Amazing reconstruction and restoration of my 18th century sword guard!!

[Bill D. (VA)]

As some of you may remember, I dug 3 pieces to an 18th century sword guard at a new site back in April. I initially tried coating it with a little mineral oil to keep it from oxidizing, but it quickly dried out. So then I made the fatal mistake of letting it soak for a bit too long in the mineral oil, and it darkened it way too much. I was kicking myself for doing that as I thought it was an irreversible screw-up. But I decided to send it off to a professional and highly skilled relic restoration expert to see what he could do with it, and just got it back in the mail today. I just could not believe the incredible job he did on the guard. You can't see even the slightest indication of where the 3 pieces were joined together, and the patina was somehow returned to just dug condition. It was well worth the time and expense to have this done, and now this historical piece will look awesome in one of my display cases. The first pic below shows the largest piece right after it was dug, and the 2nd shows the guard after the first application of mineral oil had dried. The 3rd shows how I really screwed it up, and the final product is shown in the last image.

 

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[Carolina Tom]

Very glad to see that you got it all straightened out. Congrats a really nice piece of history.

 

[SGT Claddy]

Wow that's amazing

 

[creade]

That looks awesome

 

[jwarner51]

That's incredible how well the pieces have been put together! Looks great

 

[ARC]

He just mailed you his "complete one" from his collection ... :P

Nah... killer job.

 

[CASPER-2]

 

[cjon455]

now THATS something to be proud of right there, absolutely beautiful, cant tell at all it was put back together!

 

[DirtStalker]

Is that Lenard's work or someone else's. Great job

 

[Erik in NJ]

Very nice! Was it Leonard that did the work? I need to get a 15th Regiment of Foot button restored that got wrecked (I have most of the pieces). Pls drop me a PM when you get a chance with the details or the restorer, price, etc. Thanks.

 

[Vino]

Wow!! He did fantastic work!
I'm so glad that you dug that, and took the time and finances to really care for that Historical piece.
Not sure were you are going to put that? But that should go in the case on the top of the steps? Lol..

 

[sutphin]

FINE RESTORATION JOB REMEMBER THE ORIGINAL POST. SOMEONE IS A TRUE ARTISAN. REMARKABLE .

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Wow!! He did fantastic work!
I'm so glad that you dug that, and took the time and finances to really care for that Historical piece.
Not sure were you are going to put that? But that should go in the case on the top of the steps? Lol..

Great minds think alike George. That's exactly where I put it

 

[46Wheat]

That looks incredible

 

[Westfront]

Amazing work! Now it's a real museum piece!

 

[Patriot Relics]

That is an incredible restoration- I dug a similar sword guard and went with a long soak in EVOO. Did darken a bit but was necessary to remove the corrosion. Looks great Bill!

 

[Vino]

That is an incredible restoration- I dug a similar sword guard and went with a long soak in EVOO. Did darken a bit but was necessary to remove the corrosion. Looks great Bill!

View attachment 1184815

Wow Jon!
How many other little surprises are you hiding from us??

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

That is an incredible restoration- I dug a similar sword guard and went with a long soak in EVOO. Did darken a bit but was necessary to remove the corrosion. Looks great Bill!

View attachment 1184815

That's an awesome relic too, and has some very interesting imagery as well. Great job on the restoration!

 

[Limitool]

I agree guy... It does look amazing. Good job you had done!!!!!

 

[brogansown]

We own it to our ancestors and descendants alike to preserve when we can, these precious historic items. Good job Bill and Vino. Hope others will follow your example. And yes I am envious of your fantastic Colonial finds.