07-18-2002, 10:06 PM (This post was last modified: 10-18-2014, 11:49 PM by CtahhR.)
Shane,
If you need to do a minor repair to the document I think the best low tech way to do it is to use cigarette paper and egg white. I have tried it even on some banknotes from my collection, and it works fine.
Alexei
McLenin,
The bad guys making fake entries in the award documents manage to remove original entries very nicely, but the approach to newer entries should be a little different, because the ink hasn't "sunk" into the paper yet.
The solution you use will differ depending on the ink. For regular blue ink I start with moist q-tip, rolling it over the entry, making sure not to leave any fresh marks on the paper. Try not to get the paper too wet. This will remove about 20% of the ink. Let the paper dry for a day, and finish with ink pen dipped in very diluted chlorine solution. Try the solution on other documents first, it should be diluted enought not to remove the background in the document. Try it on some documents that you don't need. for entries made in black synthetic ink start with step two. The result is not perfect, but I think it's acceptable.
Some quick notes on restoration - if this thread is still alive.
Ironing - you can iron any doc unless it is very unstable or has any glue or tape on it. BUT, you do it on low heat and through several layers of clean white, best unbleached, cotton. It is best to do it after the unfold and press under books technique which someone else described.
By the way, I find blunt-end stamp tweezers are great for unfolding folded-up doc corners.
Tape - I have several great huge WWII RKKA maps each made of many smaller maps pasted together. Some are quite torn. I found a roll of special German tape at an art suppliers. I use it on the back of the map where I need to fix tears.
Gum - there is a special gum, like silly-putty, available at museum supply stores. I bought some from England. (I forget the name but can look it up.) It is used to roll on docs and take of surface dirt and oil and grime. BUT, I have found on careful experimentation that most Soviet papers are too poor quality - the surface itself can come off. So I now only use it for really strong post-1970 papers (and not all of them) and uniform fibers.
09-19-2002, 12:03 PM (This post was last modified: 01-01-2013, 08:05 AM by CtahhR.)
Hello,
I was offered this foreign (Bulgarian) award.
Seller claims it was awarded to a Russian:
"It was obviously awarded to a Russian as the pinback suspension has been expertly altered to a Russian style screwback. A silver backplate, with three Russian hallmarks, and a winged silver spinner complete the late 19th or early 20th century alteration."
What do you think? Does this sound like a real story?
Have you seen any foreign awards modified by Russians/Soviets?
I can't really say anything about this particular piece. It could just be a home made repair to replace a missing pin. Other foreign awards do get modified out of necessity, when owners can't find proper replacement parts, or for practical reasons, like to avoid sewing a medal on to the tunic, etc.
Hi
It just occured to me that I have never seen an earthfind of soviet medals. Nazi medals are quite common but were are the soviet awards? If anyone have any idea why the are more uncommon than the german award please post here.
I would also like to see pictures of dug up soviet awards.
I also wonder if anyone have any for sale. Please email or post me if soo.
best wishes
I have seen a dug up Red Star in Northen China. The medal has lost some of its enamel and was in bad condition. I could make out the number and it was clearly a WW2 issue. This was in the city of Shenyang. There was a Soveit war mememorial in the town dedicated to Soveit tank troops. I have some pictures in my mess somewhere.
