Marcky
Junior Member
Posts: 20
Metal Dector: Garrett AT Pro International
Years Detecting: 4
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Post by Marcky on Jan 9, 2015 23:53:48 GMT -5
Hi all! Here is by far (in my opinion) my best find of 2014: the Canadian Model 1905/1910 "Mark II" Ross Rifle Bayonet that I found along the Ottawa River back in August (I've been meaning to get some pictures up here for awhile). It's in pretty great shape considering where it was found, with a few bits of the wood handle still remaining. I have been planning on trying to preserve it for awhile, to prevent further oxidation but am not sure how I should go about doing this. A popular method seems to be electrolysis in a baking soda/salt solution (followed by a layer of wax or shellack to seal it), but I'm afraid this might be too harsh and the wood will come off... . Anybody have any suggestions?? Attachments:
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Post by beth on Jan 10, 2015 9:50:53 GMT -5
Ill be seeing a friend who is a museum coservationist this weekend I'll ask her for you:) Better yet I'll ask her to join the board
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Marcky
Junior Member
Posts: 20
Metal Dector: Garrett AT Pro International
Years Detecting: 4
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Post by Marcky on Jan 10, 2015 13:40:18 GMT -5
Thank you Beth, that's perfect! Let me know what they say
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Post by beth on Jan 11, 2015 11:28:45 GMT -5
My friend says that water is to be avoided now that you have uncovered this item. She says to put it in something air tight and to put a packet of water absorber in with it as it us super prone to rust now. The wood on the handle wont tolerate electro cleaning. My friend is going to join the site so I'm sure she will have more information for you. She said that this is an interesting conservation problem That's a great find btw
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Post by Dig'n Phil on Jan 11, 2015 12:03:05 GMT -5
Now that is a cool find!!!
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Marcky
Junior Member
Posts: 20
Metal Dector: Garrett AT Pro International
Years Detecting: 4
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Post by Marcky on Jan 11, 2015 22:01:20 GMT -5
That makes sense to me, I'll have to find a big enough bag for it and then throw in a little pack of silica. Please thank your friend for me as well, the advice is much appreciated I'm sure she comes across all sorts of interesting artifacts in her line of work. And thanks, it was certainly a thrill to find it!
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Post by wabbit on Jan 16, 2015 19:15:44 GMT -5
Well, first of all VERY NICE find. Second of all, any preservation methods that will save the wood will be complicated and time consuming. As Beth has stated, museum conservationists can give you pointers and or show you what to do. An electrolysis cell is the best bet to preserve the steel but would require you to immerse the object in water further degrading the wood. (Click here for my example of a simple cell you can build)I would go to the national war museum and ask to speak to a specialist first. then depending on what he/she says do it. Good luck!
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Marcky
Junior Member
Posts: 20
Metal Dector: Garrett AT Pro International
Years Detecting: 4
|
Post by Marcky on Jan 17, 2015 12:52:08 GMT -5
Thanks Wabbit! Didn't think to contact the war museum, might be hard to get in contact with the correct person, but definitely worth a try. With this snow we have I certainly won't be digging anytime soon, so it will be my winter project to properly preserve the bayonet. I'll post some pictures of the final result when I do eventually get it all cleaned up.
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