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**burke65** · 04-05-2008, 12:45 PM

riker mounts/ boxs

i have a archival catalog form a company and in the catalog it said riker mounts are not good for long time archival storage . but i donot know why i have my badges in them.

**Stu W** · 04-05-2008, 01:19 PM

Long term?

Hi guys,

I've heard conflicting reports on these myself. Do they define "long term"? I know guys who have had both Tombac and Zinc based war badges in them for 5+ years with no negative effects that are apparent.

Might there be different backing material inserts?

I'm looking forward to more info as I am sure many of us would like to know. Can anyone assist here?

Regards,
Stu

**rexmundi** · 04-05-2008, 01:54 PM

The cardboard that the boxes are made from are acid free. The backing material isn't..

I have covered the backing material with velvetine,

**Stahlhelm** · 04-05-2008, 03:26 PM

Originally posted by rexmundi View Post

The cardboard that the boxes are made from are acid free. The backing material isn't..

I have covered the backing material with velvetine,

Hmmmm. Of course, if you've found that information, I have no reason to doubt you. Thanks! It's just so confusing why they would make them half-way archival. It seems so much more sensible to go ahead and use archival backing material as well, so they can advertise them as fully archival. If there was a head-scratching smilie, I'd be using that one righ now.

Chris

P.S. I even once heard an otherwise knowledgeable person insist that since these are also used for insect display the polyester batting is infused with some type of preservative, obviously not good for militaria. I never heard this mentioned by another, although I admit I've been curious and a bit paranoid ever since.

**Paul R.** · 04-05-2008, 06:26 PM

Riker frame mounts are safe for the short term storage. 6-8 months. Yes the paper/cardboard stock they use(not the term riker frames company uses to denfine there products) is not 100% acid free(cost cutting measures). Of course the lining is bad(it should be replaced before using).The covering over the cardboard is somewhat archivaly okay. One reason they sell them so cheap. Most museums do not use riker frames peroid. Most hard core archival supply companies do not handle them. If you want a frame system for storage use either alum, or acrylic frames. These will not deteriorate over the long run. Paul

**Stu W** · 04-05-2008, 06:40 PM

Thanks Paul.

Hi Paul,

I was hoping you would see this thread and comment. OK, so if we use aluminium or acrylic frames what do you recomend for soft backing to rest the awards on?

Regards,
Stu

**Stahlhelm** · 04-05-2008, 09:24 PM

Paul may correct me on this, but I'm going to suggest a layer of water-washed, unbleached muslin over a layer or two of fleece. Both of those materials are archival, so that should at least be an option. Machine washing the muslin in the washer with water only and no detergent will remove the starching material which is in the muslin, when you buy it.

Again, I could be corrected later, but I think that should at least be an option.

Chris

**Paul R.** · 04-06-2008, 08:35 AM

Chris is correct. Muslin(natural cotton unbleached) polybatting, (for stuffing pillows, quilts a fabric store product) ethafoam archival safe. Fleece non colored. Some off brand fleece (china made) does not have color safe dyes. White or neutral colored fleece. Fleece will not attract moisture. Look at my pinned article on archival mounting medals and ribbons for some ideas. Always wash, or rinse fabric with out laundry soap. Remember There are a lot of companies that only sell a few archival products not everything they sell is archival safe.

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