Tips for caring for antique guns and swords to ensure they retain value
Last Modified 16th of February 2021
Having antique swords and guns on display in your home can certainly lend a touch of authentic period glamour to your decor; however, as is the case with other antiquities like porcelain and sculptures, it’s important these items are cared for properly.
As obvious as it may sound, failing to take the time to maintain prized weapons, whether they’ve been passed down from generation to generation or you collect them as a hobby, means their condition could deteriorate, while their financial value may also drop. With that in mind, here are some of the things you ought to do to make certain your possessions aren’t damaged.
Maintenance tips for antique swords
First off, let’s take a look at oriental swords. These are certainly eye-catching items that look particularly striking when displayed in a cabinet or on a wall rack, but it’s important that you handle them carefully.
As they feature sharp blades, it’s vital you take caution when touching them. Obviously, there is a danger of cutting yourself, so it’s always advisable to wear a pair of thick gloves when taking the sword out of its scabbard. Not only will this reduce the chances of you sustaining a serious injury (even if the sword is several centuries old, it may still be quite sharp), but it’s also worth bearing in mind that prolonged contact with bare skin can cause the metal to rust.
It’s a good idea to prevent excessive amounts of dust and dirt building up on swords by cleaning them regularly. You can do this by rubbing the valuables with a lightly-coloured cloth – this will ensure the material doesn’t leave a mark, while abrasive cleaners should be avoided. If you feel the sword has become excessively blunt over the years and are keen to sharpen it, you should avoid attempting to do this yourself. Instead, you ought to take the device to an expert restorer.
Maintenance tips for antique guns
If, on the other had, you have a collection of antique guns (perhaps those from the first world war or even earlier conflicts), it’s imperative you keep these items free of moisture and dust.
Both of these can damage a gun’s intricate components, so it’s a good idea to place these objects in rooms that are not too humid. In addition, they ought to be cleaned with a dry cotton cloth and only handled when wearing gloves. While placing guns on a rack will help to minimise the chances of them being damaged, you should ensure that padded support is used. Having your guns laid directly on hooks or wire may leave marks on them and end up doing more harm than good.
Invest in comprehensive insurance
While following the above steps will certainly help you to look after your antique swords and guns for many years to come, it’s worth bearing in mind that accidents can, and do, happen. As such, it’s a good idea to invest in high contents cover.
This will provide essential financial protection in the event your possessions are damaged by something like a flood or fire, or are stolen. You should also remember the high net worth of such possessions means they are usually very expensive to repair (they’ll often need to be fixed by a specialist) or replaced, a cost that you may struggle to afford otherwise.
