NORTHERN EUROPEAN HELMET ZISCHAGGE from the 17 TH Century URGENT NEED HELP !

[Cerjak]

Originally Posted by Matchlock

Hi Cerjak,

I noticed that black varnish already in your first images. It is characteristic old arsenal paint used on many weapons, including firerarms, and items of ironwork as a means of conservation. It should in any case be preserved!

Best,
Michael

Hi Michael
Do you have any idea how I could preserve this paint and in the same time stop the rust .
I only want to preserve this helmet exactly as it is untouched.

Regards

Jean-Luc

[Matchlock]

Hi Jean-Luc,

My recipe proven best for over 30 years - and many hundreds of years of arsenal care before! - is, as always, olive oil.
Not only will it stabilize and preserve the remains of lacquer, it will at the same time intensify the original surface color!

Best,
Michael

[Cerjak]

Thank you Michael I will try.

[SERGIU]

cerjak, I just read the new posts on this thread and it s sunday, but on one working day next week I ll make some photos of our lobster tail helmets and post them here. Black paint was indeed used on our metal items as way of preservation in the past. Currently we use mainly Ballistol weapons oil but olive oil will be tested too starting from now

[Cerjak]

Originally Posted by SERGIU

cerjak, I just read the new posts on this thread and it s sunday, but on one working day next week I ll make some photos of our lobster tail helmets and post them here. Black paint was indeed used on our metal items as way of preservation in the past. Currently we use mainly Ballistol weapons oil but olive oil will be tested too starting from now

Thank you Sergiu
It will be great to see your photos.
Have a nice weekend
Cerjak

[Matchlock]

Originally Posted by Cerjak

Thank you Michael I will try.

Well,

I feel like I should have added one important fact, so here it is:

You might as well not do anything about it and just leave the original surface alone. After all, your fine zischagge has come down to you over about three centuries and it is still there - so don't worry: it won't dissolve or even alter while being being with you.
If there is one thing about conservation of virtually 'untouched' surfaces that I have learned over the decades, it is: just leave them the way they are!!!

Best,
Michael

[Matchlock]

For results please see right bottom corner of description scans.

m

[Cerjak]

Michael,



Thank you to have find the time to send those other Zischagge photos.
Now I can see that my Zischagge is in fantastic condition and also much more elaborate helmet.( specially the The laminated tail &eyeshade )
Of course I have paid much more for it but don't have any regrets.
I will follow your advice and he will have this week end his olive oil and nothing else !
You should with your experience write a thread about the Gun & armour preservation and cleaning it will be useful for a lot of collector .
You can imagine how many antique guns I have already seen polish like brand new :Many people using "dremel" & acid are killing patina and marks
Kind regards
CERJAK

[Matchlock]

Hi Cerjak,


Thank you for taking the words right out of my mouth on preserving patina and causing as little surface change as possible!

I, too, have seen too many completely overcleaned and brutally ruined pieces and have often uttered my opinion here on the forum. There are different opinions on this matter however, which we all have to accept in the end.

And: as long as museum people keep killing patina and presenting surfaces shining 'as new' - which those items mostly had not when they were actually new hundreds of years ago! - the collector's view will be spoiled and he too will tend to follow the 'example' given by so-called 'authorities' and will kill the surfaces of his weapons as well ...

Finally, you are absolutely correct about the fact that the solid quality of your Zischagge cannot be compared with the lesser items I posted, so you really should not worry about paying more!


Thanks again for getting the point,
and best,
Michael