]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

...patination, which in my opinion should be left as is (my historian position) and cleaning, especially overcleaning which compromises the integrity of the piece (again my opinion).

Jim, I would love to hear more about a historians view on aging signs, how you deal with corrosion, patina etc. .

Would you mind opening a thread discussing this topic, starting with your point of view on it? Could be also here if it fits the original discussion but I think this is something a lot of people are thinking about and maybe have something to share. I´d really appreciate some insight!

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by awdaniec666

Jim, I would love to hear more about a historians view on aging signs, how you deal with corrosion, patina etc. .

Would you mind opening a thread discussing this topic, starting with your point of view on it? Could be also here if it fits the original discussion but I think this is something a lot of people are thinking about and maybe have something to share. I´d really appreciate some insight!

Thank you, that is a great suggestion, and a subject often brought up (rather constantly actually) on these pages over the many years writing here.
As I am indeed someone who studies history, my opinion is always to leave as much patination as possible, and even items that are in essentially relic or excavated condition should remain as is as much as possible excepting minor repair to complete the overall composition. . In most cases the physical aspects of the components, metal etc. reflect important information pertaining to age however without scientific analysis, most of that is from comparison to other items in kind, or the context or provenance of the item being examined.

The only cleaning should be lightly removing grime, stabilizing any corrosion or rust. The weapons I have collected over many years have remained as is.
Only light rubbing with fine steel wool and WD40 in pitted areas on hilts revealed key regimental markings etc.

I am by no means a professional, as in a museum, where conservation is more detailed stabilizing and limited restoration is accomplished. These processes are far more complex to preserve the item as close to its intact condition as possible.

Items which are heavily (overcleaned) are in my opinion compromised as the patination is in my opinion, virtually history itself in a sense, and should be left intact as much as possible.

As I say, this has been often discussed over many years, and my position on this is pretty well known, as well as apparently shared by many others who write here. Great topic, and very grateful for your interest!!! Thank you.

[awdaniec666]

Thank you Jim!

[efrahjalt]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Thank you, that is a great suggestion, and a subject often brought up (rather constantly actually) on these pages over the many years writing here.
As I am indeed someone who studies history, my opinion is always to leave as much patination as possible, and even items that are in essentially relic or excavated condition should remain as is as much as possible excepting minor repair to complete the overall composition. . In most cases the physical aspects of the components, metal etc. reflect important information pertaining to age however without scientific analysis, most of that is from comparison to other items in kind, or the context or provenance of the item being examined.

The only cleaning should be lightly removing grime, stabilizing any corrosion or rust. The weapons I have collected over many years have remained as is.
Only light rubbing with fine steel wool and WD40 in pitted areas on hilts revealed key regimental markings etc.

I am by no means a professional, as in a museum, where conservation is more detailed stabilizing and limited restoration is accomplished. These processes are far more complex to preserve the item as close to its intact condition as possible.

Items which are heavily (overcleaned) are in my opinion compromised as the patination is in my opinion, virtually history itself in a sense, and should be left intact as much as possible.

As I say, this has been often discussed over many years, and my position on this is pretty well known, as well as apparently shared by many others who write here. Great topic, and very grateful for your interest!!! Thank you.

I'd also be interested in a discussion about preservation cleaning and care. I have a fairly well defined set of rules that I follow for metal objects in my collection, and even though I feel quite comfortable with my techniques I'm sure I have plenty more to learn. Where my knowledge really falls off is in organics. It would be great if the discussion could include information on wood, leather, bone, horn, ivory etc. In fact I was thinking about posting a question specifically about wood which came to me while inspecting the dry state of the palm wood on my recent Moro budiak purchased I posted in another thread. Perhaps it would be worth it to split the discussion into sections to focus on these areas.

[Jim McDougall]

Thank you for the responses on the 'conservation' matters guys!
It is a most valid topic and a key concern for all in the fields of arms study and collecting.
As I have indicated, I am not a collector myself, though I spent many years collecting. Most of the swords I acquired were in varying condition, though typically intact. I forewent many of the qualifying factors that were key for collectors with their preferences toward the condition elements.
Actually most of the swords I acquired I only won because they were pretty much scoffed at by most collectors.

As I say, as a historian (that is I study history via the swords I acquired and examined, not a professional scholar), having examples (even relic state) gave me a field of study in situ. The potential for such study is typically lost as a weapon is 'restored', patination and such archaeological evidence cleaned away, and parts replaced or refabricated, thus becoming modern composite.

There are many weapons which are historically composite, that is refurbished in their working lives, but that they are homogenous in the sense that these were working life alterations render the weapon historically viable. Those real time efforts present more to the actual history of the weapon.

Again, here I am representing my opinions on the study of weapons historically and not at all presenting helpful tips in properly cleaning and maintaining collectible and historic weapons.
I would not only recommend, but implore those of you who are active collectors here, to indeed start a thread on the proper conservation of antique arms, to include replacement components as required.

As someone who has honestly never participated in the in depth cleaning or restoration of a weapon, aside from light use of WD40, leather oils or wood oils, I cannot speak to these matters with any recommendation. I am however grateful to see this serious interest in this matter, and look forward to the placement of a thread pertaining to this topic.
Well placed concerns genthemen, thank you!!!

[awdaniec666]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

I am however grateful to see this serious interest in this matter, and look forward to the placement of a thread pertaining to this topic.

Done