Leave it? Or clean it??

[MarkB.]

Hello to all!
I recently came upon this item. Apparentely it's a second class iron cross which was dug up from the Eastern Front. After reading numerous threads on here i don't know what to do for the best. Leave it as it is or attempt to clean it up??
Your opinions will be grateully received.Thanks in advance.
Mark.

[Woolgar]

It looks like a Souval I would leave it as it is

Nick

[Van]

yeah, at this point trying to clean it would probably damage it...
Van

[Douglas 5]

Not a Souval ..... the ring is marked 25 .
Beyond any cleaning now , just leave it .

Douglas

[dhcoleterracina]

Leave it, you won't be happy with what you get after.

[luftkrieg]

Personally I would leave it.

Pierce

[Stu W]

I agree with Douglas that it is not a Souval and would leave it alone. If you try any restoration or cleaning you may just end up with a pile of rust. It is interesting how the swas shape is still recognizable through the rust.

Regards,
Stu

[AUSGANG]

I started out collecting relic EKs. This is a typical example. No reason to clean it or do anything. If you want a 25 in better shape you can just buy one very easily. Post it in the Ground Dug Forum and you'll make lots of new friends:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...play.php?f=236

[hkusp40]

Leave it as is, IMHO. -Ger

[Snni]

I agree, leave it as it is. You could buy another in better condition and display them together.

[MarkB.]

Thankyou all for your advice. I have decided to leave it as it is. I might see if i can seal it in some way to stop it getting worse, other than that it will remain a rusty 2nd class iron cross. Thanks to you all again.
All the best.
Mark.

[Hartigan]

Thankyou all for your advice. I have decided to leave it as it is. I might see if i can seal it in some way to stop it getting worse, other than that it will remain a rusty 2nd class iron cross. Thanks to you all again.
All the best.
Mark.

Maybe you should take this question to the conservation/safe keeping section...I would also like to know what can be done to prevent further oxidation on metal items like this one. I guess once the process of oxidation starts then deterioration is accelerated few folds...

[AUSGANG]

I was told that gun oil will stop the rust...

[don_kihotis7]

Maybe you should take this question to the conservation/safe keeping section...I would also like to know what can be done to prevent further oxidation on metal items like this one. I guess once the process of oxidation starts then deterioration is accelerated few folds...

I agree. If it's not cleaned it will continue to rust further until it will fall apart. On the other hand if it's cleaned i.e. using electrolysis the rust will dissolve leaving holes behind.

[petopoint]

Beyond Help

It's at a state where the only plausible solution would be to leave it as is. I agree that if you try oiling or clean it will only flake away parts of the cross or change of appearance you might regret later. I guess it's safe to say this Cross has an Iron rather than Brass core.