Dieter3 Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 I really, really like this medal, not sure why. I don't know much about it other than it is an agricultural merit award. It's in great condition. A bit of light soiling to the ribbon and a patina to the front of the medallion (which I'm guessing could be cleaned, but I'm gonna leave it...) are about the only detractors, it's in really great condition. One of you might remember this one.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kryptos Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 It is indeed a good looking item. And the general law I live by with medals, unless you really need to, never clean. Almost without fail items are worse off after being messed with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dieter3 Posted December 9, 2009 Author Share Posted December 9, 2009 It is indeed a good looking item. And the general law I live by with medals, unless you really need to, never clean. Almost without fail items are worse off after being messed with. About the only thing I would ever do would be to attempt to remove obvious dirt from a metal component - no touching of ribbons for sure! Polishing - I'm a bit torn on that one, have to look at all other factors of a piece - but I've never done it. I know some people do. I did have one person actually tell me about washing ribbons to make them look cleaner on pieces that were heavily soiled! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jareth Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 (edited) Very nice medal ! what were these awarded for? Edited December 9, 2009 by Jareth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dieter3 Posted December 9, 2009 Author Share Posted December 9, 2009 Well, it is a merit medal of some kind. What exactly earned this particular award? Unknown, but if I had to guess it would likely have been for agricultural services rendered to perhaps the military or a community?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kryptos Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 About the only thing I would ever do would be to attempt to remove obvious dirt from a metal component - no touching of ribbons for sure! Polishing - I'm a bit torn on that one, have to look at all other factors of a piece - but I've never done it. I know some people do. I did have one person actually tell me about washing ribbons to make them look cleaner on pieces that were heavily soiled! Yes, dirt is one things, if you can easily take it off, but any method using chemical or abrasion means? I would not. It would, now doubt, damage the patina and that would take ages to become uniform again. I know this area can perhaps lead to a huge debate on the issue as there are different approaches and outlooks, but personally I would never do it. Reminds me of this article I saw on non-destructive rust removal on medals using electrolysis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dieter3 Posted December 10, 2009 Author Share Posted December 10, 2009 Especially if you have an otherwise aged-looking piece - it would simply not make sense (to me anyway....) to polish a medal when the ribbon is aged. Though I could understand shining up an otherwise very nice medallion on a very nice ribbon to make it look more uniformly "minty". I've got a few that fit that description, but I have not polished them - I'm very reluctant to do so as I think chemicals belong far away from medals. I'm too clumsy, I'd ruin the rest of the piece accidentally. But I won't fault someone if they choose to beautify something, provided it would appear appropriate to the age of the rest of the piece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kryptos Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Especially if you have an otherwise aged-looking piece - it would simply not make sense (to me anyway....) to polish a medal when the ribbon is aged. Though I could understand shining up an otherwise very nice medallion on a very nice ribbon to make it look more uniformly "minty". I've got a few that fit that description, but I have not polished them - I'm very reluctant to do so as I think chemicals belong far away from medals. I'm too clumsy, I'd ruin the rest of the piece accidentally. But I won't fault someone if they choose to beautify something, provided it would appear appropriate to the age of the rest of the piece. Suppose it also matter what the item is. For example, a good friend of mine collects Japanese swords. It is perfectly OK and recommended to restore an old sword and resharpen it and such. Increases the value, do the same with a European sword and the collecting community will lynch you. In the German medal area I know of no one who would risk polishing and cleaning unless it is very specific circumstances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dieter3 Posted December 11, 2009 Author Share Posted December 11, 2009 I'm not a sword collector (though if I was, it'd be Japanese swords! - Too many fakes though I hear, so really gotta know what you're looking at!). I do collect Japanese bayonets though, and most serious collectors look down on any serious messing with them - definitely a no, no to do any sort of sharpening, rebluing, polishing beyond maybe just simply surface rust removal. The real hard core blokes don't even want to see grip screws with any signs of being touched by a driver and turned! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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