I've inherited a couple of lovely swords from a grandparent from the English civil war era. They've been neglected a bit but I'd love to clean them up and display them. Any ideas how I would go about polishing the blades to a mirror finish and sharpening them. Would a Dremel hand tool be a relevant thing to use?
Any useful ideas welcome. Thanks.
2007-06-19 04:17:07 · 3 answers · asked by First Ascent 4 Thistle 7 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
First, DO NOTHING...research this carefully! Many antiques go DOWN in value significantly if treated improperly- including "polishing".
2007-06-19 06:46:58 · answer #1 · answered by glenn 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT clean them like you suggest. The value is in the age and if you remove that you have removed all of the value. Don't do it. It is a sure way to destroy the weapon and to ruin it for all time, not just yours. Simply use a tiny bit of soap and water, at most, or even better, just dust it lightly with a cloth, and leave it at that. Contact an antique dealer that is local to you and they will help you display it properly.
2007-06-19 12:43:51 · answer #2 · answered by John B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't even dream of doing what you have suggested. Make contact with a military museum and ask for professional advice. The armoury(?) at the Tower of London; the Army Museum near the Chelsea Hospital or the Victoria and Albert museum in South Kensington. I don't think you should even take off loose rust yourself when they are so old. They are proably not the sort of steel that would take a shine anyway.
but I think you are very lucky to own them. Don't do anything your grandchildren might regret!
2007-06-19 11:34:46 · answer #3 · answered by man of kent 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋