Damaged, Repair, Clean, Preserve Soviet Awards And Documents.

[kameli]

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.

Stahanov,

I am the first! :thumbsup

This subject has been discussed a lot in many forums etc.

To clean the medal from dirt is okay. But to clean the patina away is something that I don´t like personally. :thumbsdown The patina comes with many decades and it belongs to medal. It is also a proof from the age of the medal.

So, clean the dirt with mild soap. Also remember to keep the ribbons in good condition.

But that is just my opinion...

And I haven't met any veteran who cleans his medals shiny. Of course many can do that also, who knows... To keep the dirt away is different action.

regards,
Jussi-Pekka