Ammo 6.5” Harding makeover

[J.H. Moose]

I few months back I posted about my experiences trying to preserve a Confederate Harding shell that was in quite rough shape. I used epoxy in places and some Gempler's but I assumed that I had done all I could since the shell was covered in a stubborn layer of wax.

Since then, while moving the shell for the sake of reorganization, I noticed some rust flakes had come off the bottom and clumps of iron had trickled through the drill hole on the base where the shell had been defused. This made me realize I had not gone far enough and so I decided to do a little bit more to preserve the longevity of the bird and spiff it up some.

I first sanded the old wax off the entire shell, making sure the iron was uncovered to make a bare surface for the Gempler's to react to. I then coated the shell in the stuff thoroughly, inside and out. I then applied more epoxy in some cracks I had missed prior and then poured a healthy amount into the powder cavity to hold any loose flakes together.

I then gave the copper sabot a fizzy bath in a vinegar peroxide bath for a few hours, making sure to occasionally take it out to scrub the sabot to rid it of most of the tarnish. The end result was quite an improvement, I'd say.

I'm very pleased with the end result and I'm happy to give this rare bird a few more years of longevity, although it's definitely been in one piece a lot longer than its original owners intended.

 

[R. Porter]

Nice job!

 

[J.H. Moose]

Nice job!

Thanks

 

[redbob]

Well done , that old warrior is standing tall; looking good and appears to be in some pretty good company..

 

[J.H. Moose]

Well done , that old warrior is standing tall; looking good and appears to be in some pretty good company..

Much obliged! She's come a long way from the swamp

 

[UCVRelics]

Another great job and I see you like the HEAVY metal.

 

[J.H. Moose]

Another great job and I see you like the HEAVY metal.

Much appreciated! I must admit, big shells have quite the appeal