Opinion on this Ostmedal (is this zinkpest?)

[Spoonman]

I'm rather obsessive. I've treated it with vaseline before, and I was thinking about doing it again. What would you do? I see someone mentioned some EDTA stuff that deactivates the unstable zinc molecules or something, but I'd rather not destroy the medal in the process with harsh chemicals.

Also, I've used Renwax, have some handy, too, but I tried applying it to a different Ostmedal once before, and it looked like snowman poo when I was done.

P.s. Is this even zinkpest?

P.p.s. How long would a medal in this shape last?

P.p.p.s. It's J.E. Hammer and Sohne

[Antonio Scapini]

I don't know the EDTA stuff you were speaking about, but I'm sure I would let the medal as it is. It is in fact a very beautiful Ost.

[Spoonman]

I don't know the EDTA stuff you were speaking about, but I'm sure I would let the medal as it is. It is in fact a very beautiful Ost.

That's my opinion, too. The range of Ostmedals I've seen recently has been pretty yucky.

[VonPeter]

I cant see any zinkpest.

/peter

[Jean-Claude]

I agree with Antonio and Von Peter, it looks like a very nice Ostfront medal that should be left alone. Not all zink is prone to zinkpest and true "feinzink" as used on early zink pieces isnt as fragile as the later one (called pot metal or Kriegsmetal with all kinds of additives like lead, antimoine etc.)

To me, the different colour on the stahlhelm (near the rim) looks like a remnant of the original silver finish that was applied (plated?) over the zink when the medal was made. Not sure if mine is same maker or even maker marked (its in a frame) but I think it has the same plated silver finish as yours had.

Regards

JC