Any Ideas On How to Restore Der Stahlhelm?

[John Bart]

Hi All,
I picked up this badge quite some time ago in an antique store "junk box."
The enamel was split, chipped and cracked throuhout most of the piece. I often wondered what the metal background field beneath the enamel looked like. So I began to painstakingly remove all the enamel. As you can see in the pics I got most of it off. There are a few "stubborn" spots though that simply refused to come free.
Can anyone suggest an "enamel removal method" which will not destroy the
underlying metal. Also has anyone ever "re-enamelled" a badge like this before?
Any tips and/or techniques would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
.... John

[John Bart]

Another shot...............

[John Bart]

Reverse.... I also removed the pin as it was loose

[Christian L]

a really difficult question!
i know, that there exist "colors" / "paint" for reparing enamelle chips, but if you could repair such great loos?

to remove all and enamelle it new?

i think this is very difficult and costs much - if this would be worth for doing so?

i would leave it in the condition it is now, because you can see, how the ground looks

christian

[John Bart]

a really difficult question!
i know, that there exist "colors" / "paint" for reparing enamelle chips, but if you could repair such great loos?

to remove all and enamelle it new?

i think this is very difficult and costs much - if this would be worth for doing so?

i would leave it in the condition it is now, because you can see, how the ground looks

christian

Hi Christian,
Thanks for your reply.
............. John

[Terry K.]

Hi John,

A jeweler could re-enamel that badge and one would be hard pressed to tell it. I knew a medal collector/ dealer/ jeweler that would re-enamel medal and they were great.

[John Bart]

Hi John,

A jeweler could re-enamel that badge and one would be hard pressed to tell it. I knew a medal collector/ dealer/ jeweler that would re-enamel medal and they were great.

Hi Terry K,
Thanks for the tip!
.... John