Cleaned up basket hilt

**Nighthawk** · 4th November 09, 09:16 PM

It looks great! What did you use to clean it? I have my great grandfather's saber from the Civil War- in near perfect condition, aside from tarnish- and I would love to clean it.

**sydnie7** · 4th November 09, 09:39 PM

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

It looks great! What did you use to clean it? I have my great grandfather's saber from the Civil War- in near perfect condition, aside from tarnish- and I would love to clean it.

I'd be sure to check with an expert before touching that. How many times have the appraisers on Antiques Roadshow said "And if it hadn't been cleaned, it would be worth. . . [insert some multiple of the quote here]." You can easily ruin a valuable piece or seriously damage its worth.

Just my $0.02 / IMHO / YMMV!

**BroosterB1** · 4th November 09, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by sydnie7

I'd be sure to check with an expert before touching that. How many times have the appraisers on Antiques Roadshow said "And if it hadn't been cleaned, it would be worth. . . [insert some multiple of the quote here]." You can easily ruin a valuable piece or seriously damage its worth.

Just my $0.02 / IMHO / YMMV!

Yup Tarnish = Patina
Patina= Age
Age= $

Hawk this is especially true if you have documentation on your kin's saber, you may never sell it, but you sure don't want to lose value just to make something "Pretty".

**MarkMcM** · 5th November 09, 01:09 AM

Don't mess with it. More harm has come from well intentioned cleanings than you know.

**Highlander31** · 5th November 09, 04:09 PM

Nice work. Is the red material original, or did you replace that as well?

**bigdad1** · 7th November 09, 12:26 AM

Originally Posted by MarkMcM

Don't mess with it. More harm has come from well intentioned cleanings than you know.

Which I blame on my Mother for making me wash my face when I was little and still cute. Now look at me. She swore a little soap and water never hurt anyone. HAH!!

**macwilkin** · 5th November 09, 09:27 PM

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

It looks great! What did you use to clean it? I have my great grandfather's saber from the Civil War- in near perfect condition, aside from tarnish- and I would love to clean it.

NOOOOOO!!!

DO NOT CLEAN AN ORIGINAL SABRE FROM THAT PERIOD!

I have seen that so many times when I was working at the battlefield. It destroys much of the value of the weapon according to a collector friend of mine.

T.