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How Do I Care For Antique Firearms?

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Patina on arms and armor is the modification of the original surface finishes through age and wear. Cleaning off discolored varnish or attempting to remove corrosion may drastically alter the condition of the item and significantly affect its value, both historically and monetarily.

Many items have a chemically induced patination applied, which has changed its color, causing bluing or browning. The preservation of this chemical patination, even if it has been subsequently damaged by corrosion, is often critical in determining the condition of the piece.

Safety is the first consideration, always assume that any firearm may be loaded until you have checked for yourself. Never point a weapon at another person. Gunpowder, nitrocellulose propellants, primer material and other explosives, which can be present in larger ordnance, such as grenades and artillery shells, can deteriorate with age, becoming unstable and extremely dangerous.

Make sure you have a clear, clean, safe area on which to place the object before you pick it up. Remember when sheathing and unsheathing bladed weapons not to drag the blade against the side of the sheath as you may damage the blade or the sheath. Weapons may be sharp in unexpected areas. Handles may be loose and a blade falling out could cause a serious injury.

Examine the object carefully to ascertain its condition, making sure it's safe to handle. Always support the object adequately. Hands may leave an oily acidic residue that can cause permanent etching, corrosion and stains. When handling items, wear clean cotton or plastic gloves or wipe the surface clean with a soft lint-free cloth afterwards, taking care not to catch the cloth on small projections.

There are two main categories of firearm: active and passive. Firearms, which may be used occasionally, require a different regimen of care from items, which are not used. Passive firearms can be treated and coated by a professional conservator to protect them from their environment.

For any firearm, dust can be corrosive and abrasive, therefore it must be removed. However, wiping dust off the surface with a cloth can cause scratches. Remove dust with a clean, dry, soft brush, holding a vacuum nozzle nearby to remove the dust. Take care to protect tassels, braid and other textiles. Be careful not to drive the dust into crevices or porous areas. Never use abrasive materials such as sand paper, metal polishes or toothpaste to clean surfaces. Even the finest abrasives will affect the surface. If an item needs cleaning to remove tarnish or corrosion, consult a conservator who specializes in treating these items.

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