swords are tools also, right??

[coldfoot_luke]

So I'm refinishing an antique dresser for a coworker, and he might be bringing some more work in the near future - he has an old 1800's cavalry sword to refinish and display.

For the blade, it's no problem to refinish, resurface and hone... but apparently a few years ago someone else was going to refinish it, and lost the hilt, so I'm researching how to make a replacement. Still doing homework to make it more period-accurate.

Has anyone done something similar to this?

 

[Kracin]

question, has he determined that the value of it is minimal if he gets it refinished vs leaving it original?

 

[montanafordman]

question, has he determined that the value of it is minimal if he gets it refinished vs leaving it original?

This was my first thought. Usually refinishing antique stuff like this destroys the value.

 

[woody 73]

Know clue about swords but you want to ask a forum that deals with your topic like this one:

http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/43-swordsmithing/

 

[t4runner]

If swords are the same as firearms then refinishing will destroy its value. That is if it has any to begin with

 

[oldtools]

Not a good idea to refinish antique.

 

[shoggoth80]

Swords are like firearms in the value aspect. Refinished = ruined as far as collector value goes. Preservation and conservation are the name of the game in old weapons.

 

[sweetcretin]

What everyone is trying to say is that he should take it to someone who specializes in preservation of historic military blades. The advantage being that the specialist can make the initial determination if the blade is even real before putting big money into preservation. Military blades may be the most counterfeited historic item on the planet.

 

[coldfoot_luke]

Well, right now there is no value - it's just a rusty blade. Someone already took it apart and lost the hilt. If I take this project, it's just to make a new hilt, clean up the blade, and make a display case for it.

 

[Bigplum]

Still worth getting it checked out, making the hilt won't hurt the value ,
Old and rusty may be worth $$$ , check out the sunken Bugatti. It was dragged from a Italian lake after 70 odd years , in auction it made more than a running one

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-s...500-paid-for-bugatti-in-the-lake-1878767.html