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Thanks for the answers, guys. I tried cleaning out the medals with Eric's soap n' water, but was not happy with the results. I have a beautiful case to display the medals, and I wanted the awards to look as they did when they were issued (i.e. truly shiny). I went to a goldsmith's with a few different medals to ask his opinion about what to use for cleaning them. He sold me a can of Silvo-brand silver polish wadding and promised it wouldn't hurt the enamel or anything else.
I carefully tested the stuff on the reverse of one award, and got truly amazing results. The cleaned spot shone very brightly! I then got out a particularly grimy labor veteran medal and scrubbed the whole thing thoroughly. After I was done, the medal looked like it was minted yesterday. After working on a few enameled awards, I found that the polish doesn't damage the enamel, quite the contrary: it just makes it shine more! The tests being completed and satisfactory, I proceeded to clean my whole collection.
I'm sure many are ready to brand me a blasphemer because I clean the patina off. But I think this is the way the medals are supposed to be kept. I know if I got a medal I'd keep it clean and care for it, and I think veterans and other awardees who were proud of their awards did the same.
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In the end the choice is up to you. If it makes ya happy then go for it.
But give us some before and after shots please.
"patina imparts character" - PJS
A wise man said: 'you should not pay a premium for what you want beyond your comfort level, and always ensure there is a mutually agreeable return policy.'
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Sergei Wrote:Stahanov,
Since you've decided to clean your medals, have a look at this Australian Veteran's site with instructions on cleaning and after-care.
DVA - Publications - Caring for your wartime memorabilia
Sergei
Interesting articel. I had my Grandfather's WWI medals court mounted and cleaned around 15 years ago. For some reason they put this lacquer on them, at the time they appeared nice and shiny but 15 years down the track the lacquer has somehow accelerated the patina process and they are now quite dull and are dew for another good clean, this time without lacquer.
As mentioned, each to his own, I personally don't clean any of me collection and frame or mount them as they are. As for my Grandfather's medals being cleaned, well that's a story for another time
Just for Doc Riley's info, my Grandfather was a medic on the Somme and I have his war diary and other bits and pieces.
Brendan
"If we come to a minefield, our infantry attacks exactly as it were not there."
Marshall Geogi Zhukov to General Eisenhower, 1945
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I don't polish my Soviet stuff (but I will remove dirt). That's just standard collecting protocol. But... I am a veteran myself, and I would feel like a dirtbag if I wore my own stuff all tarnished. My medals are "Stabrite" (no shine needed), and my original jump wings from 1986 are sterling silver (they need a good, solid brasso'ing every time I break them out). For those of you who once wore a uniform, would it have been acceptable or appropriate to wear dirty and patina-laden medals on your uniform or blazer, even years after you left the service? I think not...
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I think your dad has the right idea: take it to a jeweler.
There's another thread around here about dropping awards. Lemme see if I can find it.
"patina imparts character" - PJS
A wise man said: 'you should not pay a premium for what you want beyond your comfort level, and always ensure there is a mutually agreeable return policy.'
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I'd recommend putting this into context. Warsaws are not hard to get, not expensive, and not individualized with s/n's etc. Unless there is something particularly special about this one, I'd chalk it up to experience, set it aside as a wounded warrior, and go find another. The fix will likely cost more than the medal is worth otherwise.
I've seen fixes on BMs, and have had one or two fixed, and they never look the same as an original. It's a tough one to re-do considering the guys who did the originals did thousands of them. That sort of practice leads to a skill we might not easily find today.
