Patina Removal....

wilhitr

Jr. Member
Jan 6, 2013
25
8
Benton
Detector(s) used
Minelab XT 705 & Tesoro Tejon
Primary Interest:
Relic Hunting
I found 3 CW bullets Saturday. One looks to have been chewed on like a "pain bullet,,' I'm about 70% sure thats what it is, but it has a lot of patina on it and to be 100% sure I would have to soak it to get it off.... I would never consider selling it or any of the many CW bullets I've found...
But I can't decide if i should remove it or just leave it be...
Thoughts?
 

from what I gather over %90 of "Pain ",bullets are animal chewed.................I know I have found a few chewed bullets and have never hunted anywhere there would be significant Pain
 

Upvote 0
never remove the patina.

it will look like a new reproduction you chewed on.

I'll let the experts say more, most I'd do is wash it in dish soap
& I'm not even sure that's smart
:tongue3:
 

Upvote 0
Patina is normally a word associated with aged copper/brass. CW bullets being lead...are you talking about oxidation? I typically clean any 3 ringer or enfield I find with soap and water.
 

Upvote 0
Don't even use the soap, just water and a soft brush. I agree that most of the chewed bullets we find are hog or squarrel, not human. Put a cw bullet in your mouth and bite down. You will break a tooth before you put a big ole gash in the bullet.
 

Upvote 0
Patina is normally a word associated with aged copper/brass. CW bullets being lead...are you talking about oxidation? I typically clean any 3 ringer or enfield I find with soap and water.


Thanks, you saved me from having to type that.
 

Upvote 0
Patina is everything that happens to an object over the course of time. The nick in the leg of a table, a scratch on a table top, the loss of moisture in the paint, the crackling of a finish or a glaze in ceramics, the gentle wear patterns on the edge of a plate. All these things add up to create a softer look, subtle color changes, a character. Patina is built from all the effects, natural and man-made, that create a true antique.
 

Upvote 0
I found 3 CW bullets Saturday. One looks to have been chewed on like a "pain bullet,,' I'm about 70% sure thats what it is, but it has a lot of patina on it and to be 100% sure I would have to soak it to get it off.... I would never consider selling it or any of the many CW bullets I've found...
But I can't decide if i should remove it or just leave it be...
Thoughts?
The patina can add to it's value like with coins, just water and soap will do in the collection of your relics. HH Boris:4leafclover:
 

Upvote 0
I generally use the term patina only for brass, copper, or bronze but I have also used the term for aged cast iron items I sell on eBay. Patina - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Myself I would use the term oxidation on lead, pewter, aluminum or pot metal but using Websters definition, it seems proper to say my face has obtained a beautiful patina after 5 months in the swamp ha ha.

patina.jpg
 

Last edited:
Upvote 0

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top