Restore vs Leave alone

[JustinG]

Greetings,
From looking at many sellers and other forum topics, it seems like it is always best to repair or to restore an item to an intact state.
What I am curious about is that there does seem to be a devaluation on a piece that has a post war repair made, some items, up to half of their value is lost.
So, what do you think? Several dealers have badges and medals on their lists and there is quite visibly zinc pest or some other problem with their badges, instead of treating the zinc pest with a bit of petrolium jelly, they put the item up for sale as is. Now, on the same note, if a pin becomes detached from a pin or award, then many will re affix the pin?

If you have a tarnished Luftwaffe honor goblet that has severe stains to it due to the repeated contact of oily skin and the passage of time; is it good to polish with a metal polish or to just take a lint free cloth and wipe clean?

Look forward to the responses.

With Regards,
2dresq

[1corps]

2dresq, very good questions! IMO if the repair is done well it will at least add some value back to the damaged piece. Not full value of course but at least the buyer doesn't have to do much else with it. A bad repair can only effect the value negatively. Cleaning is another story. If there is a chance that the cleaning would expose a situation that could be worse visually then I would not attempt it. Cleaning can leave an unnatural surface that is actually less desirable than a stained or dirty finish. The stain and dirt to many is the natural aging to the piece and gives it that been there look. I prefer this myself. There are many that have taken pieces and cleaned them and they look beautiful but I think you need to examine all the products and techniques well before you attempt. Remember that these pieces are 60-70 years old and will age and tarnish which is a normal process and to many (myself included) it is a primary thing to look for when determining if original. I hope that helped!! Mike.

[CWP]

I find a piece that has post-war repairs far less desirable than something that may have some defects from period wear and use or just from age. I would rather have something that has not been fiddled with. Generally speaking, repair and restoration attempts can only hurt the value to me.

[Jean-Loup]

I find that a piece that has been repaired has no more spirit to it. I prfer a damaged item. The damage occured somehow, and is part of the history of the piece.

[Paul R.]

I have to gree with Chris P., and Jean-L. well stated. This would be like erasing part of history of that garmet.

[1corps]

I am not in favor of repairing items myself, but re-attaching a broken pin to a badge IMO does not destroy its "spirit". Just my 2 cents. Mike.

[Steinar]

double post. forum acted up

[Steinar]

I just want to say something here, if I had 100, say Flak badges, all in mainly good condition, I would loved to own a few damaged ones, and left them like that with the collection. But if I had barely no money, wanted a badge and could only afford a damaged, I would of repaired it, also, it depends of what kind of damage, paint loss is ok (EKs) some bent edges here and there = OK
But I would get the bent pin, the missing catch etc, missing pin etc repaired, but only if I couldn't afford anything mint ish. Hope you know what I mean.

About uniforms, replacing insignia and cloth items is fair enough. At least if it's done by a good handy man / woman and not some drunk person and no handy man skills lol

[1corps]

I fully agree with Steinar! Mike.

[BPA-Paul]

I find that a piece that has been repaired has no more spirit to it. I prfer a damaged item. The damage occured somehow, and is part of the history of the piece.

I have to agree with Jean-Loup, the historical sense and value is much removed with a molested post war piece...Leave it alone !

[Justin P]

Best Left Alone IMO

[wh014d4394]

would you have this restored. are leave alone

[wh014d4394]

such a nice badge. but somethings missing

[Justin P]

I would have that Framed with the right Doc

[wh014d4394]

then you would be wrong. me old mucker.this babys coming back from the dead as soon as i have finished 5 badges off for waf members