Cleaned up basket hilt

[sydnie7]

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]

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]

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

[Highlander31]

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

[bigdad1]

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!!