Question on Polishing/Cleaning

[General Casey]

So this morning my boss brought in a very rusted 1872 Cavalry Officer Saber and an unknown bayonet. He wants to polish and clean them to sell them. Should he polish and clean them? Some people say yes, others say no.

 

[UCVRelics]

Without some photos to go by its hard to say, but I'm one of those who like to leave as is.

 

[JOHN42768]

"very rusted" surface only or into the metal?

 

[James N.]

So this morning my boss brought in a very rusted 1872 Cavalry Officer Saber and an unknown bayonet. He wants to polish and clean them to sell them. Should he polish and clean them? Some people say yes, others say no.

Since his goal is to sell them, I expect he'll do best if they are cleaned.

 

[Seduzal]

That's his call but sometimes after you clean the rust off you also lose any identity marks.

 

[James N.]

I want to elaborate and say that supposing he does clean them, it should be with a view to remove the rust and make them as presentable as possible and NOT to use harsh chemicals or grinding wheels or other abrasives that will damage them. There have been good descriptions and advice given in the forum in the past on how to achieve rust removal without damaging the item(s) involved and you would do well to seek the old threads out and advise him accordingly.