Helmet conservation

[V.I.D.]

Hi everyone, I need a favor in regards to helmet conservation. This is Serbian Volunteer Corps helmet, so called Cacak model. As you can tell, there is rust on side and it is not in greatest of shape. Having said that, I would love to prevent any further deterioration and to stabilize it in its current shape.

I am complete novice in helmets so I would appreciate any suggestions in terms what would be the best thing to use to remove the rust and would it be a good idea to cover it with a protective coat of some sort. Is it best to simply leave it alone?

Any and all suggestions are highly appreciated.

[V.I.D.]

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[V.I.D.]

more......

[V.I.D.]

and last ones.....

[keifer kahn]

Hi Vid,

The basics of any conservation is controlling the environment.

You need as practically possible, an environment at 50% humidity.
This is a museum recomendation. I use this rule and it does keep things
stable. Rule of thumb= 65% + humidity equals rust Below 30%= leather
drying out. 50% Is a happy medium.

I would recommend a Humdifier and Hyrgrometer (humidity gauge) for
your collecting area. Some dehumidifiers come with hygrometers and i
would suggest a dehumidifer that you can preset the level you desire.

As for the helmet, keep it at the recommended humidity and the rust
cannot get worse.From what i can see it is inert and stable.
Removing inert rust will achieve nothing and you will end up with obvious clean
patches which will detract from the appearance and of course other collectors
will say its been fiddled with.Rust unfortunately , once it becomes inert, is a form
of deterioative patina. So do nothing.

Do not oil , polish or clean it. A regular dusting with a shaving brush is
all you need to do.

Regards KK

[V.I.D.]

Thank you so much for all the tips and recommendations you provided here and via PM, keifer kahn!

[juoneen]

V.I.D. leave it as is....do not clean it...sometimes there are names written in pencil, or stamps that cant be seen well you may remove in the process....just leave it as is and AC in the summer is good, not swamp cooler where water cools the air through pads in your house....dry is good moist is not, nice helmet, looks almost like a cz .

[V.I.D.]

Thank you juoneen. This model (M34 Kingdom of Yugoslavia designation), was indeed based/licensed on earlier Czech model and then upgraded and made in Cacak, city in western Serbia.