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ot: old sword

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wfw

09-06-2006 10:00:27

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Mom passed away in june, I got the family civil war sword but it needs to be cleaned, also it has some minor rust spots on it. I need some way to clean it and remove the rust without harming its value. not interested in selling, just want it looking better. Thanks for the sugestions.

frank

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Gary in Mozarks

09-07-2006 08:36:09

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Re: ot: old sword in reply to wfw, 09-06-2006 10:00:27

I will probably get some people cranked up on this one, but I collect old military stuff and I even shoot one of the old guns now and then. I really get tired of hearing people say don't do this, or that, you will ruin the value, Is money the only thing that motivates anyone anymore? They want you to keep it in the condition they prefer, It's YOUR sword. If you want to drill holes in it and use it for a flyswatter, thats your business. If you want to oil it and clean it with 000 steel wool, why not? And if you don't, that's ok too. What would your grandfather have done to it? So long as you enjoy it, have a good time.

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Wild Bill

09-08-2006 06:51:41

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Re: ot: old sword in reply to Gary in Mozarks , 09-07-2006 08:36:09

Right on Gary!

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wfw

09-07-2006 07:39:14

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Re: ot: old sword in reply to wfw, 09-06-2006 10:00:27

thanks for all the replys. the sword was carried by one of my ancesters on my fathers side of the family, not sure which one, on the conferate side as I live in nc. I have it in a locked gun cabinet inside the house and there it will stay until i can get an appraiser to look at it and advise me. it was made in the family blacksmith shop.

frank

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lucasss

09-06-2006 19:38:43

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Re: ot: old sword in reply to wfw, 09-06-2006 10:00:27

collected some jap swords since i was a kid and i can agree with most other posts here, do not put steel wool to it or anything else. if its a keeper the value will be top in its original condition. i saw a jap sword a freind has that would have been worth a few thousand if he hadnt polished it to get rust pits off. he took about 2/3 value off it by polishing it.my favorite jap sword is one an old freind gave me ,he brought it back from iwo jima when he came home.got a picture of him with it there.just that means alot to me.the ones i dont know the history on dont mean much to me..do you know the history of the sword? if you had a pic of your realative from the civil war with it that wold be great. lucas

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MarkB_MI

09-06-2006 19:27:33

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Re: ot: old sword in reply to wfw, 09-06-2006 10:00:27

As others have said, do not touch it with anything until a qualified appraiser has looked at it. If it is valuable, I'm sure there are acceptable ways to restore it. I'm equally sure that if you try to clean it yourself, you will only lower its value.

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Bud in NC

09-06-2006 17:42:49

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Re: ot: old sword in reply to wfw, 09-06-2006 10:00:27

If I felt that I absolutely HAD to do something to it, I *might* put some 3-in-one oil on it. Get that puppy appraised before you do something that"ll cost you *and* the sword a BUNCH!!!!

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dr.sportster

09-06-2006 14:37:20

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Re: ot: old sword in reply to wfw, 09-06-2006 10:00:27

My two cents is nothing but a cotton rag until you get a professional opinion of an actual appraiser.How many times do you hear on Antiques Roadshow"well if you hadnt done...

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monomechanical

09-06-2006 14:18:53

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union or confederate? in reply to wfw, 09-06-2006 10:00:27

If it were mine, I would beat that sword into a plowshare, weld a three point bracket to it and see if it would plow. I need a chisel plow.

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Midwest redneck

09-06-2006 14:13:51

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Re: ot: old sword in reply to wfw, 09-06-2006 10:00:27

I would soak it in oil, not WD-40. And see if any rust comes off.

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Vern-MI

09-06-2006 12:37:19

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Re: ot: old sword in reply to wfw, 09-06-2006 10:00:27

Try going to this sword collectors forum and post your problem there as they should be most knowledgeable. Beware a question like that might bring similar response to the dreaded "Why is there a cotter pin in the bottom of my bell housing"?

Sword collector forum

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Mike M

09-06-2006 12:29:58

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Re: ot: old sword in reply to wfw, 09-06-2006 10:00:27

DON'T TOUCH IT !!! At least until you get some professional opinions. I see more stuff on antique road show that was seriously devalued by good intentions cleaning. Seems like the more original it is the better,rust and all.

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Red Dave

09-06-2006 12:23:55

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Re: ot: old sword in reply to wfw, 09-06-2006 10:00:27

Don't do anything to it until you have it appraised by someone who knows antique swords.

I don't know who to tell you to ask, but I would contact a civil war museum and talk to the curator. He (or she) should be able to give you a few names of competant appraisers. Also ask them about proper conservation/preservation practices. I would strongly suggest that you do not try to clean it before talking to those type of folks. I would hate to see you do something you may regret later.

If it is an authentic civil war sword, get it authenticated, insured, and properly preserved. That way you can pass it down to your family for many generations to appreciate and enjoy. A family heirloom like that is a great way to connect to past generations.

At least, that's what I would do if it were mine.

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Charlie in NY

09-06-2006 11:48:57

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Re: ot: old sword in reply to wfw, 09-06-2006 10:00:27

I would not use ANYTHING abrasive just yet. Wipe it with penetrating oil on clean rags to clear away the loose crud and scale. A compound like FLITZ will polish without scratching if it is in relativey good shape. Toothpaste and a soft bristle brush, with gentle pressure, followed with a thorough oiling may also help.

Anything that scratches or removes metal will also remove 90% of any collector value. That's true of coins, buckles or swords. Polishing with steel wool is called "whizzing" and will turn a $1,000 sword into a $100 one in three minutes. You said you don't want to sell it, but you don't want to ruin it either.

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Wild Bill

09-06-2006 10:22:21

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Re: ot: old sword in reply to wfw, 09-06-2006 10:00:27

gun oil and "00" steel wool. VERY lightly scrub it away. After you get it cleaned up, keep a light film of oil on it, just like a firearm.

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mjbrown

09-06-2006 11:20:11

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Re: ot: old sword in reply to Wild Bill, 09-06-2006 10:22:21

I would use bronze wool rather than steel. Bronze is softer than steel and can't hurt it. I'm sure I've read somewhere not to use steel wool on old guns. Make a mistake and it will be permenant. Check some more espescially if it is confederate.

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