Once in a lifetime,should I stop??

[civilman1]

I really can't confirm it ,but I think it's a 1853 English Enfield hammer.Put it under electrolysis for about 10hr's,got some result's,should I continue....I will never find another,do you think I should continue or risk losing it700ma's and 8vdc,homemade jobber.Any idea's or suggestion's.Thank's....before and after pic's

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A History of Mining on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska - Grab it through Amazon!

[Jeffro]

If you are happy with the results then by all means stop. I take it you won't be letting this piece go for awhile? then its what ever you are happy with. The thinnest part of it seems to have come out ok, so I would guess the rest ought to be ok as its thicker, but I've never done anything like this, just a guess.

 

[Nana40]

Wow! That's looking great Civil!

 

[SHERMANVILLE ILLINOIS]

Civil,

your call.

It looks good. If it was mine I would wash that sucker off,
put it in the oven for a few days slow dry, big coat of oil,
wax it down and leave it as is.

Again, your call.

Very nice.

have a good un.......

 

[Klaatu]

It looks great to me. I would leave good enough alone.

 

[hollowpointred]

if it were mine i would stop now. i think it looks pretty good. why risk it?

 

[Michigan Badger]

civilman1 your hammer looks a lot like the one I just received. I purchased mine from a guy who dug it along with many other rifle parts at Bull Run. I also have the trigger guard and barrel parts.

Your hammer looks great now but it's your call. Some guys clean them all the way down---it's really your call and what you like best. Cleaning these won't hurt the value like cleaning coins can do.

Personally, if I cleaned mine down as far as you have yours, I'd probably go all the way and then dry it out and coat it with some protective coating like wax or one of those non-yellowing clear synthetic sprays.

Once you remove the relic from the ground the oxidation process starts over again. Corrosion (patina) in combination with the limited air source under ground is nature?s way of protecting the base metal. Once an object is dug the exposure to air will cause new corrosions to form. It will work very slowly but in time it can eat up more metal. After I dry my relics I?ll probably use a non-glossy clear spray (made for metal) on them. Quality sprays are now available and last indefinitely. Once they?re applied correctly they are nearly invisible and keep out the air.

Your piece will look great if you stop now or clean it more. Whatever you decide to do, you dug it and you can't beat that combo!

 

[civilman1]

Thank's everyone for your input...I think I'll "dress" it up for display.Being from Antietam,like to see it around for another 150+yrs.Thank's again and HH!!

 

[1liquigirl]

Civil, I'd soak it in Coke to get the rest of the rust areas off, make sure it's rinsed well afterwards and then use the spray coat as mentioned above. Great looking piece!

 

[civilman1]

Thank's 1Liquigirl....Do you really think the "coke" bath will improve it?I'll give it a shot but for how long...Thank's and HH!!

 

[1liquigirl]

It will take off the rest of the rust for you. I'm soaking 150 year old iron block and tackle pieces, various chains and nails right now. Give it a few days soak, up to a week should do it. My pieces are looking close to new right now. On a few days soak. Check out my pieces in Today's Finds and listed under 1800's McCoy Estate Foundation. Just make sure you rinse it off well afterwards and then coat it with spray.

 

[The Seeker]

Soak it in motor oil.....and just wash it off when done.......I have seen stuff soaking for a week or weeks and come out nice ,the oil will help preserve the iron.....good luck